17 Mouth & Tongue Problems

Introduction

You might be teaching your kids to practice good dental habits to help you prevent oral issues, but you might need to learn how these conditions affect your mouth. 

Our mouth is the first part of the digestive tract. It is adapted to getting food by ingestion, breaking or crushing it into small substances by chewing, and mixing it with saliva. The oral cavity has the teeth and tongue and gets the secretions from the salivary glands.

The tongue is one of the organs in the mouth used for speaking, tasting things, etc. If any issue begins on your tongue, this usually shows in the tongue’s appearance and sensations. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in India, above 95% of adults have dental caries, and above 50% of the adult population have periodontal disease. 

A recent global health survey revealed that only 45 percent of Indians brush their teeth twice daily, compared to the 78-83 percent reported by China, Colombia, Italy, and Japan.

A worldwide study says that oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people. Though largely preventable, oral diseases are a significant health burden for several countries and affect people throughout their lifetime, leading to pain, discomfort, disfigurement, and even death.

17 Mouth & Tongue Problems

There are many mouth and tongue problems, though some are only noticeable.

1) Amalgam Tattoo

An amalgam tattoo is a kind of tattoo that is usually a side effect of common dental fillings. It is a common discolouration in the mouth. Amalgam tattoos generally depict the symptoms of some dental or skin conditions. They look slightly grey or black spots less than 0.5 inches across but don’t show any noticeable symptoms.

2) Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath is caused by poor dental health, which could be worsened by the variety of foods you eat. It may show you a sign of other health problems, which are usually due to unhealthy lifestyle habits. There are different types of treatments for bad breath. 

3) Black Hairy Tongue

The black hairy tongue is caused by bacteria or fungi in the mouth. As the name indicates, the tongue appears black and fuzzy, though it is not dangerous. The black hairy tongue is commonly found in people who are HIV-positive and who use intravenous drugs. 

Most often, that colour is black. However, the tongue can change to brown, yellow, green, or other colours.

4) Canker Sores

A canker sore is generally called a phthous ulcer, which makes eating and talking uneasy. This condition is a small open wound in your mouth. Due to hormonal differences, these are more common in women than men. 

These are mainly classified as: 

• Minor canker sores – Minor canker sores are less than 1 centimetre across and come up a maximum of four times a year. 
• Major canker sores – Major canker sores last over two weeks. 
• Herpetiform canker sores – Herpetiform canker sores develop as an accumulation of tiny ulcers. 

5) Cavities 

A cavity is a deep or small hole in a tooth that arises from tooth decay. Cavities develop when acids in your mouth erode your tooth’s enamel. There are many types of cavities which develop on various surfaces, which include: 

• Smooth surface – This is a slowly developing cavity that dissolves the tooth enamel and often develops between teeth.
• Pit and fissure decay – Mostly starting in teenagers, these cavities are seen on the top part of your tooth’s chewing surface. 
• Root decay – Root decay is found in people with receding gums, which is challenging to treat. 

6) Tooth Abscesses

Tooth Abscess is a condition prevailing as an infection of the mouth, face, jaw, or throat. This condition starts as a gum infection or tooth infection. These result from a need for proper and timely dental care. Various kinds of tooth abscesses are:

• Periapical: This happens when a bacterial infection is seen inside one of your teeth’s pulp.
• Periodontal: Bacterial Infection in your gums.
• Gingival: This might be caused by food particles or a broken tooth stuck in your gums.

7) Cold Sores

A cold sore is a condition that appears mostly on your lip or around your mouth. It is a fluid-filled blister which could affect your cheeks, nose and chin. The HSV-1 type of virus is the reason for most cold sores.

8) Chipped Teeth

A chipped tooth occurs when a portion of the tooth enamel breaks off. Although it is usually not a severe problem, larger chips can cause cosmetic concerns and sometimes pain. If you have recently chipped a tooth, you may need help with what to do with the broken piece and how to fix it. One option is to place the chip in a cup of milk or saliva and promptly visit a dentist.

9) Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is a disease characterised by white, red, or grey patches on the tongue, inside the cheek, or floor of the mouth. It is commonly seen in older adults. While leukoplakia is generally harmless, there is a potential risk of developing mouth cancer, making it essential to diagnose and get appropriate treatment from a doctor.

There are several types of leukoplakia:

• Homogenous leukoplakia: These patches have a relatively even colour and texture. But, it usually does not lead to oral cancer.
• Non-homogenous leukoplakia: These patches are more irregularly shaped and may appear white or red. It has a higher likelihood of progressing to mouth cancer compared to homogenous leukoplakia.
• Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL): Patches associated with PVL are small and white, with a bumpy or lumpy surface. This type of leukoplakia primarily develops into oral cancer in over 60% of affected individuals.
• Hairy Leukoplakia: Hairy leukoplakia are white, fuzzy patches caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and commonly affect individuals with an incapacitated immune system, such as those with HIV or AIDS. Hairy leukoplakia is generally painless and noncancerous.

10) Lichen Planus

Lichen planus is a disease that affects the hair, skin, nails, mouth, and genitals. In the mouth and genital areas, lichen planus appears as lacy white patches that painful sores may accompany. If this condition causes pain or severe itching, prescription medication may be required.

11) “Lie” Bumps

Lie bumps, called transient lingual papillitis, are small bumps on the tongue. These bumps, which can be red or white, may cause discomfort and pain. They typically resolve on their own within 2-3 days. Factors such as dietary choices, tongue trauma, and stress can increase the likelihood of developing lie bumps.

12) Thrush

Thrush is a most common fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida. It can occur in various body parts, including the mouth and throat. In oral thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis), white lesions resembling cottage cheese may appear on the tongue and cheeks. Thrush can cause irritation, mouth pain, and redness. Healthcare providers treat thrush with antifungal medication. In most cases, thrush resolves within a few weeks of starting treatment, especially if the immune system is healthy.

13) Oral Cancer

Oral cancer refers to developing cancerous cells in the mouth or throat tissues. It is categorised as one of the head and neck cancers, with most cases originating from the squamous cells in the mouth, tongue, and lips. Detection at an early stage is crucial for improving survival rates. Oral cancers are often detected after they have spread to the neck’s lymph nodes.

14) Geographic Tongue

Geographic tongue is a non-threatening inflammatory condition that affects the tongue’s surface. Usually, the tongue is covered with small, pinkish-white bumps known as papillae, which are delicate hairlike structures. The term “geographic tongue” is used because these patches give the tongue a map-like appearance. They often appear in one location and then shift to another part of the tongue.

Although the appearance of a geographic tongue can be concerning, it does not pose any health risks. It is not associated with infection or cancer. In some cases, geographic tongue can cause discomfort and increase sensitivity to certain foods, such as spices, salt, and even sweets.

15) Mouth Ulcer

A mouth ulcer refers to the loss or degradation of the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the mouth. The primary cause is often accidental injury, such as unintentionally biting the inside of the cheek. Other reasons include:

• Aphthous ulceration
• Certain medications
• Mouth-related skin rashes
• Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections
• Exposure to chemicals
• Certain medical conditions

It’s important to note that an ulcer that fails to heal may serve as an indication of mouth cancer. Generally, most mouth ulcers are harmless and resolve independently within 10 to 14 days without requiring treatment.

16) Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, medically known as xerostomia, is characterised by insufficient saliva production from the salivary glands, resulting in a lack of moisture in the mouth. Dry mouth can often be attributed to the side effects of specific medications, natural ageing processes, or as a consequence of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. In less common cases, dry mouth may be caused by conditions that directly impact the salivary glands.

Insufficient saliva and dry mouth can range from being a mere inconvenience to significantly impacting overall health, dental well-being, appetite, and enjoyment of food. The dry mouth treatment depends on its underlying cause.

17) Aspirin Burn

Some individuals may place aspirin tablets directly onto the affected tooth and adjacent oral mucosa to alleviate tooth pain and avoid dental visits. However, it’s important to note that aspirin is acidic, and its coagulation effects on proteins can lead to severe chemical burns on the surrounding mucous membranes when applied directly. Aspirin is widely recognised as one of the most effective over-the-counter oral pain relievers available globally, without needing a prescription.

Conclusion

Some common oral practices could reduce all types of mouth and tongue problems, though they are different in their causes. There are several ways by which mouth and tongue problems could be treated. Here are some general tips through which you could improve your oral health. 

• Kindly brush your teeth twice a day without hesitation. 
• Use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue regularly. 
• Drink a lot of water throughout the day to keep your mouth clean.
• Avoid using intravenous drugs. Don’t smoke.
• Include more roughage content in your food. 
• Consult your doctor or dentist if this condition doesn’t get better on its own. 
• Visit your dentist for regular check-ups twice a year.

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