What’s Causing My Sore Tongue?
A sore tongue can happen for various reasons, such as an injury, a mouth ulcer, or an underlying health condition. Some causes may need medical treatment.
Whether it’s the side, the tip, or the back of your tongue, a sore tongue can be hard to ignore. It can make it hard to speak or eat.
A sore tongue often resolves without treatment, but it can sometimes indicate a more serious issue, such as a vitamin deficiency, infection, or chronic condition.
Here, we look at some of the most common causes and when to see a doctor.
1. Trauma
1. Trauma
Surgery, cutting the tongue, biting it, grinding the teeth, or eating something hot or sharp can cause trauma to the tongue.
A severe injury may need medical attention, but minor trauma will heal in time without intervention.
Topical pain relief can help manage discomfort, especially when eating.
How do you take care of a cut or scrape in the mouth?
* Are you looking for Info & Tips? You can find it below *
(Vitamin6 healthinfo category)
2. Transient lingual papillitis
2. Transient lingual papillitis
Enlarged papillae sometimes appear on the tongue. These white or red bumps are sometimes called lie bumps or transient lingual papillitis.
These bumps are inflamed taste buds. The exact cause is unclear, but stress and hormonal changes may play a role.
They can be painful but usually resolve without treatment in a few days.
3. Oral thrush
3. Oral thrush
Oral thrush, also called candidiasis, is a type of fungal or yeast infection of the mouth or throat. It can cause pain, redness, a cotton-like feeling in the mouth, loss of taste, and white patches that look like cottage cheese.
Oral thrush is more common in:
infants less than 1 month of age
older adults
people who wear dentures
those with a weakened immune system
people who have recently taken antibiotics
those who use steroid inhalers to manage their asthma
people who smoke
A doctor may prescribe antifungal medications.
4. Other infections
4. Other infections
Other infections may also give you a sore tongue, such as:
hand, foot, and mouth disease
human papillomavirus (HPV)
syphilis
scarlet fever
Treatment options will depend on the cause. A bacterial infection, such as syphilis, will need antibiotics.
5. Mouth ulcers
5. Mouth ulcers
Pain that starts with a tingling feeling and is focused around a specific spot may be an ulcer or canker sore, also known as an aphthous ulcer.
These are whitish in appearance or sometimes red, yellow, or gray.
Canker sores can result from:
a minor trauma, such as biting the tongue
eating something hard or sharp
stress or anxiety
an allergy or sensitivity to a food or substances in oral hygiene products
some chronic conditions, such as celiac disease
Ulcers usually disappear after a week or two, but some may take weeks or months to heal.
Over-the-counter pain medications, such as gels, can often help ease the discomfort.
6. Food sensitivity or allergy
6. Food sensitivity or allergy
If certain foods make your tongue hurt, it may be a sign of oral allergy syndrome, also known as pollen-food syndrome. It mostly results from a sensitivity or allergy to substances in raw fruits, vegetables, and certain tree nuts.
Along with a sore tongue, you might experience:
an itchy mouth
a scratchy throat
swelling of your lips, mouth, or tongue
If your reaction is severe, a doctor may suggest you carry an epinephrine auto-injector.
7. Smoking
7. Smoking
Smoking can cause tongue pain by increasing the risk of mouth and throat cancer, gum disease, tooth damage, abrasions, and other issues.
Conversely, people who smoke appear to have a lower risk of aphthous ulcers. However, the risk of smoking far outweigh this benefit.
How do you quit smoking?
8. Nutrient deficiencies and anemia
8. Nutrient deficiencies and anemia
Low levels of the following nutrients can lead to a sore tongue:
vitamin B-12
iron
folate
zinc
Treatment involves eating a well-balanced diet, asking a doctor about supplements, and receiving vitamin injections, in some cases.
What are some common signs of nutritional deficiencies?
