Geographic Tongue


	[The College] [The Center]

I have had geographic tongue for 11 years. It seems to only be getting worse. I am to the point now that I do not even want to lick my lips in front of anybody because it looks so bad. I am pregnant right now and that seems to be aggravating the situation. My tongue is very sore, my whole tongue above and below is broke out in the white lesions. It is irritating because it may clear up for two days then it is right back. I am tired of having this problem. One time a oral surgeon told me this could be a yeast infection so he gave me nystatin. Nevertheless. that did not work. My dentist now tells me to hold a tea bag on my tongue. I tried that, that does not seem to do nothing. Is there anything that can be done for this. If I could just have a few weeks relief from this problem I would be happy. Thank you.

Geographic tongue is a relatively common tongue problem that normally responds to topical steroids. We do not know the cause of geographic tongue and treatment does not permanently cure it. It does however, provide significant improvement of symptoms.

The safest treatment is topical Lidex gel applied about 4 times daily, just after meals and at bedtime. Your dentist should be able to prescribe it for you. There are stronger steroids available but they have side effects. Some patients with your problem have Zinc deficiency and your doctor could run zinc blood levels for you. If you are deficient, zinc supplementation really helps.

John Wright, DDS, MS
Professor, Director
Diagnostic Sciences

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