Various Causes of Decreased Function of the Tongue and its Impact

There are various kinds of functions of the tongue. Not only tasting, chewing, mixing, and swallowing food, the tongue also serves to help the process of speaking and fighting germs that cause disease. If the function of the tongue decreases, of course this will cause health problems and may interfere with daily activities. In the medical world, disorders of the tongue are very diverse, it can be a change in the color and texture of the tongue, the tongue feels painful and swollen, the tongue is difficult to move, or the tongue is unable to taste and taste sweet, bitter, salty, or sour. All of these disorders can cause decreased tongue function. These problems arise with different causes.

Signs and Causes of Decreased Tongue Function

The causes of decreased tongue function can vary greatly, ranging from mild factors to severe factors. To find out the cause of decreased tongue function, doctors will usually check the symptoms experienced by the patient first. Below are some signs of decreased tongue function and their causes:

• The tongue swells

Swelling in the tongue can occur due to various things, ranging from strep throat, allergic reactions, injury or infection of the tongue, to tongue cancer.

• The texture of the tongue changes

Changes in the texture of the tongue can be influenced by long-term use of antibiotic drugs, or because of the effects of radiation therapy on the head and neck. The texture of the tongue can also change due to irritation due to the use of toothpaste that contains chemicals that cause irritation, consuming food or drinks that are too hot, or smoking and drinking excessive coffee.

• The tongue changes color

The causes of tongue color changes vary, depending on the color change. The change in tongue color becomes pink due to lack of iron and vitamin B12. Discoloration of the tongue to white is usually caused by lack of fluid intake, smoking, drinking alcohol, and not maintaining oral hygiene. In addition, the presence of fungal infections in the oral cavity can also cause thickening of the tongue that looks white.

• The tongue hurts

Pain in the tongue is generally caused by injury or infection, for example due to bumping, bitten, canker sores, or due to lack of oral hygiene. This condition can also appear as an allergic reaction to a food, irritate the contents of toothpaste or mouthwash, consume foods that are too hot, to the influence of other diseases such as oral herpes, anemia, neuralgia, and cancer.

What happens if the function of the tongue decreases?

The disorders above, can cause complaints that interfere with the functions of the tongue. Besides having the main function as a sense of taste, communication aids, chewing and swallowing food, the tongue also functions as a means of sucking, touching, and protecting the mouth from germs. When the function of the tongue as a communication aid decreases, you will have difficulty talking or communicating with others. Because, someone can talk if the tongue, teeth, and lips are able to work together to process the sound that comes out of the throat, to become letters, words, and sentences that can be understood. Another example, when the function of the tongue as a chewing device is disrupted, you can lack food intake. Because, the food you eat will certainly be difficult to swallow if it is not chewed and processed in the mouth first. You may also be reluctant to eat because it hurts. If that happens, your general health condition will also be disrupted. Apart from the two things above, another effect of the decline in tongue function is the loss of the ability to feel or taste, which can be aggravated by the aging process. The average human has about 10,000 taste buds that change every two weeks (or more) once. But as we age, the taste tip becomes more difficult to replace or regenerate. After the age of 50, the taste buds gradually decrease until only 5,000 remain. Decreased ability of the tongue as a sense of taste is common in the elderly (elderly) as part of the aging process. Even so, whatever your age, you should immediately consult a doctor or dentist if you feel a decrease in tongue function. If quickly treated, complications arising from interference with the tongue will be prevented.