What Helps a Tongue Ulcer? What Causes a Tongue Ulcer?

Damage that develops on the moist inner surface of the mouth can lead to deterioration of oral health. One of the most important structures located in the mouth, where these damages frequently occur, is the tongue. Although tongue ulcers are usually small, they can reach several centimeters in width. These ulcers are typically observed in gray, yellow, and white colors. Tongue ulcers can negatively affect a person's ability to eat, drink, speak, and maintain oral hygiene. Therefore, it is essential to prevent their occurrence or treat them. Identifying the cause of these ulcers, which can be indicative of many diseases, is extremely important.

What Are the Symptoms of a Tongue Ulcer?

The tongue is a powerful muscle that aids in chewing and swallowing food. Health problems related to the tongue can complicate these functions, but most tongue issues are not serious. Tongue ulcers are a common health problem that nearly everyone faces at some point in their lives. Oral mucosal lesions can affect not only the tongue but also the lips, cheeks, and gums, encompassing the entire mouth. Tongue ulcers are also known as thrush, canker sores, or tongue ulcers. The symptoms of tongue ulcers can be listed as follows:

One or more painful sores in a specific area of the oral mucosa.
Red mucosa showing swelling around the sores.
Problems during chewing and brushing due to increased sensitivity.
Irritation of the affected areas by hot, cold, salty, spicy, and sour foods and beverages.

These symptoms usually indicate harmless lesions that resolve within a few weeks. It is recommended to seek professional advice if the following symptoms are observed:

In some cases, these lesions may not be painful; prolonged presence of these lesions may indicate oral cancer.
Mouth sores lasting three weeks or longer may have arisen due to an abnormal health condition.
If new lesions appear before old ones heal, it is advised to consult health institutions.
If the lesions are located near the back of the throat, are bleeding, or are becoming more painful, they could be indicative of serious infections.
If pain cannot be alleviated with medication, if lesions develop unusually large, or if fever accompanies the lesions, it is recommended to seek professional support.

What Causes Tongue Ulcers?

Tongue ulcers, which develop in cases of loss or erosion of the oral mucosa, can arise from various causes. Factors such as poor oral hygiene, allergic conditions, infectious diseases, and stress can lead to tongue ulcers. The cause of tongue ulcers is often undetermined. Common causes of tongue ulcers include:

Viral diseases such as herpes virus, chickenpox, and hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Deficiencies in vitamin B12, folic acid, zinc, and iron.
Celiac disease, where the patient reacts negatively to gluten.
Crohn's disease, which causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Reactive arthritis, which causes inflammation in various parts of the body in response to infections.
Weakening of the immune system due to diseases like HIV or lupus.
Behçet's disease, which causes swelling of blood vessels.
Stress and anxiety.
Irritation caused by hot foods and beverages.
Autoimmune diseases.
Hormonal changes, such as during menstruation and pregnancy.
Excessive consumption of acidic foods like oranges.
Use of braces or retainers.
Use of hard or abrasive toothpaste and toothbrushes.
Food sensitivities and allergic reactions.
Exposure to the fungus Candida albicans.
Use of certain groups of medications.
Poorly fitting dentures.
Sleep disorders.
Accidental biting of the tongue or cheek.

What Is Good for Tongue Ulcers?

Tongue ulcers are mostly harmless and can resolve on their own within 10-14 days. Tongue ulcers that develop due to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, skin rashes, or other diseases may require topical treatments such as mouth rinses, ointments, or gels. These medications should be prescribed by a medical professional and used at the recommended doses and durations.

Medications work by alleviating excessive redness, pus discharge, fever, pain, and infection. Topical anesthetics, mouth rinses containing hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine, corticosteroid ointments, and antibiotics can be included among the medications that can be used for treatment.

Controlling symptoms that may negatively affect the healing process of tongue ulcers can also be considered part of the treatment. Until the lesions heal, consumption of spicy, salty, sour, very hot, or very cold foods and beverages should be avoided. The use of antiseptic gels and mouth rinses may be recommended to maintain oral hygiene. Drinking plenty of fluids and adopting balanced eating habits can also be beneficial.

For treating tongue ulcers caused by nutritional deficiencies, expert advice is needed. Supplementing the vitamins and minerals that are deficient, as advised by a doctor, can be beneficial in resolving tongue ulcers.

How to Prevent Tongue Ulcers?

Ensuring the treatment of tongue ulcers and preventing their recurrence positively affects a person's quality of life. There are many measures that can be taken to prevent tongue ulcers. Some precautions that can be taken to prevent tongue ulcers and other oral diseases can be briefly mentioned as follows:

Maintaining hygiene for optimal oral health and brushing teeth twice a day.
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent irritation of the tongue, gums, and cheek tissues.
Creating a nutrition program that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, ensuring the intake of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and proteins in the amounts needed by the body.
Regular dental check-ups.
Avoiding excessive consumption of acidic, salty, and spicy foods.
Consulting a health professional about nutritional deficiencies.
Utilizing stress-reduction techniques such as meditation and exercise.
Limiting the consumption of certain foods that can cause tongue ulcers.
Using supplements to address deficiencies in zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin C, folic acid, and iron.
Developing a habit of using mouthwash or antimicrobial mouth rinses.
Identifying and treating underlying medical conditions that cause tongue ulcers is recommended.

What Are Natural Remedies for Tongue Ulcers?

People with tongue ulcers often seek natural treatment methods for this condition. Some natural remedies that may be beneficial for tongue ulcers include:

Gargling with saline solution at regular intervals to benefit from its antiseptic properties.
Blackberry is a plant used for treating oral lesions and has antifungal effects.
The St. John's wort plant, which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, can be used as a mouth rinse to aid in healing.
Lauric acid found in coconut oil provides anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial effects; it can be used as a mouth rinse.
Aromatherapeutic essential oils used as mouth rinses, such as tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and clove oil, can be beneficial for oral wounds; these oils provide protective effects against harmful bacteria in oral lesions and inflammations.

In some cases, tongue ulcers may appear as symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, if there are recurring or persistent lesions, it is essential to identify the underlying cause. It is advised to consult a physician for the identification of the disease agent, its resolution, and determining the most suitable treatment method for you.

Last Updated Date: 09 February 2024

Publication Date: 09 February 2024

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What Helps a Tongue Ulcer? What Causes a Tongue Ulcer?

What Are the Symptoms of a Tongue Ulcer?

What Causes Tongue Ulcers?

What Is Good for Tongue Ulcers?

How to Prevent Tongue Ulcers?

What Are Natural Remedies for Tongue Ulcers?

MD. Eylem Emel Arıkan

MD. Mehmet Coşkun Acay

MD. Merve Genç

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MD. Mehmet Coşkun Acay

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