Glossitis - symptoms and treatment

Glossitis: symptoms and treatment in adults

Contents:

• What is glossitis

• Symptoms of glossitis

• Causes of glossitis in adults

• Types of glossitis in adults

• How and with what to treat glossitis in adults

• Prevention of glossitis

• Doctor's advice

• Answers on questions

There are many factors that lead to pathologies in the oral cavity. Glossitis - what is it? This is a term that combines various diseases of the tongue.

Treatment of glossitis

The treatment of glossitis is based on the correction of underlying diseases and the elimination of factors that provoke the occurrence of the inflammatory process. In addition, the therapy program includes:

• adherence to a diet that includes the inclusion of various purees, slimy porridges and pureed soups in the patient’s diet;
• rinsing the mouth with solutions of furatsilin or chlorhexidine;
• applications with solutions of pyromecaine, trimecaine, lidocaine and other anesthetics;
• relieving signs of dry tongue using a mixture of glycerin and anesthesin;
• accelerating the process of regeneration of affected tissues using drugs made on the basis of solcoseryl and vitamin A;
• surgical intervention (in the presence of pronounced hyperkeratic changes).

It is important to know that with timely and competent treatment, inflammatory lesions of the tongue can be easily corrected. An unfavorable outcome of the disease, characterized by the development of abscesses, cellulitis and cancer, is observed only in the absence of adequate therapy.

Symptoms of glossitis:

1. pain when eating and moving the tongue;
2. difficulty moving;
3. color change, plaque appearance;
4. swelling of the mucous membrane;
5. deformation;
6. loss of taste sensitivity (partial or complete);
7. sensation of a lump in the throat, a foreign object in the oral cavity;
8. the appearance of solid formations and compactions.

If these symptoms are detected, you should immediately contact dentistry in Moscow to avoid complications or the disease developing into chronic glossitis.

General symptoms of glossitis

The first signs of inflammation of the tongue are discomfort, burning and the sensation of a foreign body in the mouth. Subsequently, the tongue noticeably swells and acquires a burgundy or scarlet hue. The symptomatic picture of the disease may include:

• increased salivation;
• dullness or complete loss of taste;
• perversion of taste;
• pain and difficulty eating;
• slurred speech;
• the patient's desire not to use the tongue when creating sounds.

Symptoms of chronic glossitis

Chronic glossitis is characterized by persistent swelling and changes in the structure of the tissues of the tongue. With bacterial inflammation, hyperemia, soreness, swelling of the affected area and a local increase in temperature can be observed. The development of glossitis, which is of viral origin, is accompanied by the appearance of small blisters on the surface of the tongue, which eventually open and form painful erosions. The disease, which is of a fungal nature, is manifested by the appearance of a dense or loose white coating on the affected surface, as well as hyperplastic changes in tissue.

Causes of glossitis in adults

There are many factors that lead to the occurrence of this pathology:

• infectious factor (viruses, bacteria, fungi);
• inflammatory gum diseases (periodontitis, gingivitis), carious teeth;
• poor oral hygiene;
• thermal, chemical burns;
• injury to the tongue with sharp objects, including sharp edges of fillings and dentures;
• smoking;
• reduced immunity.

Most often, patients have several factors that lead to

Types of glossitis in adults

• Interstitial glossitis - occurs with syphilis, often leads to cancerous tumors of the tongue
• Gunterovsky - the initial symptom of pernicious anemia, manifests itself in the form of smoothing of the surface.
• Diamond-shaped tongue is a developmental anomaly.
• Folded is a congenital developmental anomaly.
• Hairy tongue - severe keratinization of filiform papillae, resulting in a black coating.
• Geographic (folded) - noticeable red spots, furrows.
• Ulcerative – bleeding ulcers and bad breath are observed.
• Catarrhal - a white dense coating covers the entire surface of the muscle.

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Types of glossitis

In modern dental practice, it is customary to distinguish the following forms of glossitis:

• deep;
• desquamative;
• diamond-shaped;
• villous;
• folded;
• Gunter's;
• interstitial.

Deep glossitis

Deep glossitis is characterized by the occurrence of an inflammatory process at the bottom of the mouth and its gradual spread to the neck and chin. In most cases, the clinical picture of the disease is complemented by the formation of abscesses.

Desquamative glossitis

Desquamative glossitis is detected in pregnant women and people suffering from chronic gastrointestinal diseases, parasitic pathologies, liver diseases, blood diseases and metabolic disorders. The development of the inflammatory process is based on focal destruction of epithelial tissue, so its main symptoms are bright red spots, lines and furrows on the surface of the tongue.

Diamond-shaped glossitis

Diamond-shaped glossitis occurs against the background of gastritis with low acidity and other gastrointestinal diseases. Clinically, this form of the disease is manifested by the formation of bright red or bluish diamond-shaped areas in the root zone of the tongue. In some cases, the affected surface may atrophy, become covered with dense bumpy growths or hyperplastic growths.

Villous glossitis

Villous glossitis is characterized by elongation and keratinization of the papillae of the tongue. The risk group for this pathology includes smokers, as well as people suffering from candidiasis and using medications for a long time.

Folded glossitis

Folded glossitis is manifested by the appearance of painless folds on the back of the tongue. This form of pathology is congenital and requires treatment only for aesthetic reasons.

Gunter's glossitis

Gunter's glossitis occurs against the background of anemia caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12 in the body. In this case, the surface of the tongue acquires a bright crimson color, becomes smooth and shiny.

Interstitial glossitis

Interstitial glossitis is characterized by the replacement of part of the muscle tissue of the tongue with connective tissue and is one of the signs of syphilis of the tertiary period. This form of the disease is considered a precancerous condition in the patient and requires urgent treatment.

Answers on questions

What diagnostics are carried out before treatment?

The dentist examines the patient, collects medical history data: complaints, data on the patient’s general health (presence of chronic diseases). If necessary, laboratory diagnostics are prescribed: a smear (culture) from the oral cavity for microflora.

How to treat hairy tongue in adults?

The doctor prescribes complete sanitation of the oral cavity: removal of stone, plaque, and carious teeth. Selects individual home hygiene products. Prescribes a diet that includes plenty of fluids and solid vegetables. Smoking is prohibited. If necessary, the dentist prescribes rinsing solutions and antibacterial agents.

Table - diseases that manifest as a sore on the tongue

Below is a table with a detailed description of tongue diseases.