DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have recently been diagnosed with geographic tongue. It is very annoying and I want to know if you can recommend anything for it. My doctor told me to try vitamin B complex but it isn’t doing much good.
DEAR READER:
Geographic tongue is a coating of white or yellow plaque. As the coating enlarges it sheds cells in the center, leaving red patches surrounded by thicker, white borders that give a map-like appearance.
The condition can be somewhat persistent and uncomfortable at times, lasting from a few months to a year. It is harmless, isn’t cancer, doesn’t represent any other disease, and will usually disappear on its own without treatment. For those individuals with unusually severe cases, a physician can prescribe topical analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs.
Alcohol, tobacco and toothpaste with tartar-control additives, strong flavoring or whitening agents should be avoided, as they tend to aggravate the affected areas.
If you are having a difficult time coping, ask your physician to prescribe something. Keep in mind that the condition will not clear up any faster with a prescription. The medication will simply make you feel better and should take care of the problem until it resolves on its own.
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