Have you noticed wavy or rippled edges on the side of your tongue? Those waves or ripples can be signs of a scalloped tongue, a condition that is brought upon by various bad oral habits or medical conditions. The waves and ripples of a scalloped tongue are inflammation and irritation. While this condition typically won’t cause any serious medical issues, it can be painful. Here are a few reasons why you may be experiencing scalloped tongue and solutions for you.
What Causes Scalloped Tongue?
Dehydration – When your body is dehydrated it lacks sufficient water to continue to perform bodily functions at a normal pace. When you don’t drink enough fluid or lose more fluid than you are intaking, your body may become dehydrated. When this happens, parts of your body may become swollen, including your tongue. If your swollen tongue pushes against your teeth it may cause the ripples and waves associated with a scalloped tongue.
Solution: Keep hydrated by monitoring your intake level of fluid and water. Try and drink 11 to 15 cups of water or fluids a day to keep your body functioning at a high level and avoid dehydration.
Hypothyroidism – This is a thyroid disorder that is brought on by low levels of thyroid hormones. When these levels reach a low point you may experience different side effects including loss of energy, low blood pressure, body aches, and cramps, hair loss, bruising, and a swollen tongue which can lead to scalloped edges.
Solution: Make an appointment with your doctor to see if you have hypothyroidism and to come up with a medical solution.
Anxiety – Did you know that a scalloped tongue can come from anxiety? When your body deals with high levels of stress and anxiety, it can react to that stress orally. Most of this behavior in your mouth is subconscious meaning you’re not aware that you’re doing these anxiety-based reactions. Some reactions to anxiety include jaw clenching, thrusting your tongue against your teeth, grinding your teeth, or pressing your tongue against your teeth for long periods of time. When these actions are repeated over time, they may begin to inflame and irritate your tongue to the point that it becomes scalloped.
Solution: Anxiety will come and go throughout your life, but your body tends to subconsciously deal with it the most while you sleep. During this period your body will grind your teeth, press your tongue against your teeth, or clench your jaw. Wearing a night guard will help protect your teeth and your tongue while you sleep. By protecting your tongue with a night guard you are helping prevent a scalloped tongue.
Insufficient Vitamin Intake – Your body relies on many different types of vitamins to maintain all the high-functioning tasks that your body does daily. When those vitamin requirements are not being met, your body may react negatively. In particular, riboflavin, Vitamin B, Niacin, and iron are crucial to your body, and when those vitamin levels are low it can cause your tongue to swell or give the appearance of ripples or waves on the side of your tongue.
Solution: Keep track of your intake of vitamins and if you are lacking the foods that have those specific vitamins, look to take a daily vitamin that gives your body the necessary levels.
Amyloidosis – This disease is a buildup of proteins in specific organs and soft tissues. One potential place for amyloidosis to occur is in the tongue. When your tongue experiences it, it may swell up or become irritated. Your swollen tongue may be difficult to move around and may press against your teeth causing your tongue to become scalloped in the process.
Solution: Visit your doctor if you believe you have amyloidosis for a proper diagnosis. Your doctor will be able to come up with a medical solution suited for you.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) – This is a disorder at the joint that connects the skull to the jaw. When you clench your jaw due to stress or anxiety, your jaw may become misaligned, stuck, or can even change the face of your shape over long periods of time by wearing down the bones and joints. When you deal with TMJ, your tongue will work overtime to make up for the misalignment. Your tongue may need to press extra hard against teeth and over time that can cause a scalloped tongue.
Solution: Similar to the anxiety and stress section, TMJ often occurs at night while you are sleeping. Wearing a custom-made night guard can help prevent the stress that is put onto your jaw joints and relieve your TMJ symptoms. Finding the right night guard for you is key in helping reduce any symptoms of TMJ. There are many different types of night guards to choose from with SportingSmiles.
Smoking – Smoking causes harm to the body in numerous ways. When you smoke, you increase the inflammation in the body. As noted above, when your tongue becomes inflamed, it is difficult to move against your teeth and may become pressed. The result of a pressed tongue may cause a scalloped tongue. Smoking also increases the risk of dehydration, which is another cause listed above.
Solution: Quit smoking! Find the best support system that works well for you to quit this habit and your overall health will improve.
Sleep Apnea – This is a potentially serious sleep disorder that causes your breathing to repeatedly stop and start. There are a few different types of sleep apnea that makes you snore, or relax the muscles of your throat. Whatever the case, sleep apnea makes it difficult to breathe. When you have difficulty breathing, your tongue may subconsciously push down into your teeth to make it easier for you the breathe. The constant pressure of pushing down may cause your tongue to scallop.
Solution: Speak to your doctor about solutions for sleep apnea if you believe you have this disorder. Often, sleep apnea can be treated with a CPAP device that helps you breathe at night.
Bruxism – This is another term for teeth grinding and is a condition that affects people throughout their adulthood. This is the direct result of stress and anxiety at night. Some people will grind their teeth during the day, during which less visible teeth grinding guard is recommended while others are heavy grinders at night. If you are experiencing sore teeth, sensitivity to hot/cold foods, or if your partner hears “clicking” or “popping” noises coming from your mouth while you sleep, these are all signs of Bruxism. With so much movement in your mouth, your tongue may start to swell up or become damaged from the teeth grinding. When this happens you may develop a scalloped tongue.
Solution: The good news is that Bruxism is very treatable and the solution is affordable. Wearing a night guard while you sleep is your best bet to prevent teeth grinding and the damage associated with it. You can speak to your dentist about a night guard or order one online that is half the cost and from the comfort of your home.
