Your tongue is a powerful muscle that helps you chew and swallow food. Any issue with the tongue like a sore tongue cannot be ignored because it impacts chewing and swallowing food as well as your speech. An injury, mouth ulcers, or consumption of hot food can result in a sore tongue.
Normally, the condition subsides without any treatment. If it continues for a longer period and there is a change in the colour of your tongue, you should consult a doctor.
What Causes a Sore Tongue?
Biting your tongue, eating something very hot, grinding the teeth, etc. can cause a sore tongue. Besides this, there are several other causes for a sore tongue. Let’s have a look at them:
1. Oral Thrush
Candida, a fungus grows in the mouth, throat, and digestive tract. If the growth is not controlled, Candida causes fungal infection which leads to oral thrush. Oral thrush causes pain, redness, loss of taste, and discoloration of your tongue. White patches may also appear on your tongue. Older adults, especially those who wear dentures, infants, individuals with a weak immune system, smokers, asthmatic patients who use steroid inhalers, etc. are more prone to sore tongue due to oral thrush.
2. Food Allergies
When you eat certain varieties of raw fruits, vegetables, or tree nuts, your tongue might hurt. It means you are allergic to these foods. You may also experience swelling of your mouth, lips, and tongue as well as throat irritation when you eat these foods.
3. Undernutrition
If you are not getting the required levels of Vitamin B12, folate, zinc, and iron from your diet, you may end up with a sore tongue. You should tweak your diet and include foods rich in these nutrients or consult a doctor for supplements and if needed, vitamin injections.
4. Canker Sores
Canker sores, medically known as aphthous ulcers, appear inside the lips or cheeks and under the tongue. These sores appear as small, round white spots with a red border. Emotional or physical stress, consuming acidic or spicy foods, or hormonal changes can cause canker sores. If canker sores occur frequently, you should seek medical attention.
5. Cold Sores
Cold sores are entirely different from canker sores. Cold sores are caused by the fungus herpes simplex. It normally appears on the outside of the mouth but can cause a sore tongue as well. You will have pain, burning, and tingling sensations when you have a cold sore.
Sore Tongue Treatment
Various treatments are administered depending on the underlying cause of the sore tongue. Some of the sore tongue treatment medicines are:
- If the sore tongue is due to oral yeast infection you will be suggested antifungals such as
Clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche) and Fluconazole (Diflucan).
- For sore tongue due to bacterial infections like syphilis, the sore tongue treatment will be a full course of antibiotics.
- You can prevent a sore tongue with an antimicrobial mouthwash or prescription mouthwash.
- Gels for topical application can help by numbing the area of soreness. This is available over the counter but if you need stronger gels, you may need a prescription.
- If the sore tongue is due to dryness in the mouth, medicines will be prescribed to increase the production of saliva.
- Nutrient deficiency can also cause a sore tongue. In this case, you will be given oral supplements or vitamin injections in some cases.
Home Remedies for Sore Tongue
A sore tongue is normally not a concern. Causes of the sore tongue like canker sores, mouth injuries, etc. can be treated at home. Some home remedies for sore tongue are:
- Brushing your teeth with a soft brush, flossing, and using a mouthwash can, to a great extent, help sore tongue and prevent infections as well.
- Rinse your mouth with aloe vera Juice or apply aloe vera gel on the tongue to soothe the pain.
- Either rinse your mouth with warm water and baking soda or make a paste with baking soda and water and apply it on the affected area (1 tsp baking soda with half a cup water).
Conclusion
A sore tongue can be caused due to various reasons, including mouth injury or having a hot drink or food. Treatments are administered depending on the cause behind sore tongue. However, causes like canker sores and mouth injury can be treated with home remedies for sore tongue. If the pain lasts for more than 3 weeks, you should consult a doctor.
