Why the tongue cracks?

Did you know that tongue cracks are a fairly common thing that can affect people of any age? It usually does not cause any pain or discomfort that we should worry about, but it is important to understand why it appears and what its possible treatments are. Cracks in the tongue can be a sign of several reasons and of which it would not hurt to consult a specialist if this type of cracks are accompanied by other types of symptoms.

Tongue cracks: what are they?

Tongue cracks are also known as split or cracked tongues and are a small alteration of our anatomy. This consists of the tongue splitting or small cracks that form around the top of the tongue and on the sides.

Causes of cracks in the tongue

The appearance of the screams in the language is due to several causes among which we find:

Genetics

In genetic questions, the appearance of tongue cracks can be an inherited trait, which means that if a family member presents it, It’s possible that other members have it as well. In addition, this phenomenon is also observed in people with Down syndrome. It is important to note that when tongue cracks are due to genetic reasons or associated with this syndrome, they do not usually involve any type of significant medical complication.

Allergic reaction

Can appear in different ways in our body, from swelling and redness to the appearance of cracks in the tongue or fissures. Food is one of the first causes that can cause cracks in our tongue among other symptoms that may lead to be more serious.

Smoke and drink alcohol

Smoking tobacco affects negatively in many aspects of our body, but especially in our oral health. Smoking causes damage to the mucosa and the possibility of tongue cracks. It also causes the appearance of cavities and other problems.

Also, consuming alcohol causes our mouth to become irritated by generating tongue cracks.

Bruxism

Bruxism is a negative habit that appears over a long period of time and only appears when we are sleeping. People who suffer from bruxism often have several symptoms such as jaw pain, tongue pains and the appearance of these cracks. Cases of breakage or wear of the teeth may also appear. Currently, there are effective solutions to stop this problem such as the use of sleep splints.

Stress and anxiety

In stress and anxiety we can also manifest it in our mouth, causing sores, irritations and cracks or fissures in the tongue. But if you follow the recommendations of a specialist to make changes in your habits, you will succeed in preventing these types of problems.

Treatment of tongue cracks

You can treat tongue cracks in different ways:

• Good oral hygiene: use mouthwashes, perform a good dental cleaning, rubbing the tongue with a little paste.
• Healthy diet: not eating a good diet is a sign of having many problems in your mouth, so having a rich and balanced diet will ensure you suffer from these types of problems.
• Use of probiotics: this type of medication helps our body to regulate itself. Probiotics are in many of the foods we eat, such as dairy or vegetables.
• Home remedies: such as ginger tea, garlic and mint infusions.

The appearance of tongue cracks may be due to many causes mentioned above, but, although they do not usually cause much discomfort, It is important that we stay tuned and check that you do not have any other type of symptom. Maintaining good hygiene and being hydrated is important to avoid the appearance of these cracks. In our dental clinic in Malaga, we can help you. With our team of professionals we can give you the best recommendations to avoid this and other types of problems. Book your appointment with us!