It is a well-known fact that the tongue has the strongest muscle in the human body. There are many important functions that are carried out by the tongue, in relation to the digestive process of the body. Your tongue is one of the first organs to come into contact with all that you eat and drink. Unfortunately, due to this, as well as the functions it carries out, the tongue is vulnerable to certain health problems, which could range from minor afflictions to serious conditions, some of which include tongue fasciculations, burning tongue, swollen taste buds, fissures and a split tongue.
A split tongue is one of the most common tongue problems that have been experienced by several men and women around the world. Studies indicate that approximately 10% of the people in the United States suffer from the problem of a splitting tongue at some time or the other. Although men and women both can experience splits in the tongue, this problem is a lot more common in men than it is in women. At time, split tongue in infants may also be evident. While some people experience a split tongue as a one-off case, which lasts for a short while, there are others, for whom this is a chronic problem, that is, it lasts for several years. Grooves and splits on tongue are usually some of the most mysterious problems faced by most people, as they are noticed rather suddenly. Most people are not even sure of what the exact causes of split tongue could be in their case.
Causes
There are several factors that could lead to split tongue pain in a person. A dry mouth, also referred to as xerostomia, is one of the common causes of a split or cut tongue. Of course, an injury on the tongue or biting the tongue in error can also lead to split tongue problems. Irritants such as broken teeth, dentures that are not proper, hot food, spicy food, excessive alcohol and acidic food can also lead to, or aggravate a split tongue. Using toothpaste that is too strong too, could have an adverse reaction on the tongue, like a split tongue.
Some of the other natural split tongue causes could include deficiency of vitamins, anemia, smoking, or even consuming things that are not fresh. In many people a split tongue could occur due to heredity factors, where one or more family members have been suffering from the same problem. People who have the problem of split tongue in the family become more vulnerable to it, as they age.
Another factor that could lead to a split tongue is piercing on the tongue. At times, a tongue piercing could get pulled because or certain foods or while brushing and flossing the teeth. If the piercing gets pulled repeatedly, it could lead to a split tongue too.
In some cases, people could also suffer from a split tongue in case they are under a tremendous amount of stress and pressure.
In order to adopt the right cut tongue treatment, it is important for people to know what the exact cause is and therefore, it is best to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Most doctors keep the patient's age in mind too, when analyzing the causes of a split tongue.
Splits on a tongue can appear in different forms. At times, you may see one long, single gash on your tongue, which is about one-eighth of an inch deep. It is also possible for several cuts to appear on the tongue, which are much smaller in length and shallower too. However, both are an equal cause for concern as they could lead to a lot of pain and discomfort. Split tongue talking is a challenge for many people, as the slightest movement could lead to a lot of pain. There are others who find it difficult to eat properly, because of the cuts and lesions in their tongue. Fortunately, there are many remedies that can help heal a cut tongue at a faster rate.
Treatment
Medical health care providers could advise people to go in for various split tongue healing procedures, based on the factors that cause it. Once the causes have been identified, some of the natural remedies suggested for a split tongue could include:
- Making dietary changes, to consume a higher amount of foods that are high in iron and Vitamin B complex. This means that foods such as green leafy veggies, pulses, beans and legumes and whole grains should be increased. Many people are also advised to take a multivitamin tablets on a regular basis, to make up for the lack of vitamins in their daily diets.
- Foods that are acidic, hot or spicy should be strictly avoided, as they could increase the pain and discomfort and could interfere with the healing process.
- Ice is an excellent remedy, which is used to alleviate the discomforts caused by most ailments, including a burning or a split tongue. For temporary relief, patients are advised to suck on ice chips or cubes several times a day.
- Glycerin can help alleviate the pain caused by blisters or lacerations in the mouth. Hence, dabbing a small amount of glycerin on the cut can reduce the pain significantly.
- In case the cut on the tongue is too painful and severe, it may be best to avoid using normal toothpaste for a while. Patients are advised to use baking soda, for dental hygiene instead.
- Chewing on some sugar free gum increases the flow of saliva in the mouth, which helps in healing a split tongue faster
- Increasing the consumption of water helps get rid of the toxins in the body and keeps all the organs well hydrated, including the tongue. This reduces the chances of suffering from a split tongue due to a dry mouth.
There are a lot of tips on split tongue modification through various online resources. However, it is important to consult a doctor and get an approval, before trying any of the tips. In case of a split tongue gone wrong, it is absolutely essential to consult a doctor at the earliest.
answered by A S