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Abstract: An 8-year-old girl came to our stomatology department because of a pattern-like pattern that kept growing on her tongue and its location was not very fixed, which occurred at regular intervals, with occasional painful symptoms that interfered with eating. Through careful questioning and combined with oral examination and medical history, she was finally diagnosed with wandering tongue, also known as map tongue, which is one of the types of tongue inflammation. Through medication and oral hygiene promotion, the symptoms were relieved and the treatment effect was good without recurrence.
Basic information】Female, 8 years old
Disease Type】Wandering Tongue
Hospital】Nei Mongol Autonomous Region Maternal and Child Health Hospital
Date of Consultation】April 2022
Treatment plan】Removal of the cause (correction of poor oral hygiene habits) + medication (vitamin B2 tablets)
Treatment Period】Outpatient consultation, regular (3 months) review
Treatment effect] Good treatment effect, no recurrence
I. Initial consultation
The main character of this case is an 8-year-old girl. The parents described that the child always had a pattern on her tongue, and the location was not very fixed, and it would occur every once in a while. The parents said that the child likes to eat sweet food such as lollipops and candied fruit, and usually brushes her teeth not too seriously, sometimes forgetting to brush her teeth at night, and after going to elementary school the child drinks less water, does not like to eat fruit, and goes to bed later every day. Through careful oral examination combined with medical history, the initial diagnosis was wandering linguitis. The child is usually in good health and has no chronic diseases.
Second, the treatment process
The oral examination of the child was recorded in the medical record. The dorsum of the tongue showed atrophic and slightly concave filiform papillae in the central region, the mucosa was congested and red, with smooth exfoliative erythema on the surface, and the peripheral area showed thickened filiform papillae with yellowish-white stripes, forming a clear demarcation with the surrounding normal mucosa. The diagnosis of wandering tongue, also known as map tongue, was confirmed by the examination and medical history. As the child had a mild form of wandering tongue, no special treatment was required. We carefully explained the pathogenesis and related factors to the child and parents, and provided psychological guidance to the child to reduce tension and eliminate the fear of the patient and family. The child is advised to take oral vitamin B2 tablets for treatment, change bad oral habits, pay attention to oral hygiene, drink more plain water, and eat fresh fruits as much as possible to supplement vitamins.
(Face-to-face consultation)
III. Treatment effect
Through medication and oral hygiene promotion, the symptoms of tongue inflammation improved significantly. The painful symptoms when eating are significantly improved, and the water intake is usually increased, and the multivitamin is supplemented daily. The eating of lollipops, preserves and other sweets was also well controlled and was not eaten for almost half a month. The child has developed a good habit of brushing his teeth every morning and evening, rinsing his mouth with water after eating food, and every night before bedtime the child’s parents play some interesting bedtime stories to relax the child. At present, the treatment effect is good, and the follow-up examination is conducted every 3 months, and there is no recurrence.
IV. Notes
I am glad that the child’s symptoms have been relieved, but I also need to advise the child’s parents to let the child eat fresh fruits in season, pay attention to avoid letting the child drink stimulating carbonated drinks, and avoid hot, sour, dried fruits, lollipops and other locally stimulating foods. Help children to develop the habit of brushing their teeth carefully in the morning and evening, regular work and rest time, early to bed and early to rise, and strengthen the nutrition of three meals, which will help to enhance physical fitness and improve resistance.
V. Personal insight
Map tongue, also known as wandering linguitis, is common in children, more girls than boys, and occurs in the back of the tongue, tongue, tongue edge and other parts, and the location is not fixed, is wandering characteristics, repeated attacks. This child was induced to develop lingual inflammation due to poor eating habits and lack of attention to oral hygiene, but fortunately the treatment was timely and did not cause adverse consequences. Therefore, parents need to pay attention to: help children to develop good eating habits and oral hygiene habits, avoid eating a lot of snacks or other stimulating food, help children to develop the habit of carefully brushing their teeth in the morning and evening, can greatly reduce the incidence of wandering tongue infection.