Temporomandibular Joint Conditions
There are many different causes of scalloped tongue. One of the lesser-known causes is temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ). It is a condition that affects the joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. It can cause jaw, face, neck, and shoulder pain. It can also cause clicking or popping noises when moving the mouth.
There are many different theories about how TMJ can cause scalloped tongue. One theory is that when people have TMJ, they tend to hold their mouths clenched shut for long periods. This can pressure the tongue’s sides, leading to the indentations seen in a scalloped tongue.
Another theory is that when people have TMJ, they may unconsciously stick out their tongues to relieve pain in the jaw. This could also lead to indentations on the sides of the tongue. However, more research must be done to confirm this relationship and establish any causal relationships between TMJ disorders and other underlying medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, autoimmune disorders, and allergies, as noted earlier.
