Tongue Ulcers

Mouth ulcers are open sores inside the mouth. Usually, cheeks, tongue, gums and palate are found to develop these open sores, but, in some cases, the lips and the skin surrounding them, may also get affected. Mouth ulcers can be of varying sizes and the small ones (2 to 8 mm in diameter) are the most common types. Some types of mouth ulcers (herpetiform ulcers) appear in clusters. There are two main types of mouth ulcers - canker sores (aphthous ulcers) and cold sores. While canker sores can be caused by various reasons, cold sores are caused by virus. Cold sores are mainly found on the lips, cheeks and gums. Canker sores are the more common and frequent form of mouth ulcer. These sores may develop anywhere inside the mouth, like the cheeks, gums, tongue, palate, etc. Canker sores or aphthous ulcers are the most commonly found tongue ulcers. However, ulcers on tongue may develop due to various other reasons too. Scroll down to know more about the causes of tongue ulcers.

What Causes Tongue Ulcers?

So, canker sores constitute the most common form of tongue ulcer. This type of oral lesions are white to yellowish in color with red border and have round to oval shape. They are painful and may appear in varying sizes or in clusters. The following are some of the causes of these ulcers.

• Food allergies
• Lack of oral hygiene
• Lack of sufficient sleep
• Deficiency of B vitamins, zinc and iron
• Sudden weight loss
• Hormonal changes
• Use of certain medications
• Stress/Use of citrus fruits
• Physical trauma (like accidental biting or toothbrush abrasions)
• Medical conditions like Crohn's disease

Those who chew tobacco regularly are more prone to develop ulcers on tongue. Even smoking, excess alcohol consumption, excess intake of tea and coffee, spicy food, etc., are said to cause mouth ulcers. Use of toothpaste and mouthwash with harsh chemicals may also cause tongue ulcers. Acidity is also linked to occurrence of these ulcers.

Apart from canker sores, tongue ulcers can be caused by other conditions. This include oral thrush, which is characterized by yellowish white patches that may sometimes transform to open sores or ulcers. Another possible cause of tongue ulcers is gingivostomatitis, which can be described as a combination of both gingivitis and stomatitis. In this case, the gums as well as the mucous membranes of the mouth get inflamed, leading to sores inside the mouth, including the tongue and palate. Reinfection of herpes labialis or orolabial herpes (that cause cold sores) is called herpes simplex. Such reinfections can cause ulcers on the tongue, roof of mouth and gums. Oral lichen planus can also cause ulcers inside the mouth, including the tongue. The condition is characterized by red patches and open sores. Another cause for ulcers on tongue oral cancer. The condition is mostly found to develop in the tongue and floor of the mouth. This type of cancer may initially appear as a sore, a white patch or a small lump.

Tongue Ulcers - Symptoms and Treatment

The symptoms and mode of treatment of tongue ulcers may vary with the underlying cause.

1. In general, tongue ulcers may be accompanied with pain, burning sensation and inflammation.
2. People with this condition may also have ulcers in other parts of the mouth. They may find it difficult to talk or swallow food.
3. Sometimes, sore throat and bleeding may also occur, along with tongue ulcers.
4. In case of certain infections, the affected person may have additional symptoms like skin rash, headache, body ache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and diarrhea.
5. Immediate medical attention must be sought, if there is high fever, breathing trouble and sudden swelling of the throat and tongue.

There are numerous home remedies for tongue ulcers. This include, honey, butter, glycerin, coconut oil, etc. These are to be applied topically. Gargling with salt water is also said to be useful for healing ulcers on tongue. Some people resort to vitamin supplements (especially, B vitamins) for this purpose. It is said that avoidance of spicy food, alcohol, smoking, tea and coffee and hot foodstuff, may prove beneficial for healing tongue ulcers. Include yogurt in your diet and drink lots of water.

As mentioned earlier, tongue ulcer treatment may vary with the underlying cause. In most cases, these ulcers are caused by simple reasons like tooth abrasion or intake of hot food or use of medication. In such cases, the condition may subside within a few days. However, underlying cause, like infections, vitamin deficiency, etc., require medical intervention. You must consult your doctor, if these ulcers are persistent or recurrent in nature. Those with severe and additional symptoms must also be checked.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.