Tag: Geographic tongue

According to a systematic review published in 2023, zinc supplementation is an effective treatment for taste disorders in patients with zinc deficiency. This research, and numerous other studies, confirm that a deficiency in zinc can indeed affect your tongue, causing a range of issues from altered taste perception to physical inflammation.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, geographic tongue, a condition that causes smooth, red patches to appear on the tongue, is often linked to certain vitamin deficiencies. While other factors can cause this condition, nutritional gaps are a significant and often overlooked contributing factor. The most common deficiencies include Vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, deficiencies in zinc, iron, folic acid, and vitamins B6 and B12 are risk factors for developing geographic tongue. This article explores what vitamin deficiency causes patches on the tongue and other oral symptoms, and what steps you can take for a proper diagnosis.

While the exact cause of geographic tongue remains unknown, a link to specific nutritional deficiencies has been reported by health experts. This harmless but sometimes uncomfortable condition, also known as benign migratory glossitis, is characterized by map-like red patches on the tongue where the filiform papillae have been lost.

According to research, millions of people experience oral health issues, including tongue problems, that are often linked to nutritional deficiencies. Knowing which vitamin deficiency causes tongue peeling is an important step toward understanding and addressing the underlying nutritional imbalance for better oral health.

While the exact cause remains unknown, studies show a significant association between geographic tongue and nutritional deficiencies, with one study revealing a higher prevalence of celiac disease—a condition causing malabsorption—in those with geographic tongue. This benign but often irritating condition can provide important clues about underlying nutritional gaps.