Glossitis Treatment

Glossitis is a medical condition and it implies infection or inflammation of the tongue. Swelling and change in the color of the tongue is one of the first significant signs of this condition and the tongue also tends to be smoother than before. In most cases, glossitis is painless but it does indeed cause discomfort and uneasiness in the mouth and tongue, and in severe cases it could block the airway due to severe tongue swelling.

Causes of Glossitis

Glossitis is a tongue infection that can be caused due to various factors and mentioned below are some of the causative factors.

• Vitamin or Mineral deficiencies
• Viral or Bacterial infections
• Intake of tobacco or tobacco products, hot or spicy food
• Allergic to certain medicines
• Those suffering from canker sores on tongue or aphththous ulcers are more susceptible to glossitis
• Allergic to toothpaste, mouth fresheners, mouthwash, etc.
• Dry mouth
• Injury or irritation from burns, injury with dental appliances or due to rough edges of the teeth

Atrophic, median rhomboid and benign migratory are the types of glossitis. As mentioned earlier, smooth, tender, sore and red appearance of the tongue with difficulty swallowing, chewing or speaking and in severe cases tongue swelling are the common symptoms. If any of these symptoms are identified, a physical examination and certain blood tests are used as an aid to diagnose this condition.

Different Treatment Options for Glossitis

Median Rhomboid Glossitis
Median rhomboid glossitis can be identified with a diamond or an oval-shaped mark situated at the upper part of the tongue appearing to be in the middle line. The treatment of this condition basically requires one to follow an antifungal regimen wherein toothbrush and other oral devices might be required to change in order to prevent a reinfection.

Benign Migratory Glossitis
Benign migratory glossitis also known as geographic tongue can be identified with the help of discolored areas of the taste buds and at times even cracks might appear on the tongue. This condition usually sprouts up at times of an illness, hormonal changes, stress and when eating certain kinds of foods that could aggravate the problem. Treatment usually involves taking vitamins and zinc supplements prescribed by the physician and a steroid ointment may also be prescribed to suppress the symptoms and treat this condition.

Atrophic Glossitis
Atrophic glossitis is mostly caused due to poor nutrition. A person with atrophic glossitis, tongue pain while eating hot or spicy food is experienced and if not attended on time, it could cause severe tongue pain in later stages. Antifungal creams and topical applications for the tongue are prescribed by the physician to reduce the inflammation in case of atrophic glossitis. Besides these, certain lifestyle changes such as avoiding spicy food and cutting down on alcohol, tobacco, etc. and maintaining oral hygiene are some of the things that could prevent this condition.

Ideally, a treatment of any disease involves treating the causes of the problem but, in case of such tongue inflammations, the symptoms are treated to reduce the infection or the inflammation. Glossitis prevention is better than the cure, don't you think. One could avoid going through all the discomfort that such tongue diseases cause by maintaining a good lifestyle, which involves consuming foods and drinks that cannot possibly lead to glossitis. And if any of the symptoms show up then, one should seek medical help before it becomes severe.