What disease's precursor is biting the tongue?
Disease description:
I've been noticing that I often bite my tongue lately, which feels quite strange because it never happened before. I've always been in good health. Doctor, could biting the tongue be a sign of any illness?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Biting the tongue may be a precursor to several medical conditions, specifically including the following aspects:
1. Oral diseases: such as gingivitis, oral ulcers, and glossitis. These conditions may cause pain or discomfort inside the mouth, making patients more prone to biting their tongues.
2. Neurological diseases: such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. These diseases may affect the control of oral muscles, leading to tongue biting.
3. Cerebrovascular diseases: such as cerebral infarction and stroke. These conditions may damage the hypoglossal nerve, impairing tongue movement and causing patients to bite their tongues while eating. Particularly in elderly individuals, frequent tongue biting accompanied by symptoms such as hypertension and heart disease should raise concerns about the possibility of cerebrovascular disease.
4. Dental problems: such as misaligned teeth or abnormal occlusion. These issues may cause patients to bite their tongues during chewing.
5. Lifestyle factors: such as chronic fatigue, high mental stress, and lack of concentration may also lead to tongue biting while eating.
If tongue biting occurs frequently, prompt medical attention is recommended.
