A canker sore on the tongue is a condition you can’t ,ignore, as it hurts a lot while eating, drinking,, and speaking. Various conditions can cause a sore tongue with pain and burning. Pain over the tongue is termed as ‘glossodynia,’ and inflammation can be found on the back and sides of the tongue or maybe, throughout the tongue.
Several causes can lead to tongue soreness, including dry mouth, dehydration, intestinal disorders, chronic diseases, thrush, fever, inflammatory bowel disease, and emotional and hormonal changes. There are some foods that can cause allergies and thus can cause canker sores on the tongue, and these include oranges, strawberries, chocolate, eggs, nuts, cheese, and coffee. These foods are rich in acid and should be consumed in limited amounts. Inflammation on the tongue can damage the taste buds and the tiny sensors on the tongue.
Why Is Your Tongue Sore or Burning?
A sore or burning tongue can have many causes. Knowing the likely reason helps you pick the right fix. Here are the common ones.
| Cause | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Injury | Biting the tongue, hot food, or a sharp tooth can leave it sore |
| Canker sores or ulcers | Small painful spots that come and go on their own |
| Vitamin or iron deficiency | Low B12, iron, folate, or zinc can make the tongue red and burn |
| Dry mouth | Less saliva leaves the tongue dry, raw, and burning |
| Oral thrush | A yeast infection with white patches and soreness |
| Acidic or spicy foods | Citrus, pineapple, and hot food can irritate the tongue |
| Burning mouth syndrome | A burning feeling with no clear cause, more common after menopause |
Home Remedies for Sore Tongue
Glycerin
Glycerin can be used to treat sore tongue. It should be applied on the affected area of the tongue. Its application not only helps relieve lesion, but also alleviates pain. It also keeps the area moist, so the sore does not dry out and crack. Dab a little with a clean finger or a cotton swab, two to three times a day.
Butter
Application of butter on the affected part of tongue provide a soothing relief. The soft fat coats the sore and eases the burning for a while. Use fresh, unsalted butter, since salt can sting.
Honey
You can prepare a concoction of honey with some roots and leaves of peepal tree. Make a paste by grinding them together and apply on the affected part of the tongue. Plain raw honey works well on its own too. It is soothing and has natural antibacterial action, so it can calm the sore and help it heal.
Gargle
Gargling with warm salt water helps clean the mouth and speed up the healing of canker sores. Do this four to five times a day while the sore is present. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Swish for about 30 seconds and then spit it out. Do not swallow it.
Papaya
If you regularly have a a sore tongue, eat papaya daily, as it helps keep ssores away. Apples and bananas are also known to help prevent sores. These soft fruits are gentle on a sore tongue and add vitamins that support healing. Eat them ripe and at room temperature, not cold from the fridge.
Curd
Including curd in your diet helps provide the vitamins you need; it can help relieve and cure the burning sensation. Curd also adds good bacteria that support a healthy mouth. Its cool, soft texture is easy to eat when the tongue hurts.
Vitamin C
Foods rich in Vitamin C such as broccoli, muskmelon, yellow and red bell peppers and cranberry juice help relieve sores. Oranges are also known to relieve sores, so include these foods daily in your diet. Vitamin C helps the body repair tissue, so it can speed up healing. If citrus stings the sore, get your vitamin C from milder foods like bell peppers instead.
Turmeric Milk
One of the best home remedies for a sore is to drink a glass of warm milk with half a teaspoon of turmeric twice a day. This remedy can help cure a sore faster because it provides nutrients that support healing. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that can calm the soreness. Keep the milk warm, not hot, so it doesn’t further irritate the tongue.
Alum
Heat a piece of alum in a frying pan to dehydrate it, then crush it into a powder. Mix the powder with some honey and apply the paste to the affected area. Alum is an astringent, so it may sting for a moment. Use a small amount, and rinse your mouth after a few minutes.
Teabag
To reduce pain from the sore, place a wet teabag on the affected part of the tongue. A cooled black tea bag works best. The tannins in it help reduce pain and swelling. Leave it on for a few minutes.
Precautions
While you have a sore tongue, avoid foods that may aggravate the discomfort. Avoid all types of acidic foods like pineapple, and avoid toothpaste if it is causing discomfort and change the brand to something mild. A sharp or broken tooth might also cause discomfort, visit a dentist to get yourself checked. Along with these, you must avoid beverages, alcohol, and smoking to avoid the problem of sores happening again and again.
How to Soothe a Burning Tongue
If the main feeling is burning, these simple steps can calm it down:
- Suck on ice chips or sip cool water through the day.
- Eat soft, bland, cool foods like yogurt, curd, and banana.
- Skip spicy, salty, acidic, and very hot food.
- Cut out alcohol, tobacco, and strong mouthwash.
- Switch to a mild toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
A burning tongue that lasts with no clear cause may be burning mouth syndrome. It is often linked to low B12, iron, or zinc, to dry mouth, or to hormone changes. If the burning or soreness lasts more than two weeks, or you see white patches, a lump, or bleeding, see a doctor or dentist. You can read more at the Cleveland Clinic.
Sore Tongue FAQs
What causes a sore tongue?
Common causes are injury from biting or hot food, canker sores, dry mouth, oral thrush, and low levels of B12, iron, or zinc. Acidic and spicy foods can make it worse.
How do you heal a sore tongue fast?
Rinse with warm salt water a few times a day, eat soft and cool foods, and avoid spicy, acidic, and hot items. Ice chips and a wet teabag can ease the pain while it heals.
Why does my tongue feel like it is burning?
A burning tongue often comes from dry mouth, low vitamins or iron, thrush, or acid reflux. When there is no clear cause, it may be burning mouth syndrome, which is more common after menopause.
What can you put on a sore tongue?
You can use glycerin, honey, or a cooled, wet teabag on the spot. A salt water rinse cleans the area. Over-the-counter numbing gels can help, but ask a pharmacist first.
How long does a sore tongue take to heal?
Most sore tongues from minor causes settle in about one to two weeks. If it lasts longer than two weeks, do not ignore it.
When should you see a doctor for a sore tongue?
See a doctor or dentist if the soreness lasts more than two weeks, or comes with white patches, a lump, bleeding, or trouble swallowing. These need a proper check.
1 Comment
I will try