--- title: Why Do I Have Wavy Tongue Edges? · PrepScholar description: Wondering what causes a wavy tongue? We explain what wavy tongue edges can signal and whether you should be concerned. image: https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/feature_cat_tongue.jpg --- **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** CALL NOW: [+1 (866) 811-5546](tel:18668115546) [![Start Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-171805697634.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKJluK2NyG3jpAJh%2F2lClc1fhnVHyMZoQonqRxtJngB8FMX6lc78F84JqOaVAL0d36TA5%2FYuH%2FLCJw8AG3ewREi%2F7a3XDouZgjxWfYCBUge6z76KnSykOxONl3avMK0gUjJGpJdyJE2BDTx8g3bsgHwMtx4Kr9Jfh6Jr7WA2XEIgtLw1OoVvAMo4Kw%3D&webInteractiveContentId=171805697634&portalId=360031) ## Choose Your Test SAT Prep ACT Prep [PrepScholar Advice Blog](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) ☰ - Search Blogs By Category - [SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat) - [ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act) - [College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions) - [AP and IB Exams](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/advanced-placement-ap) - [PSAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/psat-info-and-strategies) - [TOEFL](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/toefl) - [GPA and Coursework](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/coursework-gpa) # [Why Do I Have Wavy Tongue Edges?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/wavy-tongue-edges-cause) ![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/author_hannah.png) Posted by [Hannah Muniz](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/hannah-muniz) | Updated on August 8, 2024 [Health](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/health)   ![feature_cat_tongue](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/feature_cat_tongue.jpg?width=555&height=348&name=feature_cat_tongue.jpg) Does your tongue look wavier than other people's tongues? Do you notice little indentations around the edge of it? **A wavy tongue is generally a harmless medical condition.** But what exactly causes it? And can you get rid of it? In this article, we explain what a wavy tongue is, why it happens, and how you can fix it.   ## What Is a Wavy Tongue? First off, what exactly do we mean by a "wavy tongue"? **A wavy tongue refers to a tongue that has little waves, ripples, or indentations around the edge of it, right where it hits your teeth.** These indentations are caused by the tongue's pushing up against the teeth and therefore often look like teeth marks.   ![body_wavy_tongue-300x236](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/body_wavy_tongue-300x236.jpg?width=300&height=236&name=body_wavy_tongue-300x236.jpg) *[noricum](https://www.flickr.com/photos/noricum/101041488/in/photolist-9VS7C-fKJkJz-aSzjiK-S7CcaR-4pm3dx-VrSeZw-6bYjze-9unxy-rEtGDj-n58DKs-4rQUFd-8mMJij-4fzX8d-qVQTbb-dq9sZu-79bGJF-g65ze-8aLQL7-66Euca-bwAPok-4iQe6Y-W3c8cn-tHoxXe-HPf6k7-Tz32Bx-8dEHWV-8V9dFn-XG8gXJ-W83E9D-Gs3sfF-qp1QV3-Voh2RN-ouAFcX-G7iZYk-T1GChB-paKHG2-XQcxx4-9K38tf-bPKZci-dVxbgb-cuCFbq-avWdYt-De5Wu-pWQuoY-RSsLhd-cHCcfS-fmPtQj-oxDS7P-791XzE-qzHKgN)/Flickr*   [There are many names for a wavy tongue](https://www.healcure.org/tongue/tongue-problems/scalloped-tongue-causes-pictures-hyperthyroid-diagnosis-treatment/), including crenated tongue, crenulated tongue, scalloped tongue, lingua indentata, and pie crust tongue (since the ripples can look like the edge of a pie crust). **In general, there is no pain associated with this condition,** though the lining of your mouth (where your tongue touches) or your tongue itself might turn red and become more sensitive due to friction. **Wavy tongue edges are typically harmless** but can indicate an underlying medical condition. Therefore, if you think you have a wavy or swollen tongue, it's best to schedule a visit with your doctor.   ## What Causes a Wavy Tongue? Many underlying medical conditions can cause wavy tongue edges. **One of the most common causes of a wavy tongue is [a swollen tongue, or glossitis.](https://www.healthline.com/health/scalloped-tongue#overview1)** The swelling causes your tongue to get bigger and push against your teeth (thereby producing the ripple effect). Many things—some more harmless than others—can contribute to tongue swelling. Common causes include allergies, medication side effects, direct injury to the tongue, and [parafunctional habits](https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/professional-education/ce-courses/ce507/parafunctional-habits) ([e.g.](https://blog.prepscholar.com/ie-vs-eg-vs-ex-definition), teeth clenching, tongue thrusting, etc.). **A wavy or swollen tongue can also be a symptom of the following medical conditions:** - Dehydration - Anxiety - Sleep apnea - [Hypothyroidism](https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/low-thyroid-symptoms) - [Amyloidosis](https://www.webmd.com/cancer/lymphoma/amyloidosis-symptoms-causes-treatments#1) - [Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ, TMD)](https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/temporomandibular-disorders-tmd) - Genetic conditions, including [Down syndrome](https://www.webmd.com/children/understanding-down-syndrome-basics#1) and [Apert syndrome](https://www.webmd.com/children/apert-syndrome-symptoms-treatments-prognosis#1)   ## Can You Fix a Wavy Tongue? A wavy tongue is a symptom of a medical condition and *not* a condition itself. Therefore, **to fix a wavy tongue, you must first treat the underlying medical condition that's causing you to have a wavy tongue.** To figure out what's causing the condition, **make an appointment to see your doctor.** Before you go, though, take note of any additional symptoms you might have as well as when you first noticed your wavy tongue edges. Treatment depends on what's causing your wavy tongue. For example, if the cause is allergies, you'll most likely need to take allergy medications to get your allergies under control. If, on the other hand, the cause is a genetic condition, [you might have to have surgery to correct tongue swelling](https://www.healthline.com/health/scalloped-tongue#treatment6). Ultimately, if you think you have a wavy tongue but aren't sure what's causing it, it's best to talk with your doctor to get a diagnosis and find an appropriate treatment path that'll work for you.   ### Trending Now [How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-harvard-and-the-ivy-league-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-4-0-gpa-and-get-better-grades-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Write an Amazing College Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-write-a-college-essay) [Should You Take the SAT or ACT?](https://quiz.prepscholar.com/sat-vs-act) [What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-do-colleges-look-for) [ACT vs. SAT: 10 Key Differences](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-vs-sat) [Calculate Your College Chances](https://mycollegechances.prepscholar.com/) Get Your Free **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** eBook [5 Tips to Raise Your SAT Score 160+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/sat-5-tips-ebook/) [5 Tips to Raise Your ACT Score 4+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/act-5-tips-ebook/) ### SAT Prep [Find Your Target SAT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-sat-score-a-bad-sat-score-an-excellent-sat-score) [Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-sat-practice-tests-free-links) ### **[How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-sat-score-by-a-2400-sat-scorer)** [Score 800 on SAT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-math-by-a-perfect-scorer) [Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-reading-and-writing) [Raise Your SAT Score by 160+ Points GUARANTEED. 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From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. ## Ask a Question Below Have any questions about this article or other topics? 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We explain what wavy tongue edges can signal and whether you should be concerned.", "headline" : "Why Do I Have Wavy Tongue Edges?", "image" : "https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/feature_cat_tongue.jpg", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/wavy-tongue-edges-cause", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png" }, "name" : "PrepScholar" } } ```