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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Signs and symptoms of geographic tongue include:
- Map-like, or geographic, appearance of your tongue
- Smooth, bright red patches of various shapes and sizes on the top surface of your tongue
- Tongue discomfort
- Soreness or a burning sensation that may worsen with hot, spicy or acidic foods
When you have geographic tongue, the only sign you may have is a change in your tongue's appearance. The patches of geographic tongue may be outlined by a raised white or cream-colored line or border. The affected patches on your tongue can change size, color or location within minutes or hours, which may cause you anxiety or fear but is otherwise harmless. Geographic tongue may come and go over time.
When to see a doctor
Geographic tongue is a minor — although sometimes uncomfortable — condition. If your signs and symptoms persist for more than 10 days, see your doctor or dentist to make sure you don't have a more serious medical condition.
- Shulman JD, et al. Prevalence and risk factors associated with geographic tongue among U.S. adults. Oral Diseases. 2006;12:381-386.
- Assimakopoulos D, et al. Benign migratory glossitis or geographic tongue: An enigmatic oral lesion. American Journal of Medicine. 2002;113:751-755.
- Jainkittivong A, et al. Geographic tongue: Clinical characteristics of 188 cases. The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. 2005;6(1):123-135.
- Gonsalves W, et al. Common oral lesions: Part I. Superficial mucosal lesions. American Family Physician. 2007;75:501-507.
