Does geographic tongue usually persist for life or come and go?

Not serious: At worst it is an inconvenience because you may need to stay away from spicy and acidic foods until it settles down. The raised lesions will change shape and size but it is not serious, nor can you spread it to others. You will notice you will have good days and not so good days, but, will likely always be there and it will move around. It is usually a long term condition.

Geographic tongue: Geograhic tongue usually isn't a lifelong problem. You can help it by avoiding hot spicy foods and certain toothpastes that whiten teeth. Some cases can last a year.

Geographic Tonue: Geographic tongue can last for life, but it will come-and-go, or wax-and-wane. It is not contagious, there is really no known etiology, and there is no known tx. Overall, keep your tongue clean, by brushing it daily and you will be just fine!