Tongue Sores (Sore Tongue)
Sores on Tongue
One of the most sensitive organs of the human body is the Tongue which helps us to taste food, crush it efficiently and also to swallow easily aiding in digestion. Apart from these, it helps the human beings to speak impromptu. Any problem related with tongue can be very irritating. One of the most commonly noticed tongue problems is the development of sores on tongue. These tongue sores cause great discomfort specially while speaking, eating and drinking.
The white sores on tongue are usually noticed within a few days or about a week of an infection. The patient experiences a burning sensation or inflammation over the tongue’s skin. This leads to fever and loss of appetite as well. These sores develop internally affecting the throat and tongue. These are either red or white in color and bumpy shaped, thus leading to much difficulty for the patient to eat, chew, drink and swallow. The burning sensation or pain causes continuous inflammation or intermittent pain when the whole of mouth is affected. However, the severity of the condition depends on the sensitivity of skin of tongue and mouth.
Usually the painful sores found on tongue are red in color and in some cases, these are found to be yellow and even darker colors. The dark-colored ulcers look similar to lesions on the walls and roof of the mouth. Since, the tongue is a very sensitive part of the body, it is vulnerable to teeth contact, infection and bite which can lead to the development of these lesions commonly termed as tongue sores.
Causes of Tongue Sores
Tongue sores causes can differ widely depending on the individual’s lifestyle and the conditions he is exposed to. Some of the commonly known causes of tongue sores are as follows:
- Smoking
- Chewing of tobacco
- Bacteria growing on tongue
- Deficiency of Iron
- Deficiency of Vitamin 12. This turns the color of tongue to yellow.
- Bismuth consumed to deal with stomach disorders.
- Oral Sex
- Constipation
- Chewing of gums
- Thrush candidiasis, a fungal infection.
- Scraping of tongue, usually when brushing the teeth
- Viral infection
- Excessive intake of sugar
- Allergic reactions
- Tuberculosis
- Canker sores
- Acidic juice
- Excessive eating of fatty foods, especially butter
- Weak immune system
Sore Tongue Symptoms
Even though tongue sores are quite obvious without the need of other symptoms, still some signs are usually noticed along with tongue sores. Some of those are given below:
- Loss of taste
- Excessive thirst
- Sore and dry mouth
- Burning sensation noticed in mouth, lips, gums, plate and tongue.
- Bitter and somewhat metallic taste in mouth.
Tongue Sores Treatment
Mild tongue sores get healed by themselves in a few days and do not require medical treatment. Medical intervention is needed only if the sores are quite large and more painful and disturbing, like a sore on the side of tongue. Some of the various medications usually prescribed for treating tongue sores are as follows:
- Corticosteroid preparations containing triamcinolone acetonide or hydrocortisone. These preparations help in reducing the pain and signs associated with tongue sores.
- For multiple ulcers, anti-viral medications are prescribed.
- Tetracycline suspension liquid. However, this is not usually prescribed for children as it can lead to permanent teeth discoloration.
- Debacterol also showed promising results in curing sores on tongue by relieving pain in less time. It is a topical sulphuric acid/phenolics solution.
- Dephenhydramine or Benadryl in combination with milk of magnesia is also advised for oral rinsing.
- Aphthasol can prevent secretion of leukotrienes and histamine from the activated mast cells of tongue sores. This way the severity of ulceration can be reduced.
- Corticosteroids like Prednisone are also used for treating severe oral ulcers. However, these have been reported to have some serious side-effects.
Sore Tongue Remedy
Since the sores on tongue heal by themselves and do not require medications unless severe, various remedies prove handy for reducing the pain and symptoms associated with the condition. Some of the proven sore tongue remedies are as follows:
- Dehydrate alum by frying it and then powder it. Mix the powder with honey and apply on the sores.
- Mix half teaspoon of turmeric with a cup of warm milk. This mixture should be applied to the tongue sore atleast twice daily.
- Wet tea bag place on the sores helps in relieving pain.
- Foods rich in Vitamin C like red bell, broccoli, oranges, Indian gooseberry, muskmelon, cranberries and yellow peppers should be taken in plenty.
- Fresh yogurt should be included in the daily diet as this reduces the burning sensation of tongue sores.
- Sucking an ice cube at regular intervals of time.
- Including multivitamins and mineral supplements as part of daily diet.
- Using a soft toothbrush.
- Applying glycerin provides a cool sensation.
- Boiled vegetables should be preferred rather than spicy foods
- Herbal teas, especially chamomile teas.
- Beans, lentils and peas are rich folate sources.
- Foods rich in iron and Vitamin B like tofu, fortified cereals and lean beef.
- Sugar-free chewing gums can also help in treating tongue sores as these provide temporary relief from the burning sensation and pain.
- Another good antiseptic that can be used to treat cold sore on tongue is Lavender oil. This can be left overnight after applying.
Canker Sores on Tongue
Canker sores are the tiny and shallow ulcers that appear on the mouth. These ulcers cause difficulty in eating and talking. Usually, 1.5” in diameter, the canker sores have a red rim and are covered with a yellow-grey membrane. These can appear on the lips, inside of cheeks, tongue and base of gums.
Canker sores, though unappealing to look at, are not contagious. Treating these canker sores is not always necessary as the mild sores disappear on their own after a few days even if no treatment is carried out. The pain experienced due to these canker sores also disappears on its own in a few days only.
Canker Sore on Tongue Picture
Picture 1 : Image of canker sore on tongue
Picture 2 : Tongue Sore
Image source : Mayo Foundation Inc
Causes of Canker Sores on Tongue
It is difficult to point to a certain cause that lead to canker sores on tongue. However, some of the common causes are as follows:
- Viral infection
- Tongue injury
- Scraping due to toothpicks and toothbrushes
- Accidental biting of tongue
- Excessive intake of spicy and salty foods
- Hormonal changes
- Hereditary reasons
Canker Tongue Sores Treatment
The treatment of tongue sores is not much complicated and few preventive measures too help in avoiding or quicker healing. Let’s have a look at the various methods on how to cure a canker sore on tongue:
- Over-the-counter drugs can be used to treat canker sores on tongue. For mild conditions, home remedies are also sufficient whereas for a little severe condition, various over-the-counter drugs can be considered to reduce the pain.
- Spicy, salty and hot food should be avoided as part of home remedies. These types of foods increase the burning sensation and pain in the sores. Cold foods should be preferred as much as possible. Soft foods too help as they are easy to chew and can help in quicker healing of canker sores on gums, tongue, lips and inner cheeks. Salty water can be used for mouth wash or gargling to treat canker sores on tonsils, gums and tongue.
- Toothpastes that contain sodium lauryl sulphate should be avoided as part of the initial steps to cure canker sores. Sodium lauryl sylphate is in fact a foaming agent that only aggravates the condition of canker sores and also leads to irritating skin.
- Hydrogen peroxide mixed with water in equal amounts should be applied to the sores on tongue directly. The milk of magnesia should be applied with a cotton swab. Repeat this process for 3-4 time per day to heal the sore tongue bumps.
- Using milk of magnesia along with benadryl liquid as mouth wash.
- Another cure for canker sores on tongue is the mixture of baking soda and salt in equal quantities. The diluted mixture of soda and salt should be applied to the canker tongue sores 4-5 times per day.
- Applying honey directly to the sores is also an effective tongue sores remedy.
- Chamomile herb is also used since ages to treat canker sores on tongue. It relieves the patient from pain due to these sores.
- Rock salt and lime mixed together form an effective remedy to heal canker sores.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mouth_ulcer
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/canker-sore/DS00354
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by on 25. Mar, 2011 in Diseases and Conditions
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