From the Research
Definition and Characteristics of Fissured Tongue
- Fissured tongue, also known as geographic tongue, is a condition characterized by grooves and fissures of varying depth on the dorsal surface of the tongue 1, 2.
- It is an asymptomatic condition in most cases, but some patients may experience symptoms such as tongue dryness, soreness, halitosis, and tongue swelling 1.
- The condition is marked by the presence of multiple prominent grooves or fissures on the dorsal surface of the tongue, and it can be classified into different subtypes based on the depth and pattern of the fissures 1, 3.
Prevalence of Fissured Tongue
- The prevalence of fissured tongue varies among different populations, with reported rates ranging from 10-20% 1, 27.2% 4, and 30.5% 3.
- The condition is more common in adults, and its prevalence increases with age 2, 3.
- There is a significant difference in the prevalence of fissured tongue between genders, with female predominance reported in some studies 1, while others found a higher prevalence in males 4.
Association with Other Conditions
- Fissured tongue is often associated with geographic tongue, and some studies suggest that it may be a consequence of geographic tongue 2.
- The condition has also been linked to other factors, such as diabetes mellitus and smokeless tobacco use 4.
- Fissured tongue is one of the most common tongue conditions, along with geographic tongue and black hairy tongue, and it does not require treatment 5.