4/18/2018 Scalloped Tongue Causes, Edges, Symptoms, Chinese medicine, How to Get Rid of it and Pictures - Healtreatcure

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Do you have a scallop on your tongue? What does it tells you about your thyroid. Explore more on
the causes, symptoms and treatment of scalloped tongue. You will also learn more on the
relationship between this tongue condition and underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.

Scalloped Tongue Causes

Scalloped tongue is also called crenated

tongue, crenulated tongue or pie crust
tongue. These are terms that are simply used
to describe a tongue that is having indentations
or waves on the sides. The indentations
normally occurs as a pressure from the teeth
that compresses the tongue.

A swollen tongue may also develops scallops

or wavy borders due to the pressures that is
scalloped tongue picture
exerted against the teeth. Scalloped and Sore
tongue can result from various causes and can
be accompanied with inflammations, pain or a burning sensation.

Crenated tongue is usually accompanied with various symptoms. It usually becomes swollen, inflamed or
enlarged with wavy or grooved boarders that resembles teeth marks. Although the color rarely change but
it may develop some redness at the edges where pressure is exerted.

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A crenated tongue is not harmful by itself. It is symptomatic to underlying conditions or causes. It is the
dermdoc19, Dermatologist
underlying condition that may result to various symptoms like swollen tongue, enlarged lymph nodes,
30 years practice in general and cosmetic
sore throat and inflammations among others. Some of the causes of pie crust tongue includes the dermatology
following:

Pearl Wilson, Dermatologist's Assistant

1. Enlarged or swollen tongue
Welcome! How can I help with your dermatology
question?
When the tongue is swollen, it tends to apply pressure against your teeth or dental arches. A swollen
tongue usually becomes too big for your mouth. It will therefore develop some scalloped, grooved, or
wavy edges that look like teeth marks.

There are various causes or underlying conditions that can result to a swollen tongue. Some of them
includes, dehydration, allergic reactions, tongue or mouth cancer, canker sores, tongue piercing, scarlet
fever, neoplastic growth, thyroid disorders, amyloidosis and injuries among others.
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2. Vitamin and mineral deficiency

Inadequate intake or poor absorption of vitamin B12 and folate into your body can lead to a blood disorder
known as megaloblastic anemia. This disorder can lead to excessive or abnormal production of red blood
cells and may result to various symptoms including scalloped tongue.

When trying to get rid of this condition, it is recommended to take vitamin-12 supplements. Alternatively,
you can include the following food in your diet; dairy products, poultry, fish and other foods that are rich in
vitamin B-12.

3. Thyroid or hypothyroid

Various tongue problems like scalloping, coated, dryness, discoloration or pain can be symptomatic to
underlying conditions like inadequate thyroid or hypothyroidism. Thyroid is a small gland that produces
thyroid hormone. This hormones plays a very big role in body metabolism to produce energy.

It also affects how vitamins and minerals are absorbed and utilized in your body. Its deficiency in your
body can cause your tongue to become too big for your mouth. It will therefore exert pressure against the
teeth resulting to scalloped edges.

Apart from crenated tongue, thyroid condition can lead to other symptoms that includes fatigue,
headaches, dry skin, hair loss, weight gain, body aches, cold hands and feet, constipation, brain fog,
memory loss, allergies and other conditions like cancer and diabetes.

4. Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is also another condition that causes scalloped tongue. This condition is characterized with
some disturbances in the pattern of breathing. When suffering from this condition, you may have 1 or
more breathing pauses or swallow breath while sleeping.

Disruptions in sleeping patterns may cause the tongue to fall back into the oral cavities. When the tongue
is in this state, the teeth can easily exert pressure on it to cause scallops or grooves at the edges. Sleep
apnea causes pie crust tongue although in rare cases.

5. Temporomandibular joint disorder

Temporomandibular disorder is a problem that affects the jaws and the muscles of the face that supports
and controls it. The exact cause of this disorder is unknown but dentist believes that it results from injuries
to jaw, joints and muscles of the neck and head

This disorder is also linked to other causes like grinding teeth that may exert a lot of pressure to the joints,
arthritis in the jaw joints, movement of the disc between the ball and sockets of the joint and stress can
also affects the facial muscles leading to this condition.

This condition causes instability of the jaws. Therefore, people who are suffering from this disorder will try
to clench their teeth using the tongue to keep the jaw into position. This can result to scallops or grooves
at the edges of your tongue.

6. Dental issues

Narrow teeth arch can also lead to having sides of tongue wavy. Narrow teeth arch or ill-fitting dentures
may compress the sides of the tongue to create teeth-like marks or a scalloped tongue. It is therefore
important to go for well-fitting dentures to avoid wavy tongue sides.

7. Spleen QI deficiency

Spleen qi deficiency is also characterized with scalloped or swollen tongue, fissures, fatigue, pale tongue,
low appetite and weight loss. This happens when the spleen fails to perform its functions that affects your
digestion system.

8. Bad habits and anxiety

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Some people have developed bad habits that can result to crenated tongue. Grinding, clenching and
pressing the tongue against the teeth arch for a long time can lead to waves or grooves on the boarders of
the tongue. You can also press the teeth against the tongue when having anxiety.

Scalloped Tongue Thyroid

Tongue is a very important muscle that helps in

chewing, swallowing and speech. However it may
develop some problems that are symptomatic to
underlying conditions like underactive thyroid or
hypothyroidism. A healthy tongue is supposed to
be pink in color and moist.

However, some conditions like hypothyroidism

causes the tongue to become scalloped, swollen,
dry, coated or painful. These symptoms are trying
to send a signal that is showing there is something
wrong with your health.

Thyroid is a small gland found in the lower part of scalloped tongue on edges
your neck that produces thyroid hormone. This
hormone plays a very important role in metabolism to release energy. It also helps in cell differentiation,
cell metabolism and regulates how other nutrients are used in your body.

Underactive thyroid is caused by pregnancy, problem of thyroid at birth, pituitary glands disorder of
disorder of the hypothalamus. A part from having crenated tongue, hypothyroidism can lead to other
symptoms that includes depression, fatigue, dry skin, unexplained weight gain, constipation, and changes
in your menstrual cycle and memory loss among others.

If hypothyroidism is left untreated, it can lead to other various diseases like cancer, heart diseases,
diabetes, arthritis, low or high blood pressure and many more. Treatment involves taking hormone
replacement tablets daily, taking food rich in vitamin B, biofeedback, homeopathic medicine and radiation
therapy.

Scalloped Tongue Edges

Crenated tongue usually appears at the edges. The indentations appears along the lateral borders of the
tongue due to the compression by the teeth arch. The surface of the tongue may retain its normal pink
color but in some cases, the edges may appear red due to friction or pressure that is exerted.

As you read earlier, this is a symptomatic condition that is harmless to your health. It is good to
understand that this is not a disease. It only appears when the tongue is pressed against the teeth. That is
why the scallops only appears at the edges of the tongue.

This problem is common among individual who have macroglossia. This is simply having an enlarged
tongue that is unable to fit in your mouth well. It is a symptom that is characterized with individuals who
are suffering from Down’s syndrome.

Scalloped or crenated tongue tends to be swollen, inflamed or enlarged with a wavy sides. These wavy
edge resembles teeth marks. Since it is caused by different underlying condition, the patient may
experience other symptoms depending with the cause.

Before treating crenated tongue edges, it is important to visit your doctor for diagnosis to determine the
underlying condition. The doctor will check your mouth to find out if there is any other symptoms. He or
she may also perform blood test before recommending for a treatment.

Scalloped Tongue Sleep Apnea

Having a tongue that is scalloped is the first sign of sleep apnea disorder. This is a more serious condition
than snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway is blocked by the tongue, tonsils or an

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enlarged uvula.

Sleep apnea is characterized with pauses in breath or lapses in breathing during sleeping. This happen
when scalloped or crenated tongue falls back to obstruct the air way. When having this condition, you may
experience 5 to 15 apneic episodes per hour. Severe condition can cause 30-100 episodes per hour.

Patients who are suffering from this sleep condition may experience various symptoms like loud snoring,
gasping in the sleep, and lack of concentration, depression, decreased libido, tooth grinding or clenching,
unexplained weight gain, frequent urination and chronic fatigue.

The dental signs includes acid reflux, enlarged tongue or tonsils, scalloped or pie crust tongue and tooth
wear from bruxism. Obstructive sleep apnea can also lead to other body conditions that includes heart
diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, impotence and acid reflux.

The other symptoms includes excessive daytime sleeping that may be dangerous, having headache in the
morning, insomnia, dry mouth and throat in the morning after waking up, shortness of breath, abrupt
awakening and having difficulties to control high blood pressure.

There are various factors that increases the risk of developing sleep apnea. They include the following:

Excessive weight or obesity

Male are more prone to sleep apnea as compared to women
Having large or scalloped tongue
Huge neck muscles or fats of greater than 17 inches in male or 16 inches in females
Having a history of asthma or allergic reaction in the childhood
Enlarged tonsils that have not been removed
Difficulties in breathing
Family history of sleep apnea
Oral piercings
Having diabetes
Smoking nicotine
Excessive alcohol consumption and using tranquilizers

It is important to seek for treatment when you experience the above symptoms. There are different
treatment that you may use. They include the use of continuous positive airway pressure, surgery,
shedding some weight and use of oral appliances.

It is also recommended to make some life changes that includes avoiding smoking nicotine, quite alcohol
consumption and use of tranquilizers, sleeping by the side or stomach and avoiding fatty and junk foods.
You should also keep the nasal passages open by using saline nasal sprays.

Hypothyroidism, Symptoms

The symptoms of hypothyroidism varies

depending with the severity of the hormone
deficiency in your body. This condition develops
slowly for a number of years. During the initial
stages of hypothyroidism, you may experience
some weight gain and fatigue. Other symptoms
will develop as your condition advances.

They include fatigue, unexplained weight gain,

scalloped tongue, hoarseness, muscle weakness.
Skin dryness, constipation, increased sensitivity to
cold, the hair loses its quality, feeling depression
and anxiety, irregular and heavy menstrual cycles,
memory loss, puffy face and eye lids, stiffness and scalloped tongue symptoms
painful joints, increased blood cholesterol level
and slowed heart beat rate.

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When hypothyroidism is left untreated, the symptoms may advance and become severe. You may
become forgetful, develop a low memory and suffer from depression. Stimulating the thyroid gland to
release more hormone can also lead to goiter. This is an enlargement of the thyroid glands.

Hypothyroidism commonly affects older or middle aged people. However, this condition can also affect
new born babies. Babies can be born with an impaired thyroid gland. Such babies may develop different
symptoms like enlarged and protruding tongue, puffy face, yellowing of the skin and frequent chocking.

When not treated, this disorder will continue to develop. The baby may experience difficulties in feeding,
this can affect the growth of your baby and can develop constipation, sleeping excessively and poor
muscle tone.

When children or teens develops hypothyroidism disorder, they may experience the same symptoms as
adults. In addition, they may experience delayed puberty, stunted growth, delayed growth of permanent
teeth and poor mental development.

It is important to visit your doctor for treatment when you start experiencing the above symptoms. This
condition can easily be treated when noticed earlier. It is also recommended to visit your doctor for regular
testing of thyroid functions.

Scalloped Tongue Chinese Medicine

According to Chinese medicine, tongue scalloped results from deficiency of qi and yang in your body. Qi
and yang provides an important role in the body. They help to keep some organs like tongue smooth and
holds them in a good shape.

Deficiency of qi and yang in your diet causes the tongue to have an improper shape, does not hold firmly
and it becomes weak. The bulging shape of the tongue exerts pressure of the teeth arch, this results to
teeth like marks to appear on the edges of the tongue.

Qi deficiency means lack of total energy. Therefore, if you don’t want to visit Chinese herbalist, there is a
number of things you can do to restore the normal shape of your tongue. In first place, take time to relax.
Have enough sleep, do one thing as a time and try to avoid stress.

Secondly, it is important to avoid foods that can lead to greater water retention. Reduce intake of sweet
foods like refined carbohydrates, dairy products, salt, excessive fats and oil, eggs and cold drinks.
Consider eating celery, whole grain, seaweed, tea, vinegar, lean meat and bitter herbs like chamomile and
Pau darco.

There will be some improvement after trying the above suggestion. The teeth marks will disappear and
your tongue will restore its smoothness at the edges. The amount of energy in your body will also
increase.

How to Get Rid of Scalloped Tongue

A scalloped or crenated tongue is a harmless

condition and therefore it does not require direct
treatment. It is recommended to get diagnosed
to find out the underlying cause. Therefore
treatment will be determined by the cause.
However, there are various treatments and
home remedies you can use depending with the
underlying cause of the crenate tongue. They
include:

Treat the swollen tongue

A tongue can become swollen for a number of

reason. The common causes of swelling are how to get rid of a scalloped tongue
allergies, tongue piercing or injuries and some

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medical conditions. Once you have identified what causes your tongue swelling, it will become easier to
relieve the swelling.

Taking over the counter antihistamines helps to alleviate tongue swelling that results from allergic
reactions. Identify and avoid food, drugs or tongue piercing jewelries that triggers allergic reactions.

If swelling is accompanied with some pain, place some ice chips on the surface of the tongue and allow it
to melt. It helps to relieve pain and swelling. Don’t allow the ice chips or cubes to overstay on your tongue
as it may cause burning.

Take vitamin B-12 supplements

As you read earlier, Vitamin B-12 deficiency in your body can lead to scallops at the edges of the tongue.
Digestive system problems increases the risk of developing deficiency of this type of vitamin due to poor
absorption.

Therefore, if you are diagnosed with deficiency of vitamin B-12, your doctor may give you a
hydroxocobalamin injection regularly for a number of weeks. Alternatively, you can increase intake of food
like daily products, poultry, eggs and fortified breakfast cereals among others that are rich in this type of
vitamins.

Treat hypothyroidism

If the underlying condition is found to be thyroid hormone deficiency or hypothyroidism, there are various
treatments that can be done to restore the normal production of thyroid hormone in order to get rid of
scalloped tongue.

You can consider to go for hormone replacement therapy or administration of thyroid hormone
supplements followed by some dietary changes to include foods that are rich in vitamin B. Other
treatments includes traditional Chinese medicine, osteopathy, biofeedback therapy and acupuncture.

Avoid clenching or grinding teeth

In some cases, crenated tongue results from the pressure created on the border of the tongue from the
teeth. It is therefore important to keep space between the teeth and tongue when you are not chewing or
swallowing food.

If you are having misaligned teeth and are causing pressure at the border or edges of the tongue, you can
visit your dentist for proper alignment of the teeth. This will help to reduce the pressure that is created
between the teeth and your tongue.

Treat sleep apnea disorder

Sleep apnea being one of the causes of crenated tongue, it is therefore important to find treatment when
your tongue problems results from this condition. You can simply make some changes to your lifestyle that
contributes to sleep apnea.

Some of the life changes to make includes having enough sleep every night, quit smoking and excessive
consumption of alcohol, refrain from taking sleeping pills or tranquilizers, sleep by your side or stomach or
avoid sleeping while facing upward and also shed some weight to prevent constrictions in the throat.

Manage your stress

Some studies have linked stress to pie crust tongue. Poor stress management can lead to various health
problems. Stress can lead to bad habits like clenching teeth, grinding teeth or compressing the tongue
against the teeth.

Stress can also lead poor food habits. Some people prefer junk foods, sugary and fatty. This can lead to
nutritional deficiencies that can result to various tongue problems. It is therefore important to manage
stress by sharing your problem with your best friend, try to be humorous, have enough sleep, and avoid
being perfectionist among other tips.

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Scalloped Tongue Pictures

In this article, we have included some pictures that will help you to understand how scalloped or crenated
tongue look like. You can also compare the images with your condition.

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The pictures provided are showing crenated tongue as a result of various causes like tongue swelling,
hypothyroidism, sleep apnea and much more.

More sources:

1. Scalloped tongue causes and treatment: http://www.wowremedies.com/scalloped-tongue-causes-

treatment/
2. Scalloped-tongue: http://medmum.com/scalloped-tongue/
3. Teeth marks on tongue: http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/Teeth-Marks-on-Tongue.html
4. What your tongue tells you about your thyroid: http://hypothyroidmom.com/what-your-tongue-tells-
you-about-your-thyroid/
5. Hypothyroidism: http://www.pihealth.com/hypothyroidism.htm
6. Hypothyroidism [underactive thyroid] : http://www.webmd.com/women/hypothyroidism-underactive-
thyroid-symptoms-causes-treatments?page=2

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