TONGUE DISORDERS

Presented by Anastasiya Smirnova

DEN 1114/Section 8216

Ankyloglossia Black Hairy Tongue Geographic tongue

ANKYLOGLOSSIADEFINITION Ankyloglossia also known as tongue-

tied, is rare congenital tongue anomaly, that decrease mobility of the tongue tip

and affect speech and feeding problems in infants.

CAUSES Ankyloglossia caused by an unusually

short thick attachment of lingual frenulum that extends to the tongue apex.

Lingual Frenulum is a membrane that connects the underside(base) of tongue to the floor of the

mouth.

PROGNOSIS Lingual frenulum usually stretches with time. Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) may

be needed before surgery is considered. In many cases surgery is the best option.

BLACK HAIRY TONGUEDEFINITION Black hairy tongue is the lengthening of

papillae on the dorsal tongue surface. Normal shedding of epithelium of filiform papillae does not occur which result in thick layer of dead

cells and keratin build up on tongue surface. The build up of cells that is left can become extrinsically stained by tobacco, medications, food, bacteria, fungal overgrowth or radiation and become yellow, brown or black.

PROGNOSIS Black hairy tongue is temporary, painless

condition which usually resolves without medical treatment.

Brushing of tongue twice a day is recommended to promote shedding of epithelium and remove debris.

GEOGRAPHIC TONGUEDEFINITION Geographic tongue is a lesion of dorsal surface

of tongue resulting in white patches of tongue. These lesions are missing tongue papillae that appear as smooth, red islands.

Geographic tongue doesn't cause health problems and isn't associated with infection or cancer.

PROGNOSIS The condition is usually asymptomatic and

insignificant. If pain and discomfort present patients may be given antihistamines. Tobacco and alcohol should be avoided until lesions healed.

Changing to toothpaste made for sensitive teeth has also shown to be helpful in decreasing symptoms. The lesions often heal in one area and then migrate to a different part of tongue.

ROLE OF DENTAL TEAM Rule out if any lesions you find are not associated with more serious tongue diseases. Educate patients about their tongue conditions. Refer patients with ankyloglossia to specialist. Encourage patients to maintain better oral

health by brushing teeth and tongue twice a day.

Work in team with patient after surgery (ankyloglossia) as more oral health required and must be obtained.

REFERENCES Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and

Anatomy, Third Edition. Mary Bath-Balogh and Margaret J. Fehrenbach. 2010

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/picture-of-geographic-tongue

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/