Geographic tongue

Diagnosis

Healthcare provider or dentist can typically diagnose geographic tongue based on a thorough examination of the tongue and assessment of signs and symptoms. During the examination, they may:

• Utilize a lighted instrument to examine your tongue and mouth closely.
• Request the patient to move their tongue into various positions to assess its mobility.
• Gently palpate the tongue to check for tenderness or any unusual changes in its texture or consistency.
• Look for signs of infection, such as fever or swollen lymph nodes in the neck, which may help in ruling out other potential causes.

Treatment

Medical intervention is usually unnecessary for geographic tongue. While it may lead to occasional tongue soreness, it is generally a minor ailment. Healthcare providers might recommend medications aimed at alleviating discomfort or heightened sensitivity:

• Various over–the–counter pain relievers
• Anesthetic mouth rinses
• Antihistamine mouth rinses
• Corticosteroid ointments or rinses
• In some cases, vitamin B supplementation

The efficacy of these treatments remains uncertain due to the limited number of formal studies conducted on them. As the condition naturally resolves and follows an unpredictable course, it might be challenging to determine the effectiveness of symptomatic treatments.