Canker Sores on Tongue

Canker sores, also called as aphthous ulcers, in medical terms, is a condition in which ulcers develop on the tongue, inside cheeks, inner lips or under gums. Canker sores on tongue are not contagious but they are extremely painful. They are red in color and may have a white coating.

Causes of Canker Sores on Tongue
There are no particular known causes of canker sores on tongue. They may arise due to any of the following conditions:

• Injuries to the tongue due to objects like toothpicks, toothbrushes or biting.
• Viral infections
• Heredity
• Hormonal changes
• Spicy, salty foods

How to Treat a Canker Sore on Tongue?
Canker sore on tongue treatment involves treating canker sores on tongue with the help of certain over the counter medications as well as home remedies. Following is the list of canker sore on tongue remedies.

Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a very effective antiseptic against all forms of infections. Its application on the wound kills the germs and helps to treat canker sores on tongue. It is readily available at the pharmacy shop, but it has to be diluted by 50% before applying it. Apply it 3-4 times a day on the sores until they heal completely. Pouring a few drops of hydrogen peroxide on your toothbrush is a good way of preventing the cranker sores on tongue.

Benzocaine
Benzocaine is a main ingredient of almost all anesthetic mouth gels. It does not have any anti septic properties but only numbs the pain for some time. It is to be applied topically upon the canker sores on the tongue. Although, its effects begin to wear off after half an hour, it is not advisable to apply it every half an hour.

Salt and Baking Soda
Salt and baking soda are natural antiseptic substances. Take an equal amount of salt and baking soda and dilute in water. Apply this mixture on the canker sores on tongue at least 3-4 times a day. You can also use the solution to swish, until the sores heal completely.

Prescription Remedies
If the severity of canker sores on tongue in too much that the pain is unbearable, then it better to take prescription drugs to cure the problem. These mainly include steroid mouthwashes or stronger doses of benzocaine.

Quick Home Remedies for Canker Sores on Tongue

• Take three pills of acidophilus in a day.
• Crush one tablet of aspirin and apply it on the sore or let it dissolve on the sore.
• Dab a little honey on the canker sores on tongue.
• Use toothpaste without the ingredient called sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
• Applying a mixture of lime and rock salt also helps to cure canker sores on tongue.
• Amalgam fillings are one of the reasons for persistent canker sores on tongue. Hence, consult your dentists to replace it with a different material.
• Gargling with hydrogen peroxide also helps to reduce canker sores on tongue. More on canker sore home remedies and cure for canker sores

Canker sores on tongue are extremely painful and can make eating a traumatic task. Hence, if you have canker sores on tongue for long, it is recommended that you consult a physician.