Scalloped Tongue Treatment: Why Do You Need it?
Those wavy edges on the sides of your tongue aren’t serious, but you need a dental examination to learn its causes. We recommend having it examined by an expert dentist in Chandler.
Scalloped Tongue: What is it?
Scalloped Tongue is a condition where the edges of the tongue have irregular, wavy lines instead of the normal smooth edges. These ripples can cause pain, turn red, and make eating difficult. In some cases, it can be a cause of concern as it doesn’t appear normal. A scalloped tongue is also known as a wavy, rippled, indented, crenated, or corrugated tongue.
While this is not a serious condition like chronic diseases, we suggest making an appointment with Peace of Mind Dental Studio in Chandler to have it assessed by our experienced dentist. They will conduct a comprehensive examination to determine the root causes of the problem.
Causes of Scalloped Tongue
Understanding the underlying causes of Scalloped Tongue can help determine the problem with your tongue. Therefore, it is essential to undergo a dental examination to identify these causes.
- Dehydration: Dehydration is the most common culprit of the scalloped tongue. If you are dehydrated, the body parts swell, including your tongue, which causes the rippled edges.
- Anxiety: You might believe that anxiety merely affects your mental function. It also affects other body parts, including your fast heartbeat, fidgeting hands, restlessness, prickling at the tip of your fingers and toes, and even swelling of your tongue as you clench and unclench your jaw and chew the insides of your cheek. With continuous pressure, the waves appear on the tongue.
- Sleep Apnea: Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder wherein your tongue muscles relax and cause disruption in the passing of air, leading to irregular breathing. In cases of sleep apnea, you might bite down hard on your tongue in your sleep, causing the rippled edges. For the best treatments, book an appointment with Peace of Mind Dental Studio in Chandler.
- Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism refers to low levels of thyroid hormone, which can lead to multiple problems, such as tiredness, hair loss, low blood pressure, tongue swelling, etc.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of essential nutrients causes multiple issues, including a swollen tongue.
symptoms
Symptoms of A Scalloped Tongue
Look out for these symptoms to understand the problem and book a dental appointment.
Extreme Discomfort: As the swelling around the tongue increases, the indentations become painful, and the discomfort increases.
Visible Waves: When you feel something wrong with your tongue, check it, and if you can see wavy ripples around your tongue, know that you have a scalloped tongue and need treatment.
Distraction Methods – Therapeutic interventions – Pain management
Scalloped Tongue: Diagnosis
It is advised that you are transparent about your health, past complications, any medical history, habits such as smoking and drinking (which leads to dryness of the mouth), any recent symptoms of health issues that you faced, etc.
It will help us diagnose your problem correctly, and the right treatment plan shall follow. Diagnosis also involves blood tests and other medical tests that clearly show your overall health.
Scalloped Tongue Treatment
Here are the different treatments available for a ridged tongue:
- Hypothyroidism: If hypothyroidism is the reason for your scalloped tongue, then the line of treatment shall go through the treatment of the thyroid. We need to work on the root cause of your temporary tongue discomfort.
- Dehydration: If you are healthy and have no health conditions leading to tongue swelling, dehydration might be the culprit. You must drink lots of fluids every day to keep yourself hydrated and your tongue in the right shape.
- Anxiety: Anxiety medications can help you calm down and thus eliminate resulting issues such as the corrugated tongue.
- Genetic Disorders: Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome or Apert syndrome often cause macroglossia (big tongue). Although, your tongue size can be reduced via surgery.
- Mouth Guard for Scalloped Tongue: A mouth guard effectively treats scalloped tongue, bruxism, sleep apnea, etc. It creates space for the tongue to settle without you biting down on it, which tackles swelling and indentation caused by teeth grinding.
Peace of Mind Dental Studio: Your Path to Oral Wellness
Tongue swelling or rippled tongue is not a serious problem and does not cause any complications except for severe discomfort. However, it might indicate other health issues. Thus, you must book a dental appointment as soon as possible with Peace of Mind Dental Studio, the best dentistry in Chandler, where we pride ourselves on putting patient comfort first.
For more details, contact us and book an appointment!
SCALLOPED TONGUE FAQS
answering your questions about scalloped tongue…
Is scalloped tongue a serious condition?
No, it is not. Most people don’t even realize they have scalloped tongue unless they experience discomfort. If you control your habits, such as bruxism and tongue thrusting, the condition gets reversed on its own.
When should I see a doctor for a scalloped tongue?
Can scalloped tongue cause complications?
Have more questions? Please call us at 480-608-5444 or email us and we’ll be able to talk you through the process.
Tips & advice from Dr. Silverman: