How to help a geographic tongue!!! What helps?
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Geographic Tongue is a benign, most often asymptomatic, inflammation of the tongue (glossitis) that may come and go and recur over time. The term alludes to the ‘map-like’ appearance of the irregular, denuded patches on the tongue’s surface that may feel slightly sore, ‘hot’ and itchy. The patches, and the patterns they form, result from the loss of the tiny finger-like projections (papillae) from the tongue’s surface.Unfortunately, we still don't know what causes geographic tongue (aka "migratory glossitis") or whether children like your daughter will outgrow it.
Geographic tongue gets its name from these strange blotches that appear on children's tongues, looking a bit like continents on a world map. The spots, which can be a few millimeters to a few centimeters in diameter, are usually red with a white border.
Geographic tongue normally comes and goes. The blotches heal without scarring, and if new lesions do pop up, they usually appear in different areas -- hence the term "migratory" in the medical name. Rarely, they can affect the gums, lips, palate, and other parts of the mouth.
Some experts believe this condition, which appears to affect about 1% of American children, is a congenital problem, while others consider allergic inflammation to be the culprit. Although researchers aren't sure of its cause, geographic tongue has been linked to psoriasis, anemia, allergies, and psychological problems.
Children with this condition don't usually experience much pain or discomfort, although from time to time they may complain that the lesions burn. If that happens to your child, talk to your pediatrician or dentist to make sure that geographic tongue is actually what's causing the problem. In the meantime, have your child avoid foods and drinks that are hot and spicy or extremely acidic. Your child can also try over- the-counter numbing medicines that are sometimes used by teething children. They can provide a little relief, but should be considered only as a short-term solution.
If you have a real case of geographic tongue, you should avoid spicy foods and tartar control toothpaste. Switch to a toothpaste for sensitive teeth. The reason I made the comment about having a real case of geographic tongue, is because my mother was diagnosed with it until she saw another doctor who showed her pictures of what geographic tongue really is. Geographic tongue turns white like chalk in the areas where it is affected. It was later discovered that my mother's problems with her tongue stemmed from other underlying illness that were not life threatening but had to do with her digestive system and acid reflux.
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