Fissured (cracked) tongue: what it is, causes and treatment

Fissured tongue, also called cracked tongue, is a benign condition in which there are fissures in the tongue, which can make hygiene difficult and lead to the accumulation of food debris, causing symptoms such as bad breath and burning tongue.

Although it does not have a specific cause, fissured tongue is usually present from birth and is more common in people with Down syndrome, psoriasis or Sjögren’s syndrome, for example.

If you suspect a fissured tongue, especially when it is difficult to clean or there is bad breath, it is recommended to consult a dentist. Treating a fissured tongue generally involves proper mouth hygiene, and specific brushes and tongue scrapers may be recommended to help clean it.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of fissured tongue are:

• Cracks in the tongue;
• Accumulation of food remains in cracks;
• Pain or burning in the tongue;
• Bad breath;
• Change in the color of the tongue.

However, symptoms are more common when the fissures are deeper, making it difficult to clean the tongue properly. In this case, the accumulation of food remains in cracks can encourage the multiplication of microorganisms and cause inflammation.

Therefore, some people may experience pain or burning on the tongue, especially when putting spicy, salty or acidic foods in their mouth.

Possible causes

Fissured tongue does not have a specific cause, it is normally a change present since birth and which can be more easily noticed as the person ages.

Furthermore, fissured tongue is more common in people with Down syndrome, psoriasis, Sjögren’s syndrome, Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome and acromegaly, for example.

Sometimes, people who have geographic tongue, which is when the taste buds become more evident, forming a kind of ‘map’ on the tongue, can also have a fissured tongue. Understand better what geographic language is.

How the treatment is carried out

Treating a fissured tongue generally involves performing proper mouth hygiene, cleaning the surface of the tongue, to remove food debris from the fissures and prevent the multiplication of microorganisms, inflammation and bad breath.

Furthermore, especially when a fissured tongue causes bad breath or is difficult to clean, it is important to consult a dentist, who can recommend specific brushes or tongue scrapers to help the person clean their mouth. See how to use the tongue scraper.

Sometimes, the dentist may also recommend the use of mouthwash to help eliminate microorganisms that may be in excess in the mouth.

How to brush your teeth correctly

To brush your teeth correctly, it is recommended to always brush your teeth after meals and use a suitable tongue scraper to clean your tongue. Furthermore, it is important to use the scraper daily, after brushing your teeth, at least twice a day. Understand better how to brush your teeth correctly.

Brushing your teeth correctly reduces the risk of fungus or bacteria accumulating in the cracks, which can cause candidiasis or gingivitis, for example.