Home Remedies for Geographic Tongue

In this article, we would like to introduce to you about the condition named Geographic Tongue as well as the top 10 treatments.

What is Geographic Tongue?

Also known under the name Migratory glosstitis, it is the condition which impacts both sides and the top of the tongue. Even though it is harmless, it can be rather uncomfortable problem ^{[1] [2]}.

It makes the papillae areas turn white and become more pronounced. As a result, there will be pink as well as white and red patches on tongue and they are also changing in position from time to time ^{[3] [4]}.

Occasionally, the tongue will increase in its sensitivity against spicy, hot and acidic foods. Furthermore, the red patches will be more prone to infection from candida (thrush). Additionally, it will be accompanied by bad breath and sores, even burning pain ^{[5] [6]}.

What causes Geographic Tongue?

The exact cause of this oral condition is hard to identify. There are some factors which can trigger this condition like emotional stress as well as few other psychological disorders, allergies, oral para-functional habits, deficiency of nutrition, disturbances of hormone and diabetes ^[7].

Moreover, this condition is commonly seen in people who are having psoriasis. It is even considered as the oral form of psoriasis ^[8].

This condition does not spare anyone, irrespective of sex and age. Fortunately, this condition is contagious and will not develop into cancer. However, it will last for months or even years. It might have gone on its own but will return later on ^[9].

Here are the top 10 most effective home remedies for geographic tongue which are simple and easy for you to apply at home in order to get rid of this oral condition and improve your oral health.

1. Dietary Choices

The first tip in the list of home remedies for geographic tongue is performing some alternation in your diet. You need to limit and avoid some irritants from foods as they might aggravate those sensitive tissues from the tongue. Irritants from food often make the condition worsen, thus increase difficulties for the treatment.

How to do:

• Keep out of foods which are spicy, hot, salty and acidic.
• Keep out of tobacco products.
• Keep out of foods which are heavily flavored.
• Keep out of vegetables and fruits which are acidic.
• Restrain on the consumption of process foods with high sugary.

2. Fluid Intake

This tip is the one from the list of home remedies for geographic tongue which you should definitely follow. By maintain hydration, you can be able to soothe many discomforts from geographic tongue. In order to improve hydration, you just need to increase the intake of fluid. Furthermore, sufficient hydration will enhance the saliva production which is beneficial for oral health.

How to use:

• Consume sufficient water during the day. Also you might take some ice cubes to suck on.
• Consume some chunks of frozen water-based fruits as well as vegetables such as cucumber and watermelon.
• Consume smoothies and juices from vegetables and fruits.
• Consume 1 – 2 glasses of coconut water every day.
• Consume some herbal teas such as chamomile and green tea.

Keep out of sugary drinks as well as restrain the consumption of alcoholic beverages, coffee and regular tea.

3. Vegetable Glycerin

Another excellent tip from the list of home remedies for geographic tongue is none other than vegetable glycerin. It is remarkably effective in moisturizing the tongue, thus improve the healing as well as remove bad breath.

How to use:

• Take a cotton ball to soak in the glycerin and apply directly onto the tongue. After 5 minutes, have your tongues brushed using toothbrush with soft-bristle. Then have your mouth rinsed using warm water. Perform twice every day for couples of day.
• Also you might take the glycerin mouthwash to use for 2 – 3 times per day.

4. Aloe Vera

The healing and anti-inflammatory properties from Aloe Vera are what make it a valuable ingredient in the list of home remedies for geographic tongue. Moreover, it can even help you remove the bad breath ^[10].

How to use:

• Take some gel from a fresh leaf of Aloe Vera and apply directly onto the tongue. After 10 minutes, cleanse off using warm water. Perform couples of time every day.
• Also you might use Aloe Vera juice for cleansing the mouth 2 to 3 times per day.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

It would a huge mistake to forget about apple cider vinegar in the list of home remedies for geographic tongue because it can effectively balance the pH level as well as combat against infection ^[11].

The acidic and sour taste might bring some burning sensation at first, but the improvement will definitely come along ^[12].

How to use:

• Take a tablespoon of unfiltered raw vinegar with ¼ teaspoon of baking soda into some water. Use the mixture for cleansing your mouth in 2 to 3 times per day.
• Take a tablespoon of vinegar with some a little bit of honey into some water. Consume slowly for 1 to 2 times per day.
• Perform until the symptoms are subsided.

6. Oil Pulling

This particular remedy from the list of home remedies for geographic tongue is extremely efficient in treating the red patches on tongue. This remedy will support the detoxification of toxins from mouth as well as body. Additionally, it even enhances your oral health.

How to use:

• Take a tablespoon of sesame or coconut oil which is cold-presses and organic into the mouth.
• Have the oil swished inside your mouth for at least 10 minutes.
• Then spit it out and have your mouth cleansed using warm water.
• Then have your teeth brushed as usual.
• Perform every morning before having breakfast.

Note: Avoid swallowing the oil.

7. Mint

The mighty antibacterial property form mint can effectively prevent bacteria from growing inside your mouth, thus help you avoid a lot of oral problems. Additionally, it will help you soothe the burning sensation on tongue as well as bring your fresh breath.

How to use:

• Have a cup of strong mint tea prepared, then put into the fridge for chilling about 30 minutes and consume. Perform couples of time every day.
• Take fresh leaves of mint or mint gum to chew every day.
• Also you should use more oral products with mint base like mouthwash or toothpaste.

8. Hydrogen Peroxide

Another remedy from the list of home remedies for geographic tongue which can efficiently treat the red patches is the hydrogen peroxide. Containing antibacterial property, it can prevent bacteria from growing inside the mouth, thus decrease the risk of being infected. In case of oral treatment, you should use the 3% hydrogen peroxide ^[13].

How to use:

• Take some 3% hydrogen peroxide and water in equal amount.
• Use a cotton ball to soak in the solution and apply directly onto the affected area.
• After couples of second, cleanse off using warm water.
• Perform couples of time per day in few days.

9. Vitamin B

Deficiency of vitamin B is also a factor contributed to the occurrence of geographic tongue. Therefore, you need to supply sufficiently vitamin B through food consumption. Having adequate level of this vitamin can even prevent your tongue from recurrence of this condition as well ^[14].

How to do:

• Consume more foods which are abundant of vitamin B (particularly vitamin B12) like whole grains, bran, oats, yogurt, cheese, milk, eggs and salmon.
• Also you might take supplement of vitamin but only after consulting the doctor.

10. Zinc

Another element which deficiency can also cause geographic tongue is zinc. Therefore, supple sufficiently zinc will help you alleviate the discomforts greatly. Moreover, having adequate level of zinc can even enhance your sense of smell and taste ^{[15] [16]}.

How to do:

You might take the supplement of zinc in the forms of lozenges, capsules and tablets but only after consulting the doctor.

Also you can consume more foods which are rich in zinc such as red meat, oyster, fish, crab, cheese, milk, yogurt, nuts, seeds, lentils, beans, fortified cereals, spinach, kefir and green leafy vegetables.

Extra Tips:

• Take an ice cube to rub onto the tongue for relieving temporarily.
• Apply some anti-inflammatory steroid onto the tongue for alleviating the discomfort.
• Maintain good oral hygiene through brushing teeth twice every day and flossing on a regular basis.
• Do not scrape your tongue when you are having geographic tongue.
• Keep out of toothpaste which contains tartar-control additives, whitening agents and heavy flavoring.
• Have your stress level under control as it might worsen your condition.
• Follow a routine of cleansing and detoxifying especially the colon.

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