Vitamin deficiencies can cause symptoms that range from minor to serious. Folic acid, also known as folate, is a type of B vitamin. While a healthy diet can provide adequate amounts of this nutrient, some individuals may experience a deficiency...
Geographic tongue gets its name from the maplike appearance caused by the smooth, red lesions on your tongue. Fortunately, geographic tongue is benign and doesn't require major treatment; however, it may not ever go away entirely, and you may not...
Tiny red bumps on the tip of your tongue often signal a condition called geographic tongue, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The bumps often cause pain and may recur for several years. Recognize the signs and symptoms of geographic tongue to...
The tongue is a strong muscle in the mouth that allows for easy swallowing and speaking. The tongue also contains a wide variety of taste buds that allow people to enjoy their food. Sometimes, certain diseases infiltrate the tongue and can turn it...
The main functions of the tongue are to allow taste, help with chewing and swallowing and aid in the formation of words. The tongue is composed of muscles and covered with taste buds and small bumps called papillae. Most common tongue diseases...
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, common tongue problems include pain, swelling or changes in the tongue's appearance. Minor infections or irritations are among the most common causes of...
There are numerous diseases of the tongue papillae. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health or NIH, a person's tongue helps her chew, taste and swallow, and common tongue problems include pain,...
A cracked tongue is marked by one or more fissures on the tongue surface. It has multiple causes, ranging from poor nutrition to anemia. Understanding the possible causes of your cracked, sore tongue and the accompanying symptoms can help you and...
The tongue is a fleshy and movable organ, made up of many groups of muscles. It is the primary organ of taste and assists in swallowing, chewing and the production of speech. When the tongue has a white appearance, it usually occurs temporarily...
Deficiencies in certain B vitamins, including vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6 and folate, can cause soreness and swelling in the tongue. Vitamin deficiencies can cause other potential serious health problems, so contact your doctor if you suspect you...
A white coating on a child's tongue can be caused by underlying medical conditions. Often parents will wonder if a white coating is simply normal food residue on a child's tongue. A simple swipe of the tongue with a wet washcloth will help...
Your tongue is a muscle covered by a mucous membrane, which can make it susceptible to bacteria and infection. Color changes, sores and bumps on the tongue are common tongue problems, but they are rarely the sign of a serious condition. In most...
Chlorhexidine gluconate is a medication used to treat gingivitis, an inflammation of your gums. Symptoms of gingivitis include redness, bleeding and swelling of your gums. According to Drugs.com, chlorhexidine gluconate is a germicidal mouthwash...
The tongue functions to help move food around in the mouth, it houses the taste buds and it helps form words when speaking. The tongue is normally pink in color with taste buds on the surface. Conditions such as bacteria, fungus and dead cells on...
Deficiencies in nutrients involved in red blood cell formation can lead to anemia, a condition that often causes inflammation, soreness and swelling of the tongue. Anemia, also known as "tired blood," can cause permanent damage if left untreated....
The tongue is susceptible to all sorts of injury from eating and drinking, tooth grinding, biting and rigorous tooth brushing. The Merck Manuals online medical library attributes most issues of tongue discomfort to traumatic injury. Finding a...
Chlorhexidine gluconate is an antimicrobial oral rinse that helps kill bacteria in the mouth. It is used to treat gingivitis, a condition characterized by redness and swelling of the gums, and bleeding from the gums after probing. Therapy can last...
The tongue is covered with a mucus membrane and mainly is composed of muscles. The tongue naturally is covered with small white bumps called papillae. The tongue serves the purpose of moving food around your mouth as you eat and helps you form...
When you first look into the mirror, you may notice your smile, your teeth, your eyes, your skin, your hair and your nose, but at some point, you may find it worthy to examine something just beneath the surface -- your tongue. Your tongue not only...
A cracked tongue may indicate that you have a condition called scrotal tongue. Other names for a scrotal tongue include furrowed tongue, lingua fissurata, lingua plicata, lingua scrotalis, plicated tongue or grooved tongue. Most people who have...
