Glossitis
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| Glossitis Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | K14.0 |
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| ICD-9 | 529.0 |
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Ongoing Trials on Glossitis at Clinical Trials.gov Clinical Trials on Glossitis at Google
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US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Glossitis
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Patient resources on Glossitis Discussion groups on Glossitis Directions to Hospitals Treating Glossitis Risk calculators and risk factors for Glossitis
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Causes & Risk Factors for Glossitis | |
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Glossitis is inflammation or infection of the tongue. It causes the tongue to swell and change color. Finger-like projections on the surface of the tongue (papillae) may be lost, causing the tongue to appear smooth.
Glossitis usually responds well to treatment if the cause of inflammation is removed. This disorder may be painless, or it may cause tongue and mouth discomfort. In some cases, glossitis may result in severe tongue swelling that blocks the airway, a medical emergency that needs immediate attention.
Differential Diagnosis
- Alcohol
- Allergic reactions
- Anemia
- Aphthous ulcers
- Bacterial infections
- Breath fresheners
- Burns
- Chemotherapeutics
- Cigarette smoking
- Dental caries
- Dental prosthesis
- Erythema multiform
- Folic Acid Deficiency
- Hot foods
- Inherited glossitis
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Mouthwash
- Niacin deficiency
- Oral herpes simplex
- Oral lichen planus
- Other vitamin B deficiencies
- Pemphigus vulgaris
- Pernicious Anaemia
- Pyridoxine deficiency
- Riboflavin deficiency
- Rough edges of teeth
- Spices
- Syphilis
- Toothpaste
- Trauma
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Symptoms
- Tongue swelling.
- Smooth appearance to the tongue.
- Tongue color changes (usually dark "beefy" red).
- Pale, if caused by pernicious anemia.
- Fiery red, if caused by deficiency of B vitamins.
- Sore and tender tongue.
- Difficulty with chewing, swallowing, or speaking.
A health care provider should be contacted if symptoms of glossitis persist for longer than 10 days, if tongue swelling is severe, or if breathing, speaking, chewing, or swallowing become difficult.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
- Bacterial or viral infections (including oral herpes simplex).
- Poor hydration and low saliva in the mouth may allow bacteria to grow more readily.
- Mechanical irritation or injury from burns, rough edges of teeth or dental appliances, or other trauma
- Exposure to irritants such as tobacco, alcohol, hot foods, or spices.
- Allergic reaction to toothpaste, mouthwash, breath fresheners, dyes in candy, plastic in dentures or retainers, or certain blood-pressure medications (ACE inhibitors).
- Disorders such as iron deficiency anemia, pernicious anemia and other B-vitamin deficiencies, oral lichen planus, erythema multiforme, aphthous ulcer, pemphigus vulgaris, syphilis, and others.
- Occasionally, glossitis can be inherited.
A painful tongue may be an indication of several underlying serious medical conditions and nearly always merits assessment by a doctor or dentist [1]
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation. Treatment usually does not require hospitalization unless tongue swelling is severe. Good oral hygiene is necessary, including thorough tooth brushing at least twice a day, and flossing at least daily. Corticosteroids such as prednisone may be given to reduce the inflammation of glossitis. For mild cases, topical applications (such as a prednisone mouth rinse that is not swallowed) may be recommended to avoid the side effects of swallowed or injected corticosteroids. Antibiotics, antifungal medications, or other antimicrobials may be prescribed if the cause of glossitis is an infection. Anemia and nutritional deficiencies must be treated, often by dietary changes or other supplements. Avoid irritants (such as hot or spicy foods, alcohol, and tobacco) to minimize the discomfort.
Prevention
Good oral hygiene (thorough tooth brushing and flossing and regular professional cleaning and examination) may be helpful to prevent these disorders. Drinking plenty of water and the production of enough saliva, aid in the reduction of bacterial growth. Minimize irritants or injury in the mouth when possible. Avoid excessive use of any food or substance that irritates the mouth or tongue.
References
WikiDoc Research Resources for Glossitis (Click show to right to view) | |
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| Articles on Glossitis | Most recent articles on Glossitis • Most cited articles on Glossitis • Review articles on Glossitis • Articles on Glossitis in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ |
| Media (Slides, Video, Images, MP3) on Glossitis | Powerpoint slides on Glossitis • Images of Glossitis • Photos of Glossitis • Podcasts & MP3s on Glossitis • Videos on Glossitis |
| Evidence Based Medicine Regarding Glossitis | Cochrane Collaboration on Glossitis • Bandolier on Glossitis • TRIP on Glossitis |
| Cost Effectiveness of Glossitis | Cost Effectiveness of Glossitis |
| Clinical Trials Involving Glossitis | Ongoing Trials on Glossitis at Clinical Trials.gov • Trial results on Glossitis • Clinical Trials on Glossitis at Google |
| Guidelines / Policies / Government Resources (FDA/CDC) Regarding Glossitis | US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Glossitis • NICE Guidance on Glossitis • NHS PRODIGY Guidance • FDA on Glossitis • CDC on Glossitis |
| Textbook Information on Glossitis | Books and Textbook Information on Glossitis |
| Pharmacology Resources on Glossitis | Dosing of Glossitis • Drug interactions with Glossitis • Side effects of Glossitis • Allergic reactions to Glossitis • Overdose information on Glossitis • Carcinogenicity information on Glossitis • Glossitis in pregnancy • Pharmacokinetics of Glossitis • |
| Genetics, Pharmacogenomics, and Proteinomics of Glossitis | Genetics of Glossitis • Pharmacogenomics of Glossitis • Proteomics of Glossitis |
| Newstories on Glossitis | Glossitis in the news • Be alerted to news on Glossitis • News trends on Glossitis |
| Commentary on Glossitis | Blogs on Glossitis |
| Patient Resources on Glossitis | Patient resources on Glossitis • Discussion groups on Glossitis • Patient Handouts on Glossitis • Directions to Hospitals Treating Glossitis • Risk calculators and risk factors for Glossitis |
| Healthcare Provider Resources on Glossitis | Symptoms of Glossitis • Causes & Risk Factors for Glossitis • Diagnostic studies for Glossitis • Treatment of Glossitis |
| Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programs on Glossitis | CME Programs on Glossitis |
| International Resources on Glossitis | Glossitis en Espanol • Glossitis en Francais |
| Business Resources on Glossitis | Glossitis in the Marketplace • Patents on Glossitis |
| Informatics Resources on Glossitis | List of terms related to Glossitis |
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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
