06-04-2025
Glossitis is the name given to the inflammation of the tongue. When suffering from glossitis, your tongue can swell up, change colour, and change texture, which may impact how you eat or talk. Several factors can cause glossitis, including allergies, trauma and deficiencies, and treatment of the condition will vary depending on this. This article will examine the causes of glossitis, types of the condition, common symptoms, and treatment methods used .
Key Takeaways
- Glossitis is the name given to swelling of the tongue. It can also cause a change in tongue texture and colour.
- Several factors can cause glossitis, including deficiencies, trauma, and allergies.
- Most cases of glossitis will not require a trip to the doctor, and symptoms should last no longer than 10 days.
What is Glossitis?
Before looking into symptoms and treatment, it is important to ask, ‘what is glossitis?’.
Glossitis is a condition in which the tongue becomes inflamed, swollen, and sore. The colour and texture of the tongue may also change, and papillae (the small bumps that cover the tongue) may disappear, giving the tongue a glossy or shiny look.
Glossitis can be acute (occurring once) or chronic (recuring over time).
Types of Glossitis
There are several unique types of glossitis, and knowing their symptoms and appearances simplifies diagnosis. Types of glossitis include:
Atrophic Glossitis:
Atrophic glossitis affects the papillae (small bumps on your tongue), shrinking them and changing the surface and texture of the tongue. When suffering from atrophic glossitis, your tongue may appear smooth or glossy due to the shrinkage of papillae. This condition is also called hunter glossitis.
Median Rhomboid Glossitis:
Median rhomboid glossitis typically affects the back and middle of the tongue. Part of the tongue will become red and may rise or swell up. Doctors believe that median rhomboid glossitis is a sign of a fungal infection called candida glossitis.
Burning Tongue Syndrome :
Burning tongue syndrome affects the tip of the tongue and the roof of the mouth. As its name suggests, it is a painful condition that makes a mouth feel as though it is burning. Most cases of burning mouth syndrome will affect people going through menopause, but it can affect people of any age.
Geographic Tongue :
Geographic tongue is a harmless condition that causes red and smooth patches to appear sporadically over the tongue. Often, these smooth patches will resemble how countries are drawn on a map, which is where the name geographic tongue arises from.
Causes of Glossitis
There are several causes of glossitis, and identifying the reason behind the ailment is a key aspect of treating it. Common causes of glossitis include:
Allergens
Often, what causes glossitis is a simple allergic reaction. When an allergen or irritant comes into contact with the tongue, it can cause the papillae to react and swell up or shrink. Common irritants may include oral care products like toothpaste and certain medications.
Disease
Immunodeficiency diseases have been known to also attack the tongue and, in turn, become a cause of glossitis. Herpes simplex (oral herpes), mainly known for causing cold sores, can also cause the tongue to swell and irritate.
Oral Trauma
Mouth trauma, including injuries from accidents, dental procedures, and small infractions like biting your tongue, can all affect tongue health and become a cause of glossitis.
Deficiencies
Many deficiencies, including a lack of iron (anaemia) and vitamin B12, can trigger glossitis. Low levels of iron, in particular, can lead to poor muscle health throughout the body, including in the tongue.
Hormonal Changes
Periods of intense hormonal change can serve as a trigger for glossitis. During menopause, lowered oestrogen levels contribute to a decreased sensitivity in tastebuds, which is in turn thought to be a burning tongue cause. For this reason, burning mouth syndrome is also called menopausal glossitis.
Alcohol and Tobacco Use
Excessive use of alcohol or tobacco can affect the health of your tongue and the papillae on it, leading to glossitis.
Is Glossitis Contagious?
Whether or not glossitis is contagious will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. In cases where the cause of glossitis is a virus like herpes simplex, then there is a potential that the condition is transmissible and close contact with others should be avoided.
When caused by hormonal changes, deficiencies, trauma or other uncommunicable means, then glossitis will not be contagious.
Glossitis Symptoms
Glossitis symptoms will vary depending on the underlying cause of the condition, but some symptoms are common across causes, including:
A glossy and smooth tongue
Soreness in the tongue
Swelling of the tongue
Visible redness across the tongue or in patches
Difficulty eating or swallowing
Signs and symptoms of glossitis will vary, but if you experience one or many of these symptoms, then you may be suffering from the condition.
How is Glossitis Diagnosed?
If you have noticed any of the signs or symptoms of glossitis, then you may decide to visit a doctor. When trying to diagnose glossitis, your doctor will examine your mouth and tongue, looking for inflammation, redness, tenderness, and missing papillae.
Once your doctor has determined whether you have glossitis, they may choose to perform further tests to check for an underlying condition. Blood tests may be performed to check for viral infections or deficiencies that could be causing glossitis.
Treatment and Recovery
Much like the symptoms of the condition, glossitis treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. Doctors may recommend several treatments for the condition, the most common being:
Medications: In cases where an infection is behind your glossitis, your doctor may prescribe medications such as antibiotics or antifungals as treatment. As median rhomboid glossitis is typically caused by fungal infection, doctors often prescribe medication as median rhomboid glossitis treatment.
Oral Care: Diseases that cause glossitis can come from the buildup of bacteria within the mouth, meaning proper oral care is vital. Brushing your teeth and tongue twice a day should help minimise the buildup of bacteria and reduce the risk of glossitis.
Dietary Changes: If deficiencies are the cause of glossitis for you, then your doctor may recommend supplements or dietary changes to balance out levels of vital nutrients.
Learning and Avoiding Triggers: In cases of chronic glossitis, it is important to recognise triggers/allergens that may be provoking recurrence so you can avoid them.
Long-Term Effects of Glossitis
Most instances of glossitis will last no longer than 10 days and clear up without the need for medical treatment. In instances where glossitis lasts longer than 10 days or impacts your breathing or swallowing, you should visit a doctor immediately.
Power Up Your Oral Routine with Oral-B
Glossitis—characterised by a swollen, red, or a smooth tongue—can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. While it may be caused form a variety of reasons like infections, allergies, or deficiencies, one thing remains constant: maintaining excellent oral hygiene is crucial to managing symptoms and preventing further irritation.
The Oral-B iO Series electric toothbrushes offers effective yet gentle care, helping to keep your mouth clean.
Oral-B is committed to helping you take control of your oral health every day. That means brushing consistently, using effective tools, and most importantly, visiting your dentist or dental hygienist for regular check-ups. Together, these steps ensure that underlying issues are caught early, and your oral environment stays as healthy as possible.
FAQs
Can glossitis go away on its own?
How can I prevent glossitis?
Does glossitis affect taste?
Is glossitis contagious?
Sources
About Our Medical Reviewers
Dr Robert Lee is a dentist with more than thirty years of experience in the industry. Graduating from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and from the University of New South Wales with a Master of Business Administration, Robert’s career has taken him all over the world – from Australia to Germany to his current position in Chicago, where he is the founder of Denticus Inc., offering strategic dental consulting. Robert has previously worked for Procter & Gamble as the Director of Professional Scientific Relations in both the Cincinnati and Sydney offices, being responsible for external relations and scientific exchange with leading professional associations and industry thought leaders. He was also responsible for all technical and scientific training for the professional teams in North America and Australia. Robert has been assisting the team at Oral-B by fact-checking and reviewing our blogs on dental health.
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