Tongue problems include pain, swelling, or a change in how the tongue looks.
Dark tongue; Burning tongue syndrome
The tongue is mainly made up of muscles. It is covered with a mucus membrane. Small bumps (papillae) cover the upper surface of the tongue.
Between the papillae are the taste buds, which allow you to taste.
The tongue moves food to help you chew and swallow.
The tongue also helps you form words.
There are many different reasons for changes in the tongue's function and appearance.
PROBLEMS MOVING THE TONGUE
Tongue movement problems are most often caused by nerve damage. Rarely, problems moving the tongue may also be caused by a disorder where the band of tissue that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short. This is called ankyloglossia.
Tongue movement disorders may result in:
Breastfeeding problems in newborns
Difficulty moving food during chewing and swallowing
Taste problems can be caused by damage to the taste buds, nerve problems, side effects of medications, an infection, or other condition. The tongue normally senses sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastes. Other "tastes" are actually a function of the sense of smell.
The tongue may get wider in persons who have no teeth and do not wear dentures.
Sudden swelling of the tongue can happen due to an allergic reaction or a side effect of medications.
Color changes may occur when the tongue becomes inflamed (glossitis). Papillae (bumps on the tongue) are lost, causing the tongue to appear smooth. Geographic tongue is a patchy form of glossitis where the location of inflammation and the appearance of the tongue change from day to day.
Hairy tongue is a harmless condition in which the tongue looks hairy or furry. The disorder usually goes away with antibiotics.
Sometimes the upper surface of the tongue turns black or brown in color. This is an unsightly condition but it is not harmful.
PAIN IN THE TONGUE
Pain may occur with glossitis and geographic tongue. Tongue pain may also occur with:
After menopause, some women have a sudden feeling that their tongue has been burned. This is called burning tongue syndrome or idiopathic glossopyrosis. There is no specific treatment for burning tongue syndrome, but capsaicin (the ingredient that makes peppers spicy) can offer relief to some patients.
Minor infections or irritations are the most common cause of tongue soreness. Injury, such as biting the tongue, can cause painful sores. Heavy smoking can irritate the tongue and make it painful.
A viral ulcer, also called a canker sore, commonly appears on the tongue (or anywhere in the mouth) for no obvious reason. Some doctors believe that these ulcers are linked to emotional stress or fatigue, although this has not been proved.
See your dentist if you have a tongue problem caused by dentures.
Antihistamines can help relieve a swollen tongue caused by allergies. You should avoid the food or drug that causes the tongue swelling. Seek medical attention right away if swelling is starting to make breathing difficult.
Call your health care provider if
Make an appointment with your doctor if your tongue problem persists.
What to expect at your health care provider's office
The doctor will perform a physical examination, look closely at the tongue, and ask questions such as:
When did you first notice the problem?
Have you had similar symptoms before?
Do you have pain, swelling, breathing problems, or difficulty swallowing?
Do you have a tongue tremor?
What makes the problem worse (eating, drinking, swallowing, talking)?
Do you wear dentures?
What have you tried that helps?
Are there problems with the teeth, gums, lips, or throat?
Does the tongue bleed?
Do you have a rash or fever?
Do you have allergies?
Are there problems with speaking or moving the tongue?
Have you noticed changes in taste?
What medications do you take?
Do you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe?
Do you use alcohol excessively?
Blood tests may be done to check for conditions, including systemic causes of tongue disorders. A tongue biopsy may be needed in some cases.
Treatment depends on the cause of the tongue problem.
If nerve damage has caused a tongue movement problem, the condition must be treated. Therapy may be needed to improve speech and swallowing.
Ankyloglossia may not need to be treated, unless you have speech or swallowing problems. Surgery to release the tongue can relieve the problem.
Medicine may be prescribed for mouth ulcers, leukoplakia, oral cancer, and other mouth sores.
Anti-inflammatory medicines may be prescribed for glossititis and geographic tongue.
This list does not include every treatment.
Reamy BV, Derby R, Bunt CW. Common tongue conditions in primary care. Am Fam Physician. 2010;81(5):627-634.
Mirowski GW, Mark LA. Oral disease and oral-cutaneous manifestations of gastrointestinal and liver disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2010:chap 22.
Finelli PF, Mair RG. Disturbances of smell and taste. In: Bradley WG, Daroff Rb, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2008:chap 19.
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.