Why sores on tongue

Often, mouth sores are not a sign of a serious condition. They may be canker sores, cold sores, or the result of a minor injury. In some cases, severe, recurring, or persistent mouth sores can be a symptom of an underlying condition. This article discusses possible symptoms of sores on the side of the tongue. It also looks at the common causes, treatments, and remedies for tongue sores, as well as when to speak to a doctor. Sores on the side of the tongue can look and feel different depending on what is causing them.

They may be:. Sores on the side of the tongue can also occur alongside other symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty chewing or swallowing. Minor conditions are responsible for most mouth sores, but sores on the side of the tongue can be a sign of an underlying condition that may require medical attention.

Canker sores, or mouth ulcers, are small harmless sores that can appear on the tongue. The symptoms of canker sores include:. Canker sores tend to heal on their own in 7—10 days. They are not contagious.

Hormonal changes, such as those that take place during pregnancy, and genetics can also make canker sores more likely for some people. Those with chronic conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease IBS and celiac disease , may also experience them. There is no permanent cure for canker sores. Often, they heal on their own without medical treatment.

However, there are ways to relieve the symptoms. People can obtain over-the-counter OTC pain medication, such as acetaminophen Tylenol , from a pharmacist. There are also topical products for canker sores that people apply inside the mouth to numb the pain. Frequent canker sores may indicate an underlying condition, such as a vitamin deficiency, which may require medical attention.

Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that occur due to an infection with the herpes simplex virus HSV. They typically appear around the mouth but sometimes develop on the tongue.

Ice has numbing qualities, so drinking ice-cold water or sucking on an ice cube or ice pop can help relieve some tongue soreness, including soreness caused by dry mouth, or a burning mouth. You can also visit your local drugstore for OTC topical treatments that work by coating the tongue and protecting it from further irritation.

If your tongue soreness is caused by a vitamin deficiency , consider taking a multivitamin or a vitamin B complex supplement. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements.

Spicy and acidic foods like pineapple, lemon, and tomato can worsen tongue soreness. Until the soreness goes away, avoid these foods. Instead, eat soft, bland foods, like mashed potatoes and oatmeal. Though home remedies might help reduce tongue soreness, infections and inflammatory conditions, as well as chronic illnesses like cancer, will most likely require medical treatment. Bacterial infections, like syphilis , can lead to mouth sores.

Your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection. Make sure to take the full course of antibiotics, even if you start feeling better. Antifungals, like fulcanazole Diflucan and clotrimazole Mycelex Troche are prescribed to treat oral thrush. A prescription mouthwash or antimicrobial mouth rinse can help prevent infections as a sore tongue heals.

A doctor might prescribe a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation caused by mouth sores or by another inflammatory condition, like lichen planus. You might need a prescription vitamin supplement, like a B shot, folate, or iron to help treat a vitamin deficiency.

Treatment for oral cancer usually consists of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. If you notice changes in your tongue like changes in color, bumps, or sores , that last for more than two weeks, visit a doctor or dentist. You should see a doctor sooner if you have the following symptoms alongside a sore tongue:. A doctor can find out if your tongue soreness is caused by an underlying condition, or if you simply need to make some changes to your oral hygiene routine.

They can also test to rule out less-common causes of tongue soreness, like burning mouth syndrome and oral cancer. If you need help finding a primary care doctor or dentist, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. In the meantime, you can try a few home remedies to ease the pain as you heal.

Home remedies can also help with the symptoms of more serious medical conditions, like oral thrush and vitamin deficiencies, as part of the medical treatment plan recommended by a doctor. Herpetiform canker sores are uncommon and usually develop later in life, but they're not caused by herpes virus infection. These canker sores:.

See your dentist if you have sharp tooth surfaces or dental appliances that seem to trigger the sores. The precise cause of canker sores remains unclear, though researchers suspect that a combination of factors contributes to outbreaks, even in the same person. Anyone can develop canker sores.

But they occur more often in teens and young adults, and they're more common in females. Often people with recurrent canker sores have a family history of the disorder. This may be due to heredity or to a shared factor in the environment, such as certain foods or allergens. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Canker sore Open pop-up dialog box Close. Mouth sores are lesions that can appear on any of the soft tissues of the mouth, including the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, and floor and roof of the….

Symptoms include a small white or yellow oval-shaped ulcer, and a painful or tingling area in the mouth. Ulcers may…. Macroglossia is usually caused by an underlying condition, or it could be present at birth without an underlying cause.

It should be treated by a…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. Here are some of the most common causes, as well as when you should head to the doctor. Mouth ulcers. Food sensitivity or allergy. Less common causes. Vitamin deficiency and anemia.

Burning mouth syndrome. Lichen planus. Certain medications. Pemphigus vulgaris. Oral cancer. When to see your doctor. Read this next. Tongue Problems. Medically reviewed by University of Illinois. What Are the Bumps on My Tongue?

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