The Tongue in Down Syndrome

The lips and tongue in Down Syndrome may grow large and thick.
Cracked lips may result from chronic mouth breathing. Additionally, hypotonia (low muscle tone), may cause the mouth to droop and the lower lip to protrude. Increased drooling, compounded by a chronically open mouth, contributes to angular cheilitis (angular cheilitis is condition where there are deep cracks and splits at the corners of the mouth). The use of a good chapstick may help alleviate some of this dryness.

The tongue can also develop cracks and fissures with age; this condition can contribute to halitosis (bad breath).

*Sam already, at the tender age of (almost) four has cracks and fissures in his tongue. He has fallen and bitten holes in his tongue more times than I can remember. Hopefully now that he is older he won't do that so often. *Good tooth brushing and rinsing with an appropriate mouth wash can minimize the problem of bad breath. Before having your child use mouth wash ask your dentist.

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