Glossitis (Smooth, Red or Sore Tongue)
Glossitis is the medical word for an inflamed tongue, and most people notice it as a tongue that suddenly looks redder, shinier, or smoother than it used to. It might sting with coffee or toothpaste, feel a little swollen, or just feel "raw." Sometimes the tongue is the first place low vitamin B12 or iron shows up, which is why we pay attention to it.
Glossitis is inflammation of the tongue that makes it look red, swollen, or unusually smooth, and it often feels sore or burns. It isn't contagious. Common causes include low vitamin B12, iron, or folate, a yeast infection, dry mouth, and irritation. Most cases settle within days to weeks once the cause is treated, which often means a blood test with your physician. Tongue swelling with trouble breathing needs 911.
Not sure this is what you have? Answer five quick questions in our mouth spot checker. It compares what you see with more than 40 common conditions and tells you how soon to have it looked at.
- What glossitis looks like
- What a B12 deficiency tongue looks like
- Iron deficiency and anemia tongue vs. normal
- Smooth tongue with no taste buds
- Median rhomboid glossitis
- Glossitis vs. look-alikes
- What causes glossitis?
- Sore tongue, burning tongue and other symptoms
- Swollen tongue: when it's an emergency
- Does glossitis go away on its own?
- Who finds the cause, and which tests
- Glossitis treatment
- How to soothe a sore tongue at home
- Over-the-counter options
- What a dentist can do
- Prevention
- Kids, pregnancy, dentures and cancer care
- Dental visit tips if you have anemia or low B12
- Doctor or dentist? When to get help
- FAQ
What glossitis looks like
A healthy tongue is covered in thousands of tiny bumps called papillae. Most of them are hair-like filiform papillae, which give the top of the tongue its slightly rough, matte, pinkish-white surface. Mixed in are larger, redder mushroom-shaped bumps, many of which hold taste buds.
With glossitis, you may see:
- A red or beefy red tongue, either all over or in patches.
- A smooth, shiny, or glossy surface where the bumps have flattened. Doctors call this atrophic glossitis. It often starts at the tip and sides and spreads inward.
- Mild swelling, sometimes with tooth marks along the edges.
- A single red, smooth patch in the middle of the tongue (median rhomboid glossitis, covered below).
- Small sores or cracks at the corners of the mouth along with the tongue changes.
What does a B12 deficiency tongue look like?
A tongue affected by low vitamin B12 tends to look smooth, shiny, and beefy red, often starting at the tip and sides. Compared with a normal tongue, it has lost its fine, velvety texture. Some people see the redness before the smoothness. Others have a tongue that looks almost normal but feels wrong.
B12 deficiency tongue symptoms
- Burning or soreness, especially with hot, spicy, or acidic food
- Tingling or a pins-and-needles feeling in the tongue
- A change in taste, or food tasting flat
- Sores: some people get recurring canker sores along with the tongue changes
- Cracks at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis), which shares the same deficiency causes
B12 does a lot more than keep the tongue healthy. It's needed to make red blood cells and to keep nerves working. The same deficiency can cause tiredness, pale skin, shortness of breath, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, unsteady walking, and memory or mood changes. Nerve symptoms are a reason to see your physician soon, because they can become permanent if the deficiency goes on for a long time.
B12 deficiency tongue treatment
The tongue gets better when the B12 level does. Your physician will choose between B12 shots and B12 by mouth depending on the cause. People with pernicious anemia or past stomach surgery often can't absorb B12 from food or regular pills, so they may need injections or high-dose tablets for life. In most people the soreness starts to ease within a couple of weeks of treatment, and the surface bumps grow back more slowly.
Iron deficiency and anemia tongue vs. a normal tongue
Anemia means you have fewer healthy red blood cells than you need. Low iron is the most common reason worldwide. Low B12 and low folate cause a different type. All of them can show up on the tongue, and you can't tell which deficiency it is just by looking.
| Normal tongue | Iron deficiency or anemia tongue | |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Pink, with a thin whitish film | Either pale (common with anemia in general) or red and inflamed where the papillae have worn away |
| Texture | Velvety, slightly rough | Smooth and glossy, starting at the tip and sides |
| Feel | Comfortable | Sore, burning, or sensitive to spice and acid |
| Other mouth signs | None | Cracked mouth corners, canker sores, pale gums |
| Body signs | None | Tiredness, pale skin, feeling cold, shortness of breath, craving ice, brittle or spoon-shaped nails |
Iron deficiency tongue sores can happen. Low iron makes the lining of the mouth thinner and easier to irritate, so canker sores and sore cracks at the corners of the mouth are common companions. Iron deficiency tongue treatment means fixing the iron level and the reason it dropped. Heavy periods, pregnancy, and a diet low in iron are common reasons. So are bleeding in the gut and conditions like celiac disease that block absorption, which is why your physician looks for the cause instead of just handing you iron pills.
Research on people with atrophic glossitis backs up the link. In a study of more than 1,000 people with a smooth tongue in Taiwan, about 1 in 5 had anemia, about 1 in 6 had low iron, and about 1 in 20 had low B12. A study of over 200 patients in China found low B12 in about two-thirds. The numbers vary by population, and plenty of people with a smooth tongue have normal bloodwork, which is why testing beats guessing.
Smooth tongue with no taste buds: what causes it?
People often describe a smooth tongue as having "no taste buds." What has really disappeared are the filiform papillae, the fine hair-like bumps that don't carry taste buds at all. They're the first to flatten, so the tongue looks bald even while most taste buds are still there. In more advanced cases the taste-carrying bumps shrink too, and food can taste dull.
Common smooth tongue causes:
- Anemia and iron deficiency
- Low vitamin B12 or folate, and less often low riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), or other B vitamins
- Yeast (Candida), which can cause red, smooth areas without the classic white coating
- Dry mouth from medicines, radiation, or Sjögren's disease. Saliva protects the papillae, so a dry tongue often turns red and smooth. See dry mouth and Sjögren's and your mouth.
- Celiac disease and Crohn's disease, which can block absorption of iron, B12, and folate
- Oral lichen planus in its red, thinned form
- Protein-calorie malnutrition, heavy alcohol use, or weight-loss surgery
Median rhomboid glossitis: the red patch in the middle of the tongue
Median rhomboid glossitis is a smooth, red, diamond or oval patch right in the center of the top of the tongue, just in front of the V-shaped row of large bumps near the back. People often find it by accident and worry. It's harmless. Most experts now link it to a long-standing Candida (yeast) infection in that spot, and it's more common in smokers, people who use steroid inhalers, denture wearers, and people with diabetes.
It usually doesn't hurt. If it burns or itches, an antifungal medicine often calms it down. The patch may shrink and soften in color with treatment, but it doesn't always disappear completely, and that's fine if it isn't bothering you. A matching red patch on the roof of the mouth where the tongue touches can be a sign that the immune system needs a closer look, so we mention it to your physician if we see one.
Glossitis vs. geographic tongue, thrush and other look-alikes
A red or sore tongue has a short list of usual suspects. The pattern, and whether it moves, tells us a lot.
| Condition | How it looks | How it's different from glossitis from a deficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic tongue | Smooth red patches with white, wavy borders | Patches move around over days to weeks and the rest of the tongue is normal. Harmless and not caused by a deficiency. |
| Oral thrush | White, creamy patches, or red, burning areas | White patches wipe off and leave a raw spot. Often follows antibiotics, steroid inhalers, or dentures. Treated with antifungals. |
| Burning mouth syndrome | A tongue that looks normal but burns | No redness or smoothing. Usually worse as the day goes on. Diagnosed once other causes, including low B12 and iron, are ruled out. Read about burning mouth syndrome. |
| Oral lichen planus | Lacy white lines, sometimes with red, thin or sore areas | Often on both cheeks too, and lasts for months or years. Read about oral lichen planus. |
| Scalded tongue | Red, peeling, tender area | Clear cause (hot coffee or pizza), heals in about a week. |
| Allergic or contact reaction | Red, sore, sometimes swollen or peeling tongue | Follows a new toothpaste, mouthwash, cinnamon gum or candy, or a new medicine. Clears up when you stop it. |
| Erythroplakia | A single velvety red patch that doesn't go away | One fixed patch, often on the side or underside of the tongue or floor of the mouth, lasting 2 weeks or more. Needs an exam and usually a biopsy. |
Beefy red tongue vs. strawberry tongue
A beefy red tongue from anemia or low B12 is smooth, because the bumps have flattened. A strawberry tongue is red and bumpy, with swollen red papillae poking up, sometimes through a white coat at first. Strawberry tongue in a child with fever points to scarlet fever or Kawasaki disease and needs a doctor the same day. It isn't a dental problem.
What causes glossitis?
Glossitis is a sign, not a disease of its own. Finding the reason behind it is the real work. The usual causes fall into a few groups.
Nutritional deficiencies
- Vitamin B12. Risk is higher with pernicious anemia (an autoimmune problem that blocks B12 absorption), age over 50, vegan or mostly plant-based diets, weight-loss surgery, celiac or Crohn's disease, and long-term use of metformin or acid reducers like omeprazole and other proton pump inhibitors.
- Iron. Heavy periods, pregnancy, blood loss from the gut, frequent blood donation, and poor absorption.
- Folate, and less often riboflavin, niacin, B6, or zinc.
Infection
- Candida (yeast), especially with dentures, steroid inhalers, recent antibiotics, diabetes, dry mouth, or a weakened immune system.
- Viral or bacterial infections, which are uncommon causes in healthy adults.
Irritation, allergy, and medicines
- Hot foods, spice, alcohol, tobacco, and rubbing from a sharp tooth or rough denture.
- Flavorings like cinnamon, strong mint, and some toothpaste ingredients.
- Some medicines have been linked to glossitis, including certain blood pressure pills (ACE inhibitors), some antibiotics, and lithium.
Body-wide conditions
- Celiac disease and Crohn's disease, mostly through poor absorption. See celiac disease mouth signs and Crohn's disease mouth sores.
- Sjögren's disease and other causes of dry mouth.
- Diabetes, mainly by making yeast infections more likely.
- Psoriasis, which is linked to geographic tongue.
Our guide to autoimmune and systemic mouth signs covers how other conditions show up in the mouth.
Sore tongue, burning tongue and other glossitis symptoms
Glossitis can be painless and only noticed in the mirror, or it can make eating miserable. Common symptoms:
- Sore tongue or tongue pain, often worse with acidic, salty, or spicy food
- Burning tongue, sometimes described as feeling scalded
- A red spot on the tongue or a tongue that's red all over
- A smooth or shiny surface
- Mild swelling or a "too big" feeling
- Changes in taste
- Trouble chewing, swallowing, or talking when it's sore
If your tongue hurts but looks completely normal, glossitis may not be the answer. That pattern fits burning mouth syndrome, dry mouth, or reflux better. It still deserves bloodwork, because low B12 and iron can make the tongue burn before anything shows.
Swollen tongue: when it's an emergency
Glossitis can make the tongue a little puffy, sometimes with scalloped edges from pressing against the teeth. That's not dangerous. Fast, obvious swelling is a different story.
Call 911 if your tongue swells and:
- Your lips, face, or throat are swelling too
- You have trouble breathing, swallowing, or speaking, or your voice changes
- It started after a new food, medicine, or bee sting, or you have hives
- The floor of your mouth is swollen and pushing the tongue up, especially with fever or a toothache
This kind of swelling is called angioedema. It can happen with allergies, and some blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril) can cause it even after years of use without problems. Fever with a swollen, raised floor of the mouth can mean a spreading infection. Both are emergencies, not something to wait on.
Does glossitis go away on its own?
Sometimes. Glossitis from a burn, a reaction to a toothpaste, or a short illness usually clears on its own once the trigger is gone, often within a week or two. Glossitis from a deficiency or a yeast infection usually doesn't go away until the cause is treated.
Once treatment starts, the soreness tends to ease first, often over days to a couple of weeks. The surface bumps take longer, sometimes several weeks or a few months, to fully grow back. If the redness or soreness keeps coming back, the cause probably hasn't been fully fixed. A B12 level that drops again after shots are stopped is a common example.
Who finds the cause, and which tests
We can see that your tongue looks smooth or red, and we can often tell you whether it fits a deficiency, yeast, or something else. We can't tell you that you have anemia or low B12 by looking. That diagnosis comes from blood tests, usually ordered by your primary care physician.
| Possible cause | Who usually diagnoses it | Common tests |
|---|---|---|
| Anemia, low iron, B12, or folate | Primary care physician | Complete blood count (CBC), ferritin and iron studies, B12, folate. Sometimes methylmalonic acid or homocysteine if B12 is borderline. |
| Pernicious anemia | Primary care or hematology | Intrinsic factor and parietal cell antibodies |
| Celiac disease or Crohn's disease | Primary care, then gastroenterology | Celiac blood test (tTG-IgA), stool and blood tests, scope exams |
| Yeast (Candida) | Dentist or physician | Exam, sometimes a smear or culture, response to antifungal treatment |
| Diabetes | Primary care | A1c or fasting glucose |
| Sjögren's disease | Rheumatology | Blood antibodies, saliva flow test, sometimes a lip biopsy |
| A patch that doesn't fit the pattern | Dentist, oral surgeon or other specialist | Biopsy |
Glossitis treatment: fix the cause, then the comfort
Glossitis treatment depends completely on why it's happening.
- B12 deficiency: B12 shots or B12 by mouth, chosen by your physician based on the cause. Please don't self-treat with folic acid alone, because it can improve blood counts while a B12 problem keeps damaging nerves.
- Iron deficiency: iron by mouth or by IV, plus finding out why the iron dropped. Don't start iron on your own without a blood test. Too much iron is harmful, and it can hide a bleeding problem that needs attention.
- Folate or other vitamin deficiencies: supplements and diet changes guided by your physician.
- Yeast: prescription antifungals such as nystatin rinse, clotrimazole troches, or fluconazole tablets, plus cleaning and soaking dentures.
- Irritation or allergy: stop the trigger, smooth sharp edges, adjust dentures.
- Medication-related: talk to the prescriber. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
- Dry mouth: saliva substitutes, sipping water, sugar-free xylitol products, and reviewing medicines.
How to soothe a sore tongue at home
These steps make the tongue more comfortable while the cause gets sorted out. They don't replace testing.
- Switch to a plain toothpaste. Pick one that's mild, without whitening agents, tartar control, cinnamon, or strong mint. An SLS-free paste helps some people.
- Rinse gently 3 or 4 times a day. Use warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt in a cup of water) or a baking soda rinse (1 teaspoon in a cup of water). Swish and spit.
- Skip the irritants for a week or two. Hot drinks, spicy food, citrus, tomato, vinegar, salty snacks, cinnamon, alcohol, and tobacco.
- Cool it down. Ice chips, cold water, yogurt, and smoothies without citrus are soothing.
- Keep your mouth moist. Sip water through the day. Try a saliva substitute if your mouth is dry.
- Keep brushing and clean your tongue gently. Use a soft brush. If you wear dentures, take them out at night and clean them daily.
- Write it down. Note when it started, what you eat, new products or medicines, and any tiredness or tingling. That list helps your physician and us.
Over-the-counter options for a sore tongue
| Type | What it does | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Numbing gels and liquids (benzocaine, lidocaine) | Short-term relief, handy before meals | Use as the label directs. Do not use benzocaine in children under 2. The FDA warns it can cause a rare, dangerous blood problem (methemoglobinemia). |
| Alcohol-free mouth rinses | Keep the mouth clean without stinging | Avoid rinses with alcohol, strong mint, or cinnamon. |
| Saliva substitutes and dry mouth gels | Moisten and protect a dry, sore tongue | Helpful at night. Look for sugar-free products. |
| Pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen) | General pain relief | Swallow as the label directs, including children's doses by weight or age. In pregnancy, ask your OB first. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are generally avoided from 20 weeks on unless your doctor says otherwise. |
| Vitamins and iron | Treat a proven deficiency | Start them after a blood test, so your physician can find the cause and you don't mask a problem. |
There's no over-the-counter antifungal for the mouth in the U.S. If yeast is the cause, you'll need a prescription.
What a dentist can do for glossitis
A smooth, red, or sore tongue is something we see regularly, often in people who've already tried a few things at home. Here's what a visit with us looks like.
- Look closely and ask questions. We check the whole mouth, not just the tongue, and ask about diet, medicines, energy level, stomach problems, and tingling.
- Check for yeast and prescribe an antifungal if it fits.
- Remove irritation. We can smooth a sharp tooth, repair a broken filling, or adjust a rubbing denture.
- Coordinate bloodwork. If the tongue suggests a deficiency, we'll send a note to your physician recommending a CBC, iron studies, B12, and folate, and we follow up on the results with you.
- Treat dry mouth and protect your teeth if it's part of the picture.
- Biopsy or refer for biopsy if a red patch stays in one place or doesn't act like glossitis, because a biopsy is the only way to know for sure what a fixed red patch is.
- Take photos so we can compare at follow-up and see whether treatment is working.
For people with complex medical histories, our medically complex dental care and oral medicine and diagnosis pages explain how we work with your physicians.
How to prevent glossitis
- Get B12 checked if you're at risk. That includes people over 50, vegans, people who've had weight-loss surgery, and anyone on long-term metformin or acid reducers. Ask your physician whether you need a supplement.
- Treat the cause of low iron, not just the number. Heavy periods and stomach problems are worth bringing up.
- Rinse after steroid inhalers and spit, to lower the chance of yeast.
- Take dentures out at night and clean them daily.
- Keep diabetes under good control to lower yeast risk.
- Avoid your known triggers, like cinnamon or a toothpaste that's caused trouble before.
- Don't smoke. Smoking is linked to median rhomboid glossitis and many other mouth problems.
Glossitis in kids, pregnancy, denture wearers and cancer care
Babies and children
A red tongue in a child is more often geographic tongue, a viral illness, or a burn than a deficiency. A bright red, bumpy strawberry tongue with fever needs a pediatrician the same day. Picky eaters, toddlers who drink a lot of milk, and kids on restrictive diets can run low on iron, so a smooth, pale, or sore tongue with tiredness is worth a blood test. Avoid benzocaine numbing products under age 2.
Pregnancy
Iron and folate needs rise a lot during pregnancy, and anemia is common. A sore, smooth tongue is a good reason to ask your OB to check your levels. Keep taking your prenatal vitamin, and check with your OB before starting any new medicine or supplement.
Denture wearers
Dentures make yeast more likely, both under the denture and on the tongue. Sleeping in dentures is the biggest risk factor. A worn denture can also rub the tongue. Read more about dentures and denture care.
People on chemotherapy or radiation
Cancer treatment can make the tongue red, sore, and smooth from mucositis, yeast, and dry mouth all at once. Tell your oncology team about any mouth pain, and see our head and neck cancer dental care page for how we help before, during, and after treatment.
Weakened immune system
People living with HIV, organ transplant recipients, and others on immune-suppressing medicines are more prone to yeast, including median rhomboid glossitis. It's very treatable. See HIV and your mouth for more.
Dental visit tips if you have anemia or low B12
- Bring your latest lab results or let us know who your physician is so we can coordinate.
- Tell us about every medicine and supplement, including B12 shots, iron, and blood thinners.
- Schedule around your energy. If anemia makes you tired or dizzy, a morning visit and a snack beforehand help.
- Mention tongue or mouth numbness. It can affect how we plan numbing and helps us track B12-related nerve symptoms.
- Ask about sensitive-mouth products. We can suggest a mild toothpaste and rinse while your tongue heals.
- Keep up cleanings. A sore tongue makes brushing harder, so plaque can build up faster for a while.
Doctor or dentist? When to get help for tongue pain
Make an appointment with us if:
- Your tongue has been red, smooth, or sore for more than 2 weeks
- You have a single red patch that stays in the same place
- Your tongue hurts but you can't see why
- Soreness sits next to a sharp tooth, broken filling, or denture
- You have white patches that wipe off, or a burning tongue after antibiotics or with dentures
See your physician soon if:
- A smooth or sore tongue comes with tiredness, pale skin, shortness of breath, or craving ice
- You have tingling or numbness in your hands or feet, balance trouble, or memory changes
- You have diarrhea, belly pain, or weight loss along with tongue changes
- You've had weight-loss surgery, follow a vegan diet, or take metformin or acid reducers long term
Get care today (or call 911) if:
- Your tongue, lips, or throat are swelling, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing
- A child has a red tongue with high fever, rash, or red eyes
- You can't eat or drink enough because of pain
- The floor of your mouth is swollen, with fever
Glossitis FAQ
What is glossitis?
Glossitis is inflammation of the tongue. The tongue usually looks red, swollen, or smooth because the tiny bumps on its surface have flattened, and it may feel sore or burn. It's a sign of something else, such as low B12 or iron, a yeast infection, dry mouth, or irritation, rather than a disease on its own.
What causes glossitis?
The most common causes are low vitamin B12, iron, or folate, a Candida yeast infection, dry mouth, and irritation from hot food, spices, tobacco, toothpaste ingredients, or a rough tooth or denture. Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, weight-loss surgery, and some medicines can lead to it by lowering vitamin levels or drying the mouth. Bloodwork with your physician helps sort out which one it is.
How do you cure glossitis?
You treat the cause. That might mean B12 or iron prescribed by your physician, an antifungal for yeast, stopping an irritating toothpaste, or fixing a sharp tooth. While the cause is treated, a mild toothpaste, salt-water rinses, cool foods, and avoiding spicy and acidic foods make the tongue more comfortable.
Does glossitis go away on its own?
Glossitis from a burn or a short-lived irritation often clears on its own within a week or two. Glossitis from a vitamin deficiency or yeast usually doesn't go away until the cause is treated. If your tongue has been red, smooth, or sore for more than two weeks, it's worth getting checked.
Does B12 deficiency cause glossitis?
Yes. Low vitamin B12 is one of the best-known causes of atrophic glossitis, a smooth, red, sore tongue. It can also cause burning, tingling, and taste changes. Because B12 deficiency can affect your blood and nerves, a smooth or sore tongue is a good reason to ask your physician for a B12 test.
What does a B12 deficiency tongue look like?
It usually looks smooth, shiny, and beefy red, often starting at the tip and sides, instead of having the normal velvety texture. It may burn, tingle, or feel sore, and some people get canker sores or cracked mouth corners too. Low iron and folate can look the same, so a blood test is the only way to know which one it is.
Can iron deficiency cause sores on the tongue?
Yes. Low iron can thin the lining of the mouth, making the tongue smooth, red, and sore, and it can go along with canker sores and cracks at the corners of the mouth. Iron deficiency is diagnosed with blood tests such as a CBC and ferritin. Your physician will also look for the reason your iron is low.
What does an anemia tongue look like compared with a normal tongue?
A normal tongue is pink with a matte, slightly rough surface. With anemia, the tongue may look pale, or it may turn red, smooth, and glossy where the bumps have worn away. It's often sore. Pale gums, tiredness, and shortness of breath can come with it.
Can glossitis cause cancer?
No. Glossitis itself doesn't turn into cancer, and most red, sore tongues are caused by deficiencies, yeast, or irritation. A single red or red-and-white patch that stays in one place for more than two weeks is different and should be examined, because a biopsy is the only way to know what it is.
Does median rhomboid glossitis go away?
Median rhomboid glossitis often improves with antifungal treatment, and the redness and soreness usually fade. The patch doesn't always disappear completely, but it's harmless and doesn't need treatment if it isn't bothering you. Quitting smoking, rinsing after steroid inhalers, and good denture care help keep it from flaring.
Why does my tongue hurt?
Common reasons include a burn or bite, canker sores, irritated taste buds, yeast, glossitis from low B12 or iron, dry mouth, and reactions to toothpaste or food. If your tongue hurts but looks normal, burning mouth syndrome or reflux may be the cause. Pain lasting more than two weeks, or pain with a lump or a patch that won't heal, should be checked.
Is glossitis contagious?
No. Glossitis isn't spread by kissing or sharing drinks. Even when yeast is involved, the yeast is already a normal part of most people's mouths, and the problem is an overgrowth in that person rather than something they caught.
What is the difference between a beefy red tongue and a strawberry tongue?
A beefy red tongue from anemia or low B12 is smooth because its bumps have flattened. A strawberry tongue is red and bumpy, with swollen papillae standing up. Strawberry tongue with fever in a child can be a sign of scarlet fever or Kawasaki disease and needs a doctor the same day.
Tongue sore, red, or suddenly smooth?
If you're in the Jacksonville area and your tongue has changed or hurts for no clear reason, we're glad to take a look. Dr. Henley sees patients with tongue and mouth problems that are hard to pin down, and we'll work with your physician when the answer is in your bloodwork.
Related conditions
Sources
- Sharabi AF, Winters R. Glossitis. StatPearls. National Library of Medicine; updated 2023.
- Reamy BV, Derby R, Bunt CW. Common tongue conditions in primary care. Am Fam Physician. 2010;81(5):627–634.
- Chen GY, Tang ZQ, Bao ZX. Vitamin B12 deficiency may play an etiological role in atrophic glossitis and its grading: a clinical case-control study. BMC Oral Health. 2022;22(1):456.
- Wu YH, Wu YC, Chang JY, Lee YP, Chiang CP, Sun A. Significantly lower mean serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels and a significantly higher frequency of serum iron deficiency in younger than in older atrophic glossitis patients. J Dent Sci. 2022;17(4):1487–1493.
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B12: fact sheet for health professionals. Updated 2025.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Risk of serious and potentially fatal blood disorder prompts FDA action on oral over-the-counter benzocaine products. 2018.
This page is for general education and isn't a diagnosis. Every mouth is different. If you have a sore you're worried about, see your dentist or physician. Photos marked Wikimedia Commons are used under their listed licenses and may have been cropped or resized.