A problem with the jaw called temporomandibular joint syndrome can cause severe pain in the jaw, face, ear, or neck. Clenching, tooth grinding, or injury can all cause TMJ syndrome, but the results are often the same: pain, headaches, dizziness, even trouble swallowing. Treatment may involve rest, moist heat, a mouth guard, medication, or surgery. Tongue problems include a variety of symptoms, from pain to changes in color and texture, that can have many different causes. Show Though often hailed as "the strongest muscle in the body," the tongue is made up of a group of muscles that allow us to taste food, swallow, and talk. A healthy tongue is pink and covered with small nodules called papillae. Because you use your tongue all the time, tongue problems can be frustrating and uncomfortable. Symptoms of Tongue ProblemsDifferent causes of tongue problems have different symptoms. You might have:
Causes of Tongue ProblemsThere are a variety of causes for common tongue symptoms. The majority of tongue problems aren’t serious and most can be resolved quickly. In some instances, though, a discolored or painful tongue can indicate more serious conditions, including vitamin deficiencies, AIDS, or oral cancer. For this reason, it is important to seek medical advice if you have any ongoing problems with your tongue. Causes of sore tongue or tongue bumps There are many things that can make your tongue become sore or cause painful bumps to form, including:
Causes of white tongue There are a number of things that can cause a whitish coating or white spots to develop on the tongue, including: Causes of red or strawberry tongue There are multiple factors that can cause a normally pink tongue to turn red. In some instances, the tongue may even take on the appearance of a strawberry with enlarged, red taste buds dotting the surface. Possible causes include:
Causes of black hairy tongue Though troubling in appearance, a black, hairy tongue is typically nothing serious. It comes from an overgrowth of bacteria, dead cells and other debris that get trapped on your tongue. Several things can cause it: Your doctor can usually tell what’s wrong with your tongue by looking at it. They may want to test you for medical conditions that can cause tongue symptoms, like diabetes or a vitamin deficiency. If you have a mouth tumor, you may have a biopsy to check for cancer. Treatment for Tongue ProblemsTreatments for tongue problems vary depending on their cause. Some problems go away by themselves. If you have an underlying health condition, treating that can improve your symptoms. Your doctor may suggest a medicated rinse or gel. If you have oral thrush, you may need anti-fungal medication. If you have sores or other conditions that cause pain, it may help to avoid spicy or acidic foods. Cancer treatment can range from surgery to radiation and chemotherapy or drug therapy. Because some tongue problems can be linked to poor oral health, it’s important to take care of your mouth and teeth. Brush and floss regularly and use a tongue scraper to remove bacteria and other particles. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting. SOURCES: University of Maryland Medical Center: "Tongue Problems," “Oral Cancer." American Dental Association: "Common Mouth Sores." Familydoctor.org: "Mouth Problems." Columbia University College of Dental Medicine: "Black hairy tongue." Familydoctor.org: "Canker sores: What are they and what can you do about them." Columbia University College of Dental Medicine: "Painful papillae of the tongue." Mayo Clinic: “Black hairy tongue,” “Geographic tongue,” “Canker sore,” “Oral thrush,” “Mouth cancer.” |