Knowing Tongue Disease and How to Overcome It

Tongue disease can be caused by a variety of things, ranging from nutritional deficiencies, weak immune systems, to lifestyle, such as smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages. Most tongue diseases do not require special treatment and can heal on their own. But you must be vigilant if symptoms do not improve or complaints cause interference with daily activities. The existence of the tongue is very important because this one organ allows humans to talk, taste, and chew and swallow. Because of its important function, of course we will feel disturbed if you experience tongue disease. A healthy tongue is generally wet, pink or pink, covered by a thin whitish membrane on the surface. Changing the color of the tongue from pink to another color can be a sign that the body is ill. This is the reason why doctors often ask patients to stick their tongue out during examinations.

Causes of Tongue Disease

The cause of tongue disease varies, from birth to lifestyle and / or certain habits, such as smoking or consuming coffee. The cause can be distinguished from symptoms that appear.

• The tongue changes color

The change in color of the tongue to light pink is often caused by lack of folic acid, vitamin B12, iron, or gluten allergy. While the tongue becomes white is usually caused by the habit of drinking alcohol, smoking, fungal infections, and the remnants of food that is not cleaned. Red tongue is associated with vitamin deficiencies, Kawasaki disease, or scarlet fever caused by a bacterial infection. If your tongue turns black, this could be due to smoking, lazy to clean your mouth, taking antibiotics, or undergoing chemotherapy.

• The tongue changes texture

The texture of the tongue becomes hairy or appears black haired, most likely due to antibiotics or smoking habits. Too often consume coffee or use mouthwash, and radiation exposure on the head or neck can also affect changes in the texture of the tongue.

• Tongue pain

Thrush most often causes tongue pain. The cause can be due to food allergies, lack of vitamins and iron, the use of toothpaste and mouthwash made from hard, or accidentally bite the tongue when eating or talking. Pain can also be caused by inflammation of the papilla, aka taste buds. People who have the habit of eating spicy and wearing dentures or braces are more at risk of experiencing this.

• Swollen tongue

Swollen tongue can be a symptom of a medical condition, such as Down syndrome, tongue cancer, leukemia, laryngitis, anemia, and overactive thyroid gland. If tongue swelling occurs suddenly, the cause may be an allergy. Do not underestimate this because a swollen tongue can cause difficulties Immediately visit a doctor to get medical treatment if a swollen tongue makes it difficult for you to breathe.

Types of Aloe Disease and How to Overcome It

• Sprue

Thrush is a small wound that usually appears on the tongue or mouth. The cause of canker sores is not yet known with certainty, but one of these common tongue ailments often occurs when vitamin deficiencies or immune system are weak. Consume acidic fruits, use braces and use of dentures. Solution: Generally, canker sores do not require special handling. The pain will disappear by itself within a week or two weeks. Clean your teeth and tongue regularly, especially after eating, and avoid spicy or sour foods until canker sores recover.

• Oral candidiasis (oral thrush)

Oral thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, is a tongue disease caused by a fungal infection of Candida albicans. This disease is characterized by the tongue or the inside of the mouth covered in a white layer that is textured to resemble cheese. If this layer is scratched, it can cause pain and even bleed. Oral thrush more often attacks toddlers, elderly people using dentures, or people with weak immunity. How to cope: You can do a natural method to overcome this tongue disease, namely by rinsing using warm salt water or a solution mixed with half a teaspoon of baking soda. Do it regularly, twice a day. If you decide to go to a doctor or dentist, your doctor will usually prescribe antifungal drugs.

• Lichen planus mouth

Oral lichen planus is thought to be caused by a problem with the immune system. This tongue disease is characterized by the appearance of white patches and white lines such as lace on the tongue and mouth. This condition is usually accompanied by redness and pain, burning or burning sensation, and discomfort in the mouth. Solution: Generally mild symptoms do not require special treatment. But, gargling using an antiseptic solution can relieve discomfort in the mouth. For more severe conditions, treatment with corticosteroid drugs is needed to reduce inflammation.

• Geographic tongue

Named geographic tongue because the symptoms that arise in the form of reddish patches shaped like a map or island with white edges. The exact cause is unknown, but is thought to be related to psoriasis and lichen planus. This allegation still needs further research. Sometimes, people with geographic tongue become very sensitive to salty, sour or too sweet food. How to cope: Geographic tongue is actually not dangerous, so that this tongue disease can heal by itself. However, it is recommended that you check yourself if more than two weeks of spotting do not disappear. Reduce consumption of spicy foods, acids, cigarettes and alcoholic drinks to prevent the geographic tongue from developing seriously.

• Chapped tongue (fissured tongue)

Cracked tongue or fissured tongue is characterized by the number of gaps in the tongue so the tongue looks cracked. The depth of the gap in the fissured tongue varies, but the deepest can reach six millimeters. This condition is actually not dangerous so the sufferer does not feel pain. The cause is not known for sure, although there are allegations of being genetically inherited. Solution: In many conditions, fissured tongue does not require any treatment. To prevent fissured tongue from causing infection, you are advised to regularly clean the tongue, because the remnants of food that is tucked can be the mastermind behind the infection.

• Glossitis

Glossitis is inflammation of the tongue, where the tongue becomes swollen and changes color. Glossitis causes small bumps on the surface of the tongue (papilla) to disappear. This condition can affect the way you eat and talk. How to deal: Maintaining clean teeth and mouth regularly can reduce symptoms. When brushing your teeth, also clean between your teeth using dental floss to clean leftovers. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat infections or corticosteroids to reduce swelling.

• Burning tongue (burning mouth syndrome)

The tongue burns, aches, and heat most often affects women who enter menopause. Allergies, immune disorders, the use of toothpaste or mouthwash made from hard, and stress, can be a trigger factor. How to deal: There is no specific treatment for treating burning mouth syndrome. But you can avoid acidic foods and drinks, spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, and cigarettes to relieve pain.

• Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is a condition in which there are white patches on the tongue. In leukoplakia, white patches do not disappear even though it has been cleaned using a toothbrush. The cause of leukoplakia is related to smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages. Although generally harmless and painless, leukoplakia can be an early sign of oral cancer. Another version of leukoplakia is hairy leukoplakia. This disease is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and is more common in people with a low immune system as in people with HIV. Solution: Go to a doctor or dentist if the size of the white spot is enlarged. Treatment will be focused on removing these spots. Laser methods or surgery may be done if leukoplakia is malignant (cancer). Immediately stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages to reduce the risk of enlarged spots.

• Aloe Cancer

Aloe cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of cells. HPV infection, alcohol and cigarettes can be the cause of tongue cancer. Solution: If mouth ulcers last more than two weeks but do not heal, consult a doctor immediately. The doctor will do an examination to check whether the thrush is dangerous or not. If the results are positive for cancer and the size is large enough, treatment is started by getting rid of the cancer through surgery. The method of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or radiation therapy will be used depending on the type, location, and severity of the cancer.

Most tongue diseases are not so serious that they can be treated independently. But in some cases, medical attention must be taken immediately because it leads to cancer. Getting used to brush your teeth after eating and before going to bed twice a day, eating nutritious food, and drinking lots of water, can prevent tongue disease. It is recommended to check oral health to the dentist every six months.