Lifestyle Intervention Based on the 8S Model in a Patient with Benign Migratory Glossitis: A Case Report

Abstract

Benign migratory glossitis (BMG) is widely regarded as a harmless anatomical variant, which historically accounts for the absence of a standardized management protocol. However, given that multiple associated factors have been described in the literature, a broader clinical assessment and an individualized management approach may be warranted in symptomatic cases. This case report describes the management of a 21-year-old female patient with BMG, who presented with multiple irregular, well-demarcated areas of papillary atrophy on the dorsal tongue. Initial assessment identified potentially relevant lifestyle factors, including inadequate nutrition, physical inactivity, and suboptimal stress management. Further clinical evaluation revealed protein-energy malnutrition, intestinal parasitosis, vitamin D deficiency, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Although these findings suggest a potential oro-gastrointestinal dysbiosis, causal relationships cannot be definitively established. A comprehensive, personalized therapeutic plan was implemented, based on the principles of Lifestyle Medicine and the 8S framework. Over the follow-up period, the patient exhibited progressive clinical improvement, along with a marked reduction in depapillated areas. While the simultaneous application of multiple lifestyle modifications precludes the isolation of individual therapeutic effects, this single case suggests that BMG may be associated with broader systemic findings in certain individuals. The 8S model offers a supportive framework for addressing underlying chronic inflammatory conditions, highlighting the potential value of integrative diagnostic approaches in oral medicine.