From the Guidelines
Treatment for glossitis should prioritize addressing the underlying cause while managing symptoms, with a focus on maintaining good oral hygiene, dietary modifications, and supplementation as necessary, as well as considering topical treatments like Arimedadi oil for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, as shown in a recent study 1.
Key Considerations
- Maintaining good oral hygiene with regular brushing, flossing, and using alcohol-free mouthwash is essential for managing glossitis.
- Dietary modifications, such as avoiding spicy, acidic, or irritating foods and staying well-hydrated, can help alleviate symptoms.
- Supplementation with vitamin B complex, iron, or zinc may be necessary if the glossitis is caused by nutritional deficiencies.
- Topical treatments, including Arimedadi oil, have shown promise in reducing inflammation and managing symptoms, with a recent study demonstrating its comparable effects to chlorhexidine in reducing plaque levels and gingival inflammation 1.
Treatment Options
- For infectious glossitis, antifungal medications like nystatin oral suspension or fluconazole may be used for fungal infections, while antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial causes.
- Topical corticosteroids, such as triamcinolone dental paste, can reduce inflammation in non-infectious cases.
- Symptomatic relief can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen and topical anesthetics such as benzocaine oral gel.
Severe or Persistent Cases
- Severe or persistent glossitis requires professional evaluation to identify and treat underlying conditions like autoimmune disorders, allergies, or systemic diseases that may be contributing to tongue inflammation.
- A comprehensive treatment plan should be developed in consultation with a healthcare professional to address the underlying cause and manage symptoms effectively.
From the Research
Treatment for Glossitis
- The treatment for glossitis depends on the underlying cause, with some cases resolving on their own and others requiring medical attention 2, 3.
- Atrophic glossitis, a type of glossitis, is often linked to nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B12 deficiency, and resolves with treatment of the underlying condition 2, 3, 4.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency has been shown to play an etiological role in atrophic glossitis, and supplement therapy can lead to improvement in symptoms 4, 5.
- Median rhomboid glossitis, another type of glossitis, is usually associated with a candidal infection and responds to topical antifungals 2, 3.
- In some cases, glossitis may be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as anemia, and treatment of the underlying condition can lead to resolution of the glossitis 6.
Nutritional Deficiencies and Glossitis
- Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common cause of atrophic glossitis, and supplement therapy can lead to improvement in symptoms 4, 5.
- Iron, folic acid, and riboflavin deficiencies have also been linked to atrophic glossitis, and correction of these deficiencies can lead to resolution of the condition 3.
- The frequencies of serum vitamin B12 deficiency and anemia in patients with complete atrophic glossitis are significantly higher than those in patients with partial atrophic glossitis 4.
Other Treatments for Glossitis
- Topical antifungals can be used to treat median rhomboid glossitis associated with a candidal infection 2, 3.
- Oral antivirals can be used to treat oral hairy leukoplakia, a condition that can cause glossitis 2, 3.
- Gabapentin, topical clonazepam, capsaicin, and cognitive behavior therapy have been shown to be effective in treating burning mouth syndrome, a condition that can cause glossitis 2.