Author Name: Dr. Sandra Thompson
Parents are usually taken aback by the deep cracks observed on the tongue of their children and wonder if there is something amiss. In most cases, however, Fissured Tongue in Kids is a benign phenomenon that only affects the appearance of the tongue without posing any health risks for a child.
A fissured tongue is a tongue that features one or more lines, grooves, or cracks. They may be superficial or deeper and may appear in the middle of the tongue, radiate outwardly, or appear at the edges. As with many aspects of a human body, no two tongues look the same and the pattern of lines is individual for every person.
The phenomenon of fissured tongue is common for adults but it can also be found in infants, children, and teenagers. In some children, it is a congenital condition while for others, it appears with age. Usually, the condition is painless and doesn't affect speech, eating, or tasting of foods.
As it is not an infectious disorder and is not associated with poor hygiene, fissured tongue is not contagious. Nevertheless, food debris and bacteria may get stuck in the lines and require regular tongue brushing as a preventive measure.
As there are many other conditions of the mouth that may have an impact on the tongue, parents should be careful not to diagnose their children based on these characteristics themselves. Instead, a pediatric dentist would be able to check the tongue and determine whether the grooves in question indicate a normal condition called fissured tongue, or if something else needs attention.
The precise cause of Fissured Tongue in Children is not always known. Most children develop it naturally, and it is regarded as a variation of the tongue anatomy and not as a disorder. It is believed that different causes are responsible for the occurrence of the condition.
One of the common causes of this problem is genetics. Fissured tongue may run in families. This means that the disorder can be passed down genetically from a parent or other relative. Other relatives having fissures on their tongues could mean that the cause is genetic.
Some people are born with small cracks that widen as they get older. Fissured tongue is usually common in adults, but it may also occur in children and adolescents while their tongues keep growing.
A dry mouth can make these grooves more prominent and make it easier for food to get stuck in them. It is important to remain well-hydrated in order to maintain comfort in your mouth.
Oral hygiene problems will not lead to fissured tongue, but insufficient cleansing of the tongue will result in food debris, bacteria, and other materials accumulating in the grooves of the tongue.
In certain instances, nutritional deficiencies could be linked to changes in the tongue. Although uncommon, the doctor or pediatric dentist might suggest undergoing other diagnostic procedures in case there are other symptoms pointing to nutrition-related problems.
A child with geographic tongue is likely to have a fissured tongue too. The two benign conditions often go hand-in-hand; however, one condition doesn’t lead to the other. A pediatric dentist can help diagnose the two different conditions from one another.
Repetitive friction between the tongue and teeth, irritation due to braces or any other orthodontic devices, and consumption of spicy, acidic, or salty foods can irritate an already fissured tongue despite the fact that they are not the causes of fissured tongue syndrome.
Though rare, there may be other underlying problems that can lead to this kind of condition. In the case where a child presents other oral conditions, the pediatric dentist will have to do further assessment or coordinate care with the child’s doctor.
The majority of cases with Fissured Tongue in Children do not have any symptoms. The parents can detect this disorder through their children’s normal brushing procedure, when cleaning the teeth of their kids, or even in a pediatric dental clinic examination.
Parents may notice one or more of the following:
Although fissured tongue is usually harmless, proper tongue cleaning helps prevent food debris and bacteria from building up inside the grooves.
Because several oral conditions can affect the tongue, it is important not to assume that every crack or change has the same cause.
Most times, mouth sores (canker sores) are characterized by ulcers that have a white or yellow color and are surrounded by red. Fissured tongue is usually painless while mouth sores cause a lot of pain and they heal within two weeks.
Oral thrush normally results in creamy-white patches on the tongue or inside the mouth. The patches cannot easily be rubbed off and they may leave irritated tissues.
Injuries of the tongue are a result of accidental tongue bites, hot food, or trauma. They usually occur abruptly and are characterized by pain, swelling, or bleeding.
The symptoms of a tongue infection include swelling, warmth, redness, discharge of pus, fever, and increasing pain. All these should not be ignored since they need immediate evaluation by a doctor or a dentist.
When parents are not sure about any abnormality of their child’s tongue, it would be advisable for them to consult a pediatric dentist.
For the most part, children with Fissured Tongue don't require any medical treatment at all because the condition is usually harmless and the main concern is maintaining a clean tongue without irritation.
In cases where the child has no pain, swelling, or problems swallowing food, the dentist may just choose to monitor the tongue at the regular dental checkups.
The process of scrubbing the tongue regularly using a soft-bristled brush or even a tongue scraper can go a long way in ensuring that the trapped bits of food and bacteria are removed from the tongue grooves.
Maintaining healthy oral habits supports the entire mouth, including the tongue. Parents should encourage children to:
Drinking plenty of water helps reduce dry mouth and supports a healthy oral environment. Proper hydration may also make the tongue feel more comfortable.
If certain foods trigger discomfort, it may help to temporarily limit:
Once irritation improves, many children can gradually return to their normal diet.
The pediatric dentist will be able to determine whether the changes in the tongue are indeed indicative of a fissured tongue or not. The dentist will also examine the tongue to rule out plaque accumulation, geographic tongue, dry mouth, and any other causes of the symptoms.
In case the fissured tongue exists together with other symptoms like geographic tongue, dry mouth, or oral infections, then the dentist will prescribe treatment according to the root problem instead of the fissures.
The parents should not try any home remedies or scrubbing of the tongue too hard or using aseptic mouth washes unless prescribed by the dentist.
Although Fissured Tongue in Kids is usually a normal and harmless finding, parents should schedule a pediatric dental visit if they have concerns about their child's tongue or notice symptoms that are unusual or worsening.
You should contact a pediatric dentist if your child has:
The dentist will perform an examination of the tongue and the other structures in the mouth, look at the patient's medical and dental history, and figure out whether the problem is merely that of fissured tongue or another issue with the oral cavity needs to be treated.
Typically, no. Fissured tongue in children is generally benign and is unlikely to cause any harm, particularly when there is no pain, swelling, bleeding, or difficulty with eating.
The grooves will stay intact; however, problems like irritation or halitosis may be resolved by regular tongue cleaning and oral hygiene practices.
No. Fissured tongue cannot be spread between children and is noncontagious.
Yes. Particles of food may get into the fissures of the tongue, so gentle cleaning and rinsing with water after eating might be beneficial for your child.
Visit the dentist for children in case of pain, bleeding, swelling, whitish spots, fever, difficulty eating, bad breath, or other unexpected alterations of the tongue.
9859 W Deer Springs Way #110
Las Vegas, NV 89149
We proudly serve Las Vegas, Providence, Skye Canyon, Summerlin and Centennial Hills.
Mon-Thurs: 8am-5pm
Friday: 8am-12pm