Geographic Tongue Natural Homeopathy Remedy

No one really knows what causes this oral condition. Several factors can contribute to it, such as emotional stress or other psychological factors, oral para-functional habits, allergies, a nutritional deficiency, diabetes and hormonal disturbances.

In addition, this problem is more common in people with psoriasis. Some consider geographic tongue an oral form of psoriasis.

Anyone can potentially develop geographic tongue, irrespective of age and sex. It is not contagious and also will never turn into cancer. The condition tends to persist for months or years. It often resolves on its own but may appear again later.

There is no cure for geographic tongue. To ease the mild nuisance or irritation, you can try some simple home remedies and lifestyle changes. Also, consult your doctor for proper diagnosis to rule out the possibility of a more serious condition.

Symptoms of Geographic Tongue
The telltale signs of geographic tongue are irregular, smooth, red patches on parts of the tongue. These patches may:

Have a white or light-colored border
Vary in size, shape, and color
Appear one area, and then move to another area
Come and go or change very quickly in days, weeks, or months
Last up to a year

You may be unaware that you have geographic tongue until your dentist or other health care provider diagnoses it during an oral exam.

About one in 10 people with geographic tongue may have mild discomfort or a burning or painful sensation. This is often from sensitivity to substances such as:

Hot, spicy, or acidic foods
Cigarette smoke
Toothpaste

Causes and Risk Factors
Geographic tongue occurs when parts of the tongue are missing layers of small bumps called papillae. They normally cover the entire upper layer of your tongue. Why do you lose these papillae with geographic tongue? Nobody knows for sure. However, because geographic tongue tends to run in families, genetics may be a common link.

Geographic tongue has also been seen more frequently in people with psoriasis and in those with fissured tongue. In fissured tongue, cracks and grooves appear on the tops and sides of the tongue.

Treatment or Self-Care for Geographic Tongue
Seeing a dentist or doctor is the best way to rule out a more serious problem. In most cases, he or she can diagnose geographic tongue from a description of your symptoms and from examining your mouth and tongue. You may need tests to rule out other medical conditions.

In most cases, any pain or discomfort will get better without treatment. But if you have severe, ongoing pain, medication can help. These are examples of what your doctor or dentist may prescribe:

Over-the-counter pain relievers
Anti-inflammatories
Mouth rinses with anesthetic
Corticosteroids applied directly on the tongue
Zinc supplements

If you're wondering about steps you can take to hasten the relief of symptoms, try limiting these substances or avoid them altogether:

Tobacco

Hot, spicy, or acidic foods or dried, salty nuts
Toothpaste with additives, whitening agents, or heavy flavoring (toothpaste for sensitive teeth is a better choice)

Here are the top ways to treat geographic tongue.

1. Dietary Choices

To reduce discomfort associated with geographic tongue, avoid or limit food irritants that may aggravate the sensitive tissues of your tongue. Food irritants usually worsen the condition, making it difficult to heal.

Avoid eating hot, spicy, acidic or salty foods.
Avoid tobacco products.
Avoid heavily flavored candy or other food products.
Avoid acidic fruits and vegetables.
Limit your consumption of highly sugary and processed foods.

2. Fluid Intake

By keeping your body hydrated, you can ease some discomforts of geographic tongue. To promote hydration, simply increase your fluid intake. Hydration also stimulates the production of saliva which in turn promotes oral health.

Drink an ample amount of water throughout the day. You can also suck on small pieces of ice.
Eat frozen chunks of water-based fruits and vegetables like watermelon and cucumber.
Drink smoothies, fruit juice or vegetable juice.
Drink 1 to 2 glasses of coconut water daily.
Drink chilled herbal teas like green or chamomile tea.
Avoid sugary drinks, and cut down on regular tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages.

3. Vegetable Glycerin

Another good home remedy for geographic tongue is vegetable glycerin. It is especially effective in keeping the tongue well moistened, which speeds up the healing process. It even helps get rid of bad breath.

Soak a cotton ball in vegetable glycerin and apply it on your tongue. Wait 5 minutes, then brush your tongue with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Rinse with warm water. Do this twice daily for several days.
You can even use a glycerin mouthwash 2 or 3 times a day.

4. Aloe Vera

The anti-inflammatory and healing properties of aloe vera make it an effective remedy for treating different types of oral problems, including geographic tongue. In addition, it helps get rid of bad breath.

Extract the gel from an aloe vera leaf and apply it on your tongue. Wait 10 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat a few times daily.
Use aloe vera juice to rinse your mouth 2 or 3 times a day.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

If your tongue shows signs of infection or oral thrush, apple cider vinegar is a good treatment option. It helps restore your mouth’s natural pH balance and fight off the infection.

Its sour and acidic taste may cause some burning sensation, but soon you will notice improvement in your condition.

Mix 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Use it as a mouthwash 2 or 3 times a day.
Stir 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and a little raw honey in a glass of water. Sip this solution slowly 1 or 2 times a day.
Follow both these remedies until symptoms subside.

6. Oil Pulling

This ancient Ayurvedic practice can help treat red patches on your tongue. Oil pulling aids in the removal of toxins from your mouth and body. It also helps maintain good oral health.