Glossitis of the tongue: symptoms, causes, photos, why do sores appear on the tongue?

What is glossitis?

Glossitis (from the Greek glossa (tongue) + suffix –itis) is an inflammation of the tongue. The reasons for its occurrence are different. Glossitis can develop as a result of a viral or bacterial infection, or as a result of another disease in the body. In addition, there are some other factors that provoke the development of the disease. These include mechanical, chemical and thermal damage to the oral cavity; nicotine; food that is too spicy or too hot; alcohol; caramel; some components present in toothpastes.

Glossitis has the following forms:

folded
diamond-shaped median
desquamative
hairy black
Gunter's
interstitial

According to the duration of the inflammatory process, acute and chronic glossitis are distinguished. The acute form of glossitis manifests itself as inflammation of the tongue, a change in its structure or color. Symptoms of the chronic form are more varied, but in most cases the disease is diagnosed by the presence or absence of papillomas - fungal growths on the tissues of the tongue. There are cases when the cause of the disease can be identified only after comprehensive medical research. True, this happens quite rarely and, as a rule, is associated with the presence of congenital, hereditary diseases.

Main symptoms of glossitis

Glossitis, the symptoms of which are very diverse and largely depend on the cause of the disease and the stage of development of the process, but the following signs are almost always present:

coating on tongue uneven with spots
ulcers in the oral cavity of varying depth and extent
color changes (general or in the form of local spots)
swelling of the tongue, the presence of “imprints” of teeth on its lateral surfaces and other sores
limited tongue mobility
bad breath problem
salivation disorder

Often these changes are accompanied by a decrease in taste sensitivity, a burning sensation and pain at the slightest movements of the tongue while eating and when talking. Sometimes, as the inflammatory process progresses, there is a deterioration in general health: an increase in temperature, enlargement of the submandibular and cervical lymph nodes.

What language should be normal?

A child who is completely healthy has a uniform pink tongue, without areas of inflammation. There should also be no plaque on the mucous membrane normally. Parents should be alert to the following changes in the tongue:

Limited areas of inflammation;
Neoplasms of various types;
Uneven plaque, which consists of tiny particles of food and dead epithelium;
Excessive growth of the epithelium in certain areas of the uvula.

You should pay attention to the localization of spots and areas of inflammation. This also has important diagnostic significance, since each part of the tongue is associated with the work of a specific organ.

Liver and gallbladder – spots and plaque on the sides of the tongue;
Intestines - changes affect the base of the uvula;
Buds - spots located between the root and the middle of the tongue;
Lungs - there are spots on the front of the tongue;
The heart is connected to the tip of the organ.

Most often, spots on the tongue are caused by problems with the digestive tract. Such changes are not necessarily a sign of serious illness, but it is worth consulting your doctor about this.

Types of disease

Depending on the prevalence of the process and the predominance of a certain nature of changes, the following are distinguished:

Catarrhal glossitis

It is manifested by swelling, redness of the tongue, and the appearance of plaque on its surface, but the process does not extend to its deeper layers. Most often, catarrhal glossitis occurs with superficial injuries and burns of the tongue (chemical, thermal), oral candidiasis (disturbance of the balance of normal microflora), various forms of stomatitis, infectious diseases (viral and bacterial nature), as well as with a number of diseases (anemia, hypovitaminosis , metabolic disorders, diseases of the digestive system, etc.).

Ulcerative glossitis

It is usually manifested by the formation of single or multiple small ulcers on the tongue (the so-called aphthae, hence another name for it - aphthous glossitis). Ulcerations are often accompanied by bleeding, severe swelling, severe pain and deterioration in general condition. This type of glossitis can develop from catarrhal glossitis, and also be a manifestation of diseases of the oral cavity, gum diseases, and diseases of internal organs.

Purulent-phlegmous glossitis

It is a severe form of inflammation, spreading not only to the deeper layers of the tongue, but also to other tissues of the oral cavity; the nearby lymph nodes are also involved in the process. In this case, the patient’s condition is serious, with severe intoxication and elevated temperature, so such patients are usually treated promptly. Antibiotics for this glossitis are a mandatory component of treatment.

Special types of glossitis and their treatment

In addition to the above types of glossitis, dentists distinguish special types of glossitis, characterized by the development of limited specific changes in the tongue. These include:

Desquamative glossitis

It appears in the form of a “geographical” tongue, which has a “variegated” pinkish-red appearance, somewhat reminiscent of the outlines of the continents on a geographical map. In some cases, with the development of the inflammatory process, thinned areas cleared of plaque may change their position and shape within a short period of time (2 - 4 days). In such cases, desquamative glossitis is also called wandering glossitis. This can usually be observed with exudative diathesis, diseases of the digestive system, helminthic infestations, metabolic disorders, blood diseases, pregnant women, etc. Desquamative glossitis involves standard treatment, which leads to a gradual cleansing of the surface of the tongue and the disappearance of associated complaints in the patient.

Median rhomboid glossitis

It is characterized by the presence of a local thickening of the epithelium, usually located in the middle of the back of the tongue. In this case, the thickened area of the epithelium has a diamond-shaped or oval shape and can change its color from red to bluish. Rhomboid glossitis most often occurs in chronic diseases of the digestive system and is prone to chronicity and recurrence. Depending on the form of glossitis (flat, tuberculate, papillomatous), appropriate treatment is carried out: laser therapy, surgery, etc.

Atrophic glossitis

It often develops with insufficient intake of vitamins A and E. It usually appears as a single bright red, smooth spot that occupies the entire surface of the tongue. The focus of atrophy can persist for quite a long time without progressing. Sometimes the tongue decreases in size. Histological examination reveals dilation of blood and lymphatic vessels, swelling and inflammation in the papillary layer. Often, atrophic glossitis is a symptom of tongue damage due to gonorrhea.

Gunter's glossitis

Appears with a deficiency of vitamin B12 and folic acid. It most often occurs with blood diseases (usually anemia associated with impaired hematopoietic processes). In this form of the disease, the surface of the tongue is bright crimson in color and, due to atrophy of the papillae, has a “varnished” appearance. Gunter's glossitis involves treatment of the underlying disease by a therapist or hematologist.

Mycotic, candidal, or yeast glossitis

As a rule, it is a consequence of intensive antibacterial therapy, as a result of which the normal microflora in the patient’s body was suppressed. The disease manifests itself as swelling of the tongue, an accumulation of white plaque on it, with pronounced longitudinal and transverse grooves. Very often, mycotic glossitis occurs in young children and the elderly, as well as in people with weakened immune systems. Candidal glossitis requires treatment with antifungal drugs.

As an additional means for the treatment and prevention of glossitis, many experts have recently begun to recommend the use of an ultrasonic brush for oral hygiene.

When can a white coating be considered normal?

If the white coating on the tongue (as in the photo) is a thin light film that evenly covers the muscular organ, through which the pinkish mucous membrane is visible, then yes, this phenomenon can be considered normal. Especially if it occurs exclusively in the morning after a long sleep.

Plaque that appears in the morning after sleep is normal

The film consists of bacteria, dead mucous cells and organic substances. It is most visible in the morning, because at night our body rests and does not secrete enough saliva to wash off this film in a timely manner.

In summer, the plaque may turn slightly yellow, which may be due to an imbalance in the water-salt balance in the body due to heat, prolonged exposure to the sun and overheating. By the way, this often occurs among those who are actively involved in sports and physical activity. In winter and autumn, when it’s cold, deposits become pale and almost invisible.

In a normal situation, plaque is easily removed after cleaning the tongue using a scraper or a special coating on the back of the brush. After morning hygiene, there should be no unpleasant odor in the mouth; it becomes neutral.

Manifestations of tongue glossitis in children

In children, glossitis usually occurs at an early age - from 1 to 5 years. The causes of this pathological process have not yet been fully studied and can be very diverse: from infection to poor heredity. Externally, glossitis in children is manifested by the appearance of spots on the tongue, which slightly swells and itches. Itching and a burning sensation are the most unpleasant signs of glossitis, since a small child begins to scratch the tongue, thereby contributing to the appearance of microcracks with their subsequent infection. However, the disease does not pose a threat to the child’s life. The famous pediatrician Komarovsky does not recommend panicking about this and self-medicating by giving the baby serious medications. As a rule, multivitamins and a gentle regimen will have a positive effect within a week.

Features of glossitis during pregnancy

The causes of glossitis of the tongue in pregnant women are due to the fact that the immune defense weakens to allow the fetus to develop, which means that the body during this period becomes practically defenseless in the face of various bacteria and viruses. The second risk factor is a lack of vitamins and minerals obtained from food.

According to statistics, most often pregnant women experience a picture of desquamative and Gunter's glossitis. Symptoms that should alert you during pregnancy include:

Profuse drooling. During the period of bearing a child, a woman already secretes a larger amount of saliva than usual, but a sharp increase may indicate the onset of glossitis.
"Lacquered Tongue" A specific symptom that indicates the development of B12 deficiency anemia.
Color change. White spots on the surface of the tongue alternate with spots of rich red color.
Refusal of food. Acute glossitis in pregnant women is characterized by severe pain in the tongue during chewing and speaking, which, among other things, affects appetite.

As for the treatment of glossitis in pregnant women, the safety of the fetus comes first. Therefore, all therapy is exclusively local in nature (sprays, rinses), eliminating the penetration of the drug through the placenta. It is recommended to adjust your diet in such a way as to remove any foods that irritate your tongue.

Attention!

In order to avoid complications that can negatively affect the health of the fetus, treatment of glossitis during pregnancy must be carried out under the supervision of an obstetrician-gynecologist monitoring the woman.

Geographical

If red spots and a white coating along their edges appear on the tongue, then this is a sign of a geographic tongue - desquamative glossitis. The disease is not inflammatory in nature and may indicate some hormonal disorders, worms and problems in the digestive system. Such spots do not have smooth outlines, they quickly change their location and do not bother the child in any way. They can be oval, round or have fancy shapes.

This disease lasts a long time and often goes away on its own after some time, even without specific therapy. Sometimes antiseptics, vitamins and drugs that accelerate tissue regeneration processes are used to treat geographic tongue. But most experts (for example, Dr. Komarovsky) believe that there is no need to treat geographic spots.

Diagnosis and treatment

To diagnose glossitis in adults, the following basic methods are successfully used today.

Examination
An experienced dentist in 95% of cases is able to diagnose glossitis based only on visual data.
RPR test
A special test that detects antibodies to the cardiolipin antigen.
Scraping
It is taken from the surface of the tongue to exclude syphilis, whose symptoms are similar to glossitis.
PCR
The most modern and accurate diagnostic method for identifying a wide range of infectious pathogens.

Treatment of glossitis depends on the form of the disease and analysis of concomitant diseases, but in any case it should be comprehensive:

enhanced oral hygiene;
general strengthening therapy aimed at increasing immunity;
local treatment with antiseptics;
strict diet;
targeted medications (for example, for candidal glossitis - antifungal agents).

You can find out more about how to treat glossitis of the tongue in the article.

We make a diagnosis based on the location of the plaque

If the plaque is located on the middle third of the tongue, then the development of gastrointestinal diseases can be suspected. In the back third there are kidney problems. At the root - perhaps you have dysbiosis, constipation, or the function of digesting food is impaired, your intestines are “jamming.” At the very end are cardiovascular diseases. Over the entire surface of the tongue - beginning sore throat, stomatitis, candidiasis.

The location of the plaque directly depends on the disease

Its localization at the edges may indicate problems with the respiratory system, the development of bronchitis or emphysema, problems with the spleen and liver.

If the plaque is uneven and covers the tongue with spots like on a geographical map, then the cause of its appearance may be one of the types of glossitis.

Is it worth treating glossitis with folk remedies?

If you have a question: how to cure glossitis, don’t waste time looking for folk remedies! If you notice characteristic symptoms that do not go away for more than a day, you need to seek help from a specialist. Treatment of glossitis should be carried out only by a dentist, who will determine the cause of the changes in the oral cavity, carry out all the necessary therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, prescribe a set of therapeutic measures that the patient can perform at home, and also monitor the entire treatment process, making changes to it as needed. necessary adjustments. Moscow dental clinics are presented in the “Search” section on our website.

Glossitis, like other periodontal diseases, is fraught with many complications, so treatment with folk remedies can only serve as an aid in complex therapy.

In order not to come face to face with glossitis, it is enough to brush your teeth regularly, including brushing your tongue, and do not skip preventive examinations at the dentist. In addition, doctors recommend avoiding excessive consumption of spicy foods and spices, limiting the intake of alcoholic beverages and smoking. Remember, disease is easier to prevent than to treat.