Painful Papillae and Other Tongue Conditions

By Denise DeWitt HERWriter

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The tongue may be one of the most used and least thought about muscles in our bodies… until something goes wrong. Here are a few of the things that can cause changes in how the tongue looks and how it functions.

The tongue is a collection of muscles that are covered with mucous membrane. If you look at your tongue in a mirror, you will see small bumps all over the upper surface of the tongue. These bumps are called papillae. They help the tongue grip the food you eat to move it around in the mouth, which helps you chew and swallow. In between the papillae are the taste buds, which allow you taste. The tongue is also a key component in speech as it helps you form words.

Painful Papillae
The most common cause of tongue pain is trauma to the tongue. IF you bite your tongue, or eat something that is too hot, you may damage the papillae. Acidic foods such as orange juice and tomato sauce can make sore spots on the tongue hurt even more. Grinding the teeth or pushing the tip of the tongue against the back of the upper teeth can also cause tongue pain.

Tongue pain can also be a symptom of a condition that also affects other parts of your body:

• Severe anemia;
• Diabetes that is not controlled;
• Vitamin deficiency;
• Yeast infection;
• Oral Cancer;
• Mouth ulcers, including canker sores;
• Heavy smoking; and
• Severe dry mouth (xerostomia).

In order to treat tongue pain, your doctor or dentist will first need to determine what is causing the pain. Irritation from a bite or burn will normally heal in a few days. Try not to aggravate the condition by avoiding foods that are too hot or acidic while your tongue heals.

Geographic Tongue
When clusters of the papillae or bumps on the tongue are missing, your tongue may take on a map-like or geographic appearance. This is known as geographic tongue. It causes irregularly shaped patches that are smooth and red, similar to the appearance of a rash. Geographic tongue is harmless and is not associated by an infection or by cancer. It is usually painless, but in some cases it may cause pain or sensitivity to some foods. Geographic tongue may appear to migrate to different parts of the tongue as some areas heal while the conditions moves to other parts of the tongue.

Difficulty Moving the Tongue
Problems moving the tongue are usually caused by nerve damage. Ankyglossia or tongue tie can also limit how far the tongue can move. Problems with tongue movement can cause problems in speaking as well as problems moving food in the mouth while chewing and swallowing.

Taste Changes
Changes in the way foods taste may be caused by damage to the taste buds on the tongue. They may also be caused by an infection, as a side effect of certain medications, or by other conditions. The tongue provides the tastes of sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. Other tastes are a function of the sense of smell, which helps explain why our foods taste different when we have a cold or allergies.

Enlarged Tongue
Some conditions including Down syndrome, thyroid problems and certain metabolic disorders can cause swelling of the tongue. A person who has no teeth and does not wear dentures may also develop a wider tongue. An allergic reaction to foods or other substances may also cause the tongue to swell. Antihistamines can help reduce this kind of mild swelling. Get emergency treatment if the swelling is severe. Try to identify what you are allergic to so you can avoid it.

Hairy Tongue
This condition may make the tongue look hairy or furry. The appearance may cause concern, but hairy tongue is a harmless condition that can be treated with antibiotics.

Black Tongue
The top surface of the tongue may appear black or brown in color. This condition looks strange, but is not harmful.

Good oral hygiene and a well-balanced diet can help make sure that your tongue stays healthy. If you have any questions or concerns about the health of your tongue, contact your doctor or dentist for an evaluation.

Sources:
University of Maryland Medical Center
National Institutes of Health – Medline Plus
Simple Steps to Better Dental Health
Mayo Clinic

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.