Cracked Tongue: Common Causes and Remedies

You use your tongue for eating and speaking, and any problem with it can affect both activities. One of the issues that you may encounter regarding your tongue is the presence of cracks on its surface.

Having cracks, grooves or fissures on your tongue is called cracked tongue, and this article will teach you some of its most common causes as well as the best remedies for it.

Anyone can suffer from a cracked tongue — it doesn’t matter if you are male or female, or young or old. However, some people are simply more susceptible to having a cracked tongue, according to experts.

The following are some of the most common causes of a cracked tongue:

Stress

Do you suffer from high levels of stress most of the time? Then you may be experiencing all sorts of strange signs and symptoms, and a cracked tongue could be one of them.

Cigarette smoking

There are many different health problems that can strike due to smoking, and some of them could affect your oral cavity. If you are a smoker, it’s highly possible for you to have a cracked tongue.

Alcohol

In moderation, alcohol actually offers a number of perks. But it’s a different story if it’s consumed in excessive amounts — a cracked tongue is one of the problems you may face because of it.

Dehydration

Unlike alcohol, water should not be taken in moderation but abundantly. Otherwise, your body may end up dehydrated, which can cause a host of symptoms including a cracked tongue.

Acid reflux

Do you have acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? Don’t be surprised if you experience a cracked tongue from time to time as it is one of its many signs and symptoms.

Food intolerances or allergies

If your tongue ends up cracked after the consumption of certain foods, then there is a possibility that you are intolerant or allergic to them or some compounds in them.

Nutritional deficiencies

According to doctors, it’s possible for a cracked tongue to develop if a person is deficient in certain nutrients, such as iron and vitamin B12 or biotin.

Trauma

From playing rugged sports, brushing aggressively to the presence of an orthodontic device, there are many things that can cause trauma to your tongue, causing it to develop cracks or fissures.

A cracked tongue can also be the result of some other medical conditions that require treatment, so it’s a good idea for you to consult a doctor if it seems like you have the problem most of the time.

Here are some of the remedies for a cracked tongue whose cause can be remedied at home:

Reduce stress. Do your best to avoid as much stressors as you can, and also engage in activities or hobbies that can help lower your stress levels. 

Quit cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol intake. It’s not just a cracked tongue that you may be able to dodge if you ditch smoking and alcoholism, but so many other health nightmares, too. 

Drink plenty of water. In a day, you should consume about 8 glasses of water. Not only will it keep dehydration at bay, but also help keep your mouth moist and clean, thus warding off a cracked tongue. 

Have healthy eating habits. No matter if what you have is acid reflux, nutritional deficiency or food intolerance or allergy, it’s a good idea for you to eat healthy types of foods. 

Report a problem to your dentist. If you are fitted with an orthodontic device and it’s something that hurts your tongue, it’s a good idea for you to pay your dentist a visit to have it remedied.

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