Cracks down centre of white tongue? Should I be worried? (teeth, mouthwash)

[swisstrees]

I have an ongoing white tongue issue for a couple of years now, seen several GP's and one dentist on the issue and nobody seems to know whats up.
Recently however, my white tongue has begun to get a bit yellow toward the back and down the centre and has a series of horizontal cracks down the length of the middle,
I originally became aware of this when the tip of my tongue began to sting, the symptoms go on and off but when the tongue is gunkiest? it stings and appears bright red.

Should I be concerned? I'd get in touch with my GP but sadly they are away for a few weeks

[oldgardener]

Google images for "oral lichen planus" and see if that looks like what you have. Also, fissured tongue.

[RamenAddict]

Thrush? Do you take inhaled corticosteroids? I was talking to someone recently who told me there are some he has tried that give him thrush almost immediately even if he washes his mouth out.

[kevxu]

It is a bit late for this now, but maybe when the cracks in your tongue have healed you should consider doing it.

I had a problem with a white tongue and it was getting worse. My dentist said to brush it when I brushed my teeth - just don't scrub the hell out of it. And after a few weeks the condition began to reverse itself, and I just brush my tongue as part of brushing my teeth. I have a friend who had similar results.

I also use Eludril mouthwash once, sometimes twice a week, which the dentist recommended.

But not when you have an open crack on your tongue!

[guidoLaMoto]

Unlikely for a condition that has lasted continuously for years to represent a disease. More likely the white film is just a good ol' "coated tongue-" drying secretions seen in dehydration-- not systemic for years on end- but local from mouth breathing or sicca syndrome (low saliva output) seen in normal aging, with rheumatoid problems or from meds. (or maybe you just talk too much? )


The fissures were probably always there and you just never noticed them. Very deep, obvious fissures are called a "geographic tongue" and is a normal (probably genetic) variation. (BTW- in case you also just noticed them for the first time, those big bumps way back at the base of your tongue are just taste buds. They're not tumors.)


The recurring episodes of stinging on the tip of the tongue is caused by the plugging up of a saliva gland (microscopic, single units that line the whole tongue; as opposed to the big, major saliva glands like the parotid). Debris from food or sloughed off cells can plug them up and prevent the saliva from exiting, so the built up pressure is painful. They're also more likely to occur in times of local dehydration.


The yellow represents the metabolism/breakdown of DNA in the dead cells that have been laying around a while in the secretions. (Also the reason mucous turns green & yellow when you have a cold.)


Now, what I just wrote is what's probably going on, but nobody should trust the opinion of some goof out in the Internet Cloud who has never examined you and may not even have the story right. Better see a doc. Dentists do have more experience with examining mouths, so maybe that is a good alternative choice rather than seeing another bewildered physician.