What do splits in the tongue mean

Learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for oral thrush, which is a yeast infection in the mouth. What causes cracked tongue? Cracked tongue pictures. Cracked tongue causes. Cracked tongue treatment. Cleaning techniques. When to see a doctor. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. What to know about fissured tongue.

Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Everything you need to know about geographic tongue. More serious conditions can also cause taste bud…. Tongue thrust appears when the tongue presses forward too far in the mouth, resulting in an abnormal orthodontic condition called an open bite.

Most people experience bleeding from the tongue from time to time. Read more to learn whether your bleeding tongue is worthy of a doctor's visit.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. Pictures Symptoms Causes Related conditions Treatment Overview Fissured tongue is a benign condition affecting the top surface of the tongue.

Pictures of fissured tongue. Symptoms of fissured tongue. Causes of fissured tongue. Conditions associated with fissured tongue. How fissured tongue is treated. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Vegetarians are especially prone to low levels of B12, which is found in certain meats.

How to treat it: If your tongue is a strawberry red color, ask your doctor for advice on supplements. It could mean: Nothing at all—you've simply inherited it from your family. Geographic tongue is an inflammatory disorder that usually affects the top and sides of the tongue. Typically, affected tongues have a bald, red patches in varying sizes that is surrounded, at least in part, by an irregular white border.

How to treat it: In most cases, there is no need for treatment of this condition. Occasionally, geographic tongue may cause a burning or smarting sensation. In this case, topical anaesthetics can be used for surface numbing.

Anti-inflammatory drugs cortisone-like drugs can also be prescribed to help control discomfort. There have not been any reports of geographic tongue causing cancer. In most cases, biopsies are not necessary to establish a diagnosis.

It could mean: Nothing at all—most mouth ulcers are caused by things you can avoid doing, like biting your tongue.

Mouth ulcers are very common and rarely a sign of anything serious, though they can cause tongue pain. How to treat it: In most cases, there is no need for treatment of this condition unless they last longer than 3 weeks and keep coming back— in which case see your doctor for advice.

If you have several mouth ulcers at once this can be a symptom of hand, foot and mouth which also causes a rash on hands and feet or oral lichen planus, a rash that affects inside your mouth, as well as other parts of your body. Sometimes it's hard not to wonder if your symptoms can be symptomatic of something much worse, in this cause tongue cancer or oral cancer. We've already covered above that white patches on the tongue can be a sign of Leukoplakia, which increases your risk of tongue cancer.

But the symptoms of tongue cancer might include:. These symptoms can be signs of other conditions and might be due to something less serious. But if you have any concerns, always ask your doctor for advice.

It also is recommended to prevent cavities. Use a well-reviewed toothbrush—and one that works for you. Some people can handle medium and hard bristles, while others must stick to soft bristles. Reach out to your dentist to help you find the dental care products that are best suited for you. If you experience tongue fissures accompanied by lesions painful or not , discuss them with your dentist or primary care physician. One or both can help you understand the underlying cause, provide a detailed treatment plan, and help you find relief.

Fissured Tongue. May 13, January 14, BMC Oral Health. September 20, Journal of Tropical Medicine. June 17, Gastroenterology Research and Practice. Causes of Tongue Crack Tongue fissures are a bit of a mystery.

Malnutrition A study conducted in links fissures to a deficiency in vitamin B Acid Reflux or General Indigestion Another causes can include side effects from a prescription medication and untreated acid reflux. Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome Another potential cause is Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome, which is a sporadic neurological disorder. Pustular Psoriasis Pustular psoriasis is an inflammatory condition caused by an immune disorder.