Fissured tongue is a harmless condition where the tongue has deep grooves, but it can be a sign of an underlying condition. It can be associated with genetic disorders, but it does not require medical treatment. Oral hygiene is important, and surgery is an option for those with deep fissures.
Fissured tongue is a usually benign variation in the structure of the tongue in which the surface has one or more deep grooves. While the tongue itself shouldn’t present any health problems to the patient, it can be a sign of an underlying condition that requires treatment. Some patients with fissured tongues also have a condition known as geographic tongue, in which spots appear on the surface of the tongue and make it look bumpy.
Certain genetic conditions are known to be associated with fissured tongue, including Down syndrome and Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, along with other disorders that cause abnormalities in facial structure. In other cases, it can be passed on as a genetic trait with no associated disorder. Fissures in the tongue may become more apparent with age, as the tongue grows and the rest of the patient’s mouth develops.
This natural variation does not require any medical treatment. Patients with a fissured tongue may need to take extra care in their oral hygiene regimens to ensure that the tongue is thoroughly cleaned. The crevice can create a warm, moist refuge for oral bacteria and other microorganisms. Regular brushing of the tongue and using appropriate oral hygiene products such as mouthwash can help reduce the development of bacteria colonies and can also prevent unpleasant oral odors.
Parents who notice a fissured tongue in a child not known to have genetic disorders and who has no family history of fissured tongue may wish to discuss the situation with a pediatrician. The doctor can evaluate the patient to determine if the tongue is part of a medical problem. It may not be, in which case the parents need not take any further steps. If the patient also has geographic tongue or other oral abnormalities, these may simply be signs of random variations that occurred during fetal development.
In cases where the fissures are deep or cause discomfort, it may be possible to correct the fissured tongue surgically. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon can evaluate the patient and determine if he is a good candidate for surgery. In the surgery, your doctor will close the fissures and smooth the texture and appearance of your tongue. Healing time tends to be quick, as the tongue grows rapidly. For the first few days, the patient should be careful while eating and drinking to protect the tongue and the suture site.
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