5 most common language problems and their causes

The tongue is one of Organs most important organs in the human body. With her we can talk, eat and distinguish flavors. By being in constant contact with residues, a tongue that has its hygiene neglected becomes prone to diseases and infections, which can cause serious disorders.

What can cause tongue problems?

According to the dentist and halitosis specialist, Bruna Conde, these conditions that specifically affect the tongue are caused by bad habits, including poor hygiene, as well as cigarette, drug and alcohol abuse.

“Bitting the lip, skin, nail, cheek and putting objects in the mouth can also help with the desquamation of the mouth and contribute to the formation of tongue coating and bad breath”, he says.

How to identify a language problem?

It is important to always observe your own language and, when noticing any sign of abnormality, look for an expert. Color, size and shape of the tongue, stains, injuries, warts, burning, sensitivity and bleeding are factors to be evaluated.

“Any inconvenience is already a reason to seek help. However, there are times when we can feel nothing and have something. The check-up often makes all the difference and even more so with professionals who evaluate the entire oral cavity and not just the teeth”, declares the professional.

Dentists in general are able to assess the health of the tongue and guide which specialization to pursue. Dentists specialized in periodontics, stomatology and bucomaxillofacial are the most indicated for the treatment of the region.

Most common types of language problems

They are round lesions, in part reddish with a yellowish center, which affect the tongue and mouth. They cause discomfort and can interfere with chewing and speech.

Causes: the appearance of a cold sore may be related to the consumption of citrus foods, stress, allergic reactions and some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV, gonorrhea and syphilis.

Treatment: canker sores disappear naturally within 7 to 10 days. When they are related to other diseases, it is necessary to carry out the appropriate treatment of the condition that triggered the cold sore. In more severe cases, dental care is recommended.

Caused by the fungus Candida albicans, oral candidiasis, also known as thrush, can be described by the presence of whitish plaques that appear on the tongue and in parts of the mouth.

Causes: It affects people of all ages, being more frequent in babies and in patients with low immunity due to the treatment of diseases such as cancer, who use immunosuppressants or who are carriers of the HIV virus.

Treatment: treatment occurs through the use of antifungal medicines and creams, in addition to mouthwashes with formulations indicated by the doctor.

It is characterized by the accumulation of keratin in the taste buds, which turns the top of the tongue a dark brown or black color.

Causes: the condition occurs due to poor hygiene of the tongue and factors such as smoking, excessive consumption of caffeine and fungal infections.

Treatment: a visit to the dentist is necessary to identify the origin of the problem and guide the care that the patient should follow, such as stopping tobacco and even changing medications.

Also called benign migratory glossitis, geographic tongue occurs with the formation of thick and prominent lines – in some cases reddish -, with irregular and whitish edges, on the top of the tongue. It causes discomfort, burning and stinging, in addition to causing the disappearance of filiform papillae.

Causes: it is still not known for sure what causes the appearance of the condition, but it is believed to be related to family history, emotional stress, psoriasis, asthma and rhinitis.

Treatment: there is no specific treatment for this condition, only the control of its manifestations through analgesics.

Tongue cancer occurs with the appearance of red or white spots at the base of the tongue, called the oropharynx, which are painful and do not improve. It is more common in men over 40 and, if not diagnosed in time, can be fatal.

Causes: excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco use and poor oral hygiene are some of the factors that lead to the development of the disease.

Treatment: the method chosen will depend on the size and stage of the cancer. Usually, surgery with radiotherapy complement is indicated.