What causes jagged edges on the tongue?

In daily life, I believe that many people are prone to having jagged marks on their tongues. There are many reasons for the jagged edges of the tongue. This may be caused by teeth marks. Bruise on the body can also easily lead to tooth marks. An enlarged tongue, or a weak spleen and stomach and severe qi deficiency can also easily lead to this situation.

What causes the edges of the tongue to be jagged?

A tongue that always appears serrated is a symptom of serrated tongue. If there are marks of teeth on the edge of the tongue, it is called serrated tongue.

Main diseases and related research:

Tongue with tooth marks is mostly caused by an enlarged tongue that is compressed by the edge of the teeth. Therefore, tongue with tooth marks is often seen together with enlarged tongue. It is mostly caused by spleen deficiency and is the main symptom of deficiency syndrome. If the tongue is pale and moist, it means the spleen is weak and cold and dampness are excessive.

The cause of tongue with tooth marks is mostly due to spleen deficiency that is unable to transport and transform water and dampness. The dampness is blocked in the tongue and causes the tongue to become fat and tender, which is squeezed by the teeth and forms tooth marks. Therefore, tooth marks are often seen together with a fat and tender tongue. On the one hand, the tongue is swollen, which is due to spleen yang deficiency and excessive dampness. On the other hand, the tongue muscles are relaxed and the mouth is not opened enough, which is due to spleen qi deficiency.

Scalloped tongue main diseases:

Pale white, moist and with tooth marks, it indicates excessive cold and dampness;

Pale red with tooth marks, it indicates spleen deficiency or qi deficiency;

Red and swollen mouth with teeth marks on the edges, mostly due to damp heat and phlegm stagnation;

In short, it can be divided into two types: Qi deficiency and Yang deficiency:

(1) Qi deficiency type: Spleen deficiency. Main symptoms: pale tongue, thin white tongue coating, plump and tender tongue, tooth marks on the edges of the tongue, pale or yellowish complexion, shortness of breath and laziness to speak, heavy head and swollen body, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, decreased appetite, abdominal distension after eating, nausea and vomiting, loose stools, and a thready and weak pulse. Treatment principle: tonify the middle and replenish Qi.

(2) Yang deficiency type: Main symptoms: The tongue is pale white, moist or slippery, round, plump and tender with teeth marks on the edges. Pale or dark complexion, fatigue, lethargy and love of lying down, bland mouth without thirst, poor appetite, cold pain in the abdomen, relieved by warmth, cold stomach and limbs, clear urine and loose stools, or edema, and a deep and weak pulse. Treatment principle: spicy and warm to tonify Yang.

Clinical manifestations

Pale white, moist and with tooth marks, it indicates excessive cold and dampness;

Pale red with tooth marks, it indicates spleen deficiency or qi deficiency;

Red and swollen mouth with teeth marks on the edges, mostly due to damp heat and phlegm stagnation;

In short, it can be divided into two types: Qi deficiency and Yang deficiency:

⑴ Qi deficiency type: weak spleen, main symptoms: pale tongue, thin white tongue coating, plump and tender tongue, tooth marks on the edges of the tongue, pale or yellowish complexion, shortness of breath and laziness to speak, heavy head and swollen body, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, decreased appetite, abdominal distension after eating, nausea and vomiting, loose stools, and weak pulse. Treatment principle: tonify the middle and replenish Qi.

⑵ Yang deficiency type: Main symptoms: pale tongue, moist and slippery tongue surface, round, plump and tender tongue with teeth marks on the edges. Pale or dark complexion, fatigue, lethargy and love of lying down, bland mouth without thirst, poor appetite, cold pain in the abdomen, relieved by warmth, cold stomach and limbs, clear urine and loose stools, or edema, and a deep and weak pulse. Treatment principle: spicy and warm to tonify Yang.