Cracks in Tongue & Vitamin Deficiencies: What to Know

A cracked tongue is often a benign issue, but it can also be a sign of various deficiencies or underlying conditions.

Most people tend to focus entirely on their teeth and gums when trying to improve their oral health, but they often overlook the importance of their tongue. The state of your tongue will provide you with important clues about your health. One of the ways your tongue can signify an underlying issue is with fissures and cracks on its surface. In this blog, we will investigate what causes these cracks on the tongue, when they matter, and how to respond, especially when a vitamin deficiency is the root cause.

What is a Cracked Tongue?

The medical term often used is fissured tongue (also called lingua plicata). It’s when grooves or cracks appear on the surface of the tongue, which may vary in depth. Some people naturally have fissured tongues; for many, it is harmless and does not cause any symptoms. A cracked tongue starts to become a concern when it gets progressively deeper, inflamed, or starts to cause burning sensations and pain.

What Causes Tongue Cracks?

Tongue cracks tend to vary a lot in their causes. Some are totally benign, while others are potentially serious issues. Here are some of the most common cracked tongue causes:

• Genetic/Anatomical variation: Some individuals can have deeper grooves in their tongue by default without any concerning underlying issue. It’s quite common for a fissured tongue to be completely harmless and not linked to any disease.
• Chronic trauma/ Irritation: Biting your tongue, eating rough foods, and sharp teeth edges can cause a fissured tongue. Over time, microscopic injuries might make the fissures worse. Chronic conditions such as bruxism can also cause tongue fissures and indentations along the edges of your tongue.
• Dehydration/Dry mouth: A dry tongue can crack more easily; while this is not a main cause for tongue cracks, it is a contributing factor.
• Associated medical conditions: Some systemic diseases can be linked to a fissured or cracked tongue. Psoriasis, Rosenthal syndrome, and Down syndrome have all been linked to tongue fissures.
• Nutritional/Vitamin deficiencies: In certain cases, nutritional deficiencies can be a cause. A lack of vitamin B, iron, zinc, and folate can lead to a fissured tongue.

Which Vitamin Deficiencies are Commonly Implicated?

It’s been observed that vitamin deficiencies are common in cases where a cracked tongue produces noticeable symptoms such as pain, burning, or swelling. Despite this, it’s important to keep in mind that not every tongue crack indicates a deficiency. Here are some of the deficiencies most commonly associated with tongue cracks:

• Vitamin B12 (Riboflavin): A vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to cracks at the corners of your mouth, a sore tongue, and changes in the way your mouth produces mucous. It is also directly linked to fissured tongue and glossitis (inflammation of the tongue).
• Iron deficiency (Anemia): Iron deficiencies are sometimes linked to tongue changes, although the evidence to support this is not concrete.
• Folate (Vitamin B9): Low levels of folate can contribute to changes in your mucous, which in turn leads to changes in the tongue.
• Zinc: A zinc deficiency can cause burning sensations on your tongue and eventually lead to deeper grooves being formed across its surface.

It’s worth noting that tongue fissures alone cannot reliably signal a nutritional deficiency. The presence of tongue cracks is a possible clue, not a diagnosis.

When Should You Be Concerned?

You don’t need to worry about mild fissures that lack symptoms and remain unchanged; however, there are some cases where it would be best to see a health professional. You should see a doctor if you experience:

• Pain, burning, or tenderness on the tongue
• Swelling or redness on your tongue
• Difficulty eating or swallowing
• Bad breath that doesn’t go away
• Changes in tongue color (white, red, or purple patches)
• Cracks that seem too deep or spread

Consulting a dentist as soon as these adverse symptoms appear will help rule out more serious conditions, such as systemic infections. Additionally, they will be able to determine if a vitamin deficiency is the root cause or not via blood tests or physical examination.

Diagnosis: How Is a Cracked Tongue Evaluated?

Cracked tongue diagnosis is usually quite straightforward. A dentist or a physician can simply examine your tongue to find fissures. If you have disruptive symptoms, a dentist can perform in-depth testing to check for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, oral infections, and autoimmune disorders, like diabetes. If your dentist suspects a vitamin deficiency, a simple blood test can confirm it. Once they have identified the deficiency, they may recommend dietary changes or supplements to cure it.

How to Treat and Manage a Cracked Tongue

Treating a cracked tongue depends heavily on what the underlying cause is. Once you have identified the root cause, you can begin using some basic treatment methods to manage your fissured tongue and prevent further damage. These methods include:

• Maintaining good oral hygiene: Regularly brush your tongue with a soft-bristle toothbrush to remove food particles that can get stuck in the cracks. You should also rinse your mouth with a good anti-bacterial mouthwash after every brush to prevent infection.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout your day. Staying consistently hydrated helps keep your mouth moist and prevents the cracks from worsening.
• Correct nutritional deficiencies: If you have identified that your cracked tongue is linked to a vitamin deficiency, you should focus entirely on improving your diet or taking supplements (if prescribed). Vitamin B-complex and iron supplements can drastically improve tongue health over time.
• Avoid irritants: Foods that are too spicy, tobacco, alcohol, and acidic drinks can all worsen a cracked tongue. Eating particularly hard or crunchy foods can also cause cuts on the tongue.
• Natural remedies for oral health: Some natural remedies, such as honey, aloe vera, and chamomile, have been known to help treat a cracked or fissured tongue. These remedies aren't exactly backed up by science and should not be used as a replacement for proper medical care.

These simple treatment methods can make a cracked tongue far easier to manage. Regular consultations with your dentist are also advised to ensure you are getting the appropriate treatment for any possible underlying causes. Additionally, if you are experiencing issues that require tooth alignment treatment, clear, removable aligners are your best bet. They allow for easy cleaning and maintenance that will prevent a fissured tongue from worsening.

Foods You Should Eat to Avoid a Cracked Tongue

There are certain types of foods you can integrate into your diet to prevent the nutritional deficiencies that cause tongue fissures. These foods include:

Zinc-rich foods: Zinc is an essential mineral for maintaining your sense of taste and can help reduce dryness in your mouth, which in turn prevents cracks in your tongue. Foods such as beef, chicken, and fish are rich in zinc and good for overall health. Yoghurt, cheese, lentils, and peas are also good options for increasing your zinc intake.

B vitamin-rich foods: With vitamin B12 deficiency being one of the most common causes for a cracked tongue, foods rich in it are essential. Meat, fish, eggs, and milk are great choices for increasing your B12 intake.

Magnesium-rich foods: Gum inflammation can indirectly cause a cracked tongue. Magnesium can significantly reduce gum inflammation, so consuming foods such as spinach, broccoli, and green beans is a great way to increase the amount of magnesium in your diet.

Soft hydrating foods: Soothing, hydrating foods can eliminate a dry mouth and prevent tongue fissures. Eating yoghurt, cottage cheese, and other soft foods like mashed potatoes and soft-cooked vegetables can all be beneficial.

Including these foods in your daily intake will not only lead to a more balanced, healthy diet but will also drastically reduce the chances of tongue fissures forming.

Takeaway: Your Tongue Tells a Story

Your tongue isn’t just for taste; it’s a clear indicator of your overall health. Cracks and fissures are usually harmless, but it's important to pay attention to them in case they signal an underlying condition. Nutritional deficiencies that cause tongue cracks should be addressed promptly; neglecting deficiencies can lead to many major health concerns down the line. If you maintain a balanced diet, excellent oral hygiene, and stay properly hydrated, you can protect your tongue and live a more fulfilling life.

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