It seems like there are so many potential health dangers out there — we are supposed to be worried about nearly everything!
However, paying attention to the signals our bodies are sending us can help to avoid unnecessary panic or to stop a problem before it gets serious.
I was very surprised to learn that teeth imprints on the tongue might actually hold a whole lot of meaning. There are some silly things that may be causing them, but there might also be a serious underlying health issue.
This exclusive list reveals the potential causes of these bizarre teeth indentations.
I had no idea about any of these. Some can be a simple fix, like if you have ill-fitting dentures, while others may reveal a major problem, such as hypothyroidism.
Identifying this symptom is an easy and effective first step toward figuring out what might be going on with your body.
Scroll through below to see what might be the cause of teeth marks on your tongue, as well as what you can do to make them finally go away!
Thumbnail Photo: Berrydiaries.com
Do You Have Teeth Imprints On Your Tongue?
Teeth imprints on your tongue are fairly easy to spot.
They occur along the outside of the tongue, and may vary in terms of depth and severity.
Also known as a scalloped tongue, this occurrence is not a problem in and of itself, but can be a sign of something much more serious.
Keep scrolling to see eight potential causes for these teeth marks and how you can finally make them go away!
Cause #1: Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious condition where a person's airway is blocked repeatedly during the night, causing them to stop breathing.
While sleep apnea is very common, it can lead to many serious issues such as heart attack, stroke, or even depression.
According to the Huffington Post, one sign of sleep apnea is "tongue indentations, or teeth imprints on the tongue that suggest it's too big for the mouth."
Cause #2: Digestive Trouble
Everybody deals with digestive troubles now and again, but there is always the possibility of something much more serious going on.
One such indication that the digestive system may be in jeopardy is the presence of tongue indentations.
According to Spinach And Yoga, teeth imprints mean "your digestive system is not very happy."
Cause #3: Ill-Fitting Dentures
It is also entirely possible that your tongue indentations are not that serious at all, as with a set of ill-fitting dentures.
According to Tandurust.com, "An ill-fitting denture can compress the sides of the tongue resulting in crenate or scalloped tongue."
Cause #4: Hypothyroidism
When the thyroid gland isn't functioning properly, serious growth and mental development problems can occur.
According to Healcure.org, these indentations may happen "when your tongue swells [too] much."
They go on to say that a swollen tongue is one sign of hypothyroidism.
Cause #5: Vitamin Deficiency
It is extremely important to our overall health to make sure our bodies are receiving the correct amount of vitamins and nutrients.
According to Tandurust.com, "Vitamin B12 deficiency" can be a large cause of "teeth impressions on the tongue."
Cause #6: TMJ
TMJ occurs when the jaw is not working properly, potentially causing a large amount of pain or for your jaw to get "stuck."
However, not all symptoms of TMJ are that obvious.
Tanurust.com writes, "Temporal-mandibular joint syndrome can be one of the reasons for enlargement and swollen tongue," as indicated by teeth marks.
Cause #7: Dehydration
Dehydration may not sound serious, but it can become serious if it isn't addressed.
According to Healcure.org, dehydration may be indicated by a swollen or scalloped tongue.
In this case, proper hydration can be a quick fix and should ideally solve the problem.
Cause #8: Anxiety
You may know you are an anxious person or your anxiety may have gone unnoticed.
However, one indication that you may have severe anxiety is the appearance of teeth indentations on the tongue.
Healcure.org writes, "Anxiety can also make people press their tongue against their teeth…since [anxiety] often causes muscle tensions."
How Do I Make Teeth Indentations Go Away?
The only way to treat the problem is to receive the proper diagnosis.
After all, the teeth indentations are merely a symptom of a potentially larger issue going on.
A doctor visit and a dental visit can be extremely helpful in finding the underlying cause, and getting you on the path to improved health right away!
Spotting this symptom and finding the cause of it can help you to avoid serious medical issues.
Have you ever talked to your doctor about tongue indentations? What was causing yours? Let us know in the comments.
Please SHARE this important health information with friends and family!
