A crack in the tongue is quite common. This may involve one or more cracks or fissures. The cause is often a dry mouth, vitamin deficiency, an underlying condition or an accident. What is the treatment and how long does it take to heal cracks in the tongue?
What is a crack in the tongue?
The tongue does not have a completely flat surface: the taste buds are located on the tongue. These are nerve endings that appear on the surface of the tongue. Some have rougher taste buds than others. Furthermore, the tongue should appear normal, healthy and pink in color with no strange bumps or cracks on the tongue.Cracks in the tongue resemble fissures or grooves on the surface of the tongue. These can be horizontal or vertical. Sometimes it is a single crack, sometimes the tongue has many cracks. The cracks can make a tongue feel quite rough. Sometimes eating spicy or sour foods is even painful.
Development of fissures or cracks in the tongue
A rough tongue with cracks can be hereditary: sometimes it runs in families. Another reason that it occurs more often within one family is the fact that the entire family often eats incorrect food that damages the tongue too much.Xerostomia is the name for an abnormally dry mouth. Normally, the salivary glands ensure the production of sufficient saliva to keep the oral cavity moist. If there is too little saliva, the oral cavity dries out. The tongue will start to crack and crack. We often see that the corners of the mouth also show cracks and the lips open. A dry mouth is often the result of smoking, medication use, diabetes, asthma, cerebral hemorrhage, stress, thyroid disease, high blood pressure, chemotherapy, radiation and a number of conditions and diseases not yet mentioned.A fissured tongue often occurs in people with psoriasis, Down syndrome or other underlying diseases or abnormalities. Cracks halfway down the tongue along the midline are called a fissured tongue or folded tongue . The cause is sometimes a vitamin B deficiency, damage to the tongue or chafing along the tongue. This is also more common in people with Down syndrome.Sometimes cracks also appear on a map tongue. A mapped tongue in itself can hurt when eating spicy food or acids. Cracks worsen these complaints even more.A tongue can also tear as a result of an accident. The side of the tongue often tears. But the tongue can also tear from the middle when a sharp object hits it. Bleeding from the tongue is then quite normal.
Treatment and recovery
When there is abnormal dry mouth, it is important to replenish the dryness by drinking small sips of water throughout the day. In addition, a good toothpaste with salivary enzymes can restore the bacterial function in the mouth. A mouth moisturizing gel can help the mouth stay moist for several hours. In addition, the gel reduces itching or burning sensation. Chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production. If the mouth becomes extra dry due to chewing gum, it is better to stop.Cleft tongue is difficult to treat. This is often caused by an underlying disease or abnormality. Because food remains can remain in cracks, it is important to brush the tongue thoroughly every day. Drinking lots of small sips of water helps keep the tongue clean and moist.A fissure tongue or folded tongue is treated by administering extra B vitamins and keeping the tongue thoroughly clean. Sometimes an anti-inflammatory medication is necessary when it appears that the tongue is inflamed.A map tongue cannot be treated. However, extra vitamins can be taken: in some cases the complaints even disappear. Good tongue hygiene is very important. A disinfectant mouthwash or gel can reduce the symptoms. Sometimes it is also possible to apply an anesthetic gel to the tongue.A torn tongue due to an accident will not be stitched. Within a few days the tongue will heal on its own and the crack will close again. With deep cracks, recovery may take longer.