When I had a badly decayed tooth extracted, I got a partial denture to fill in the gap. I didn't mind it at first, because I was just so happy to have my painful tooth out of my mouth. Over time, I began to get tired of taking it out at night. I asked my dentist if I was could get a dental implant, and he said that my gum disease did not make me a good candidate, but a fixed bridge may be a good option for me. I went with his suggestion, and I have no regrets. I love feeling like I have a real tooth again that I don't have to remove at night. I created this blog to remind other people with a missing tooth that they have many replacement options, and if one is not for you, then try another that may be right.
It's common knowledge that there are a lot of complications associated with diabetes. You probably already know that you're at risk of eye and foot complications, but you may not know that lots of problems can also happen inside your mouth. Fissured tongue is one of those problems, and here's what you need to know about this condition.
What is fissured tongue?
Fissured tongue is a condition that changes the appearance of your tongue. Normally, your tongue is supposed to be fairly smooth, but when you have fissured tongue, the surface of your tongue develops deep cracks.
Is it painful?
Fissured tongue isn't usually painful. The condition can be uncomfortable, especially when you eat very spicy or acidic foods. If this is the case for you, your dentist may recommend sticking to mild foods that won't irritate your damaged tongue, such as mashed potatoes or pudding. Food can also get stuck in the fissures, and if this is a problem for you, your dentist may tell you to stick to a liquid diet.
How does diabetes cause it?
Diabetes causes other changes in your mouth which encourage the development of fissured tongue. Diabetes reduces the flow of your saliva, leading to dry mouth. This allows your tongue to dry out and crack, but if your mouth had enough saliva to keep it moist, this wouldn't happen.
Diabetes also narrows your blood vessels which causes poor blood circulation. Good blood circulation is important for healing; if your tissues don't get enough blood flow, they won't heal as quickly as they otherwise would. This makes it harder for your tongue to heal itself once it's become fissured.
Is it a common problem for diabetics?
Fissured tongue is one of the most common oral health complications of diabetes. Studies have shown that about 26.9% of diabetics suffer from this condition.
Can it be treated?
Since fissured tongue isn't dangerous, your dentist probably won't do anything to treat it. If you're suffering from discomfort, you may need to adjust your diet until your tongue heals. If your tongue is deeply cracked, your dentist may clean out the fissures and give you a prescription for antibiotics to prevent an infection. You may also need painkillers if your tongue is sore.
Fissured tongue is a common problem for diabetics, and while it's not dangerous, it can be uncomfortable. If your tongue is cracked and painful, you should make an appointment with a local dentist, such as Glendale Dental Group.
Share11 June 2015
