In addition to the tongue, they can also be seen in other parts of the oral cavity such as under the tongue, inside the lip and inside the cheek. Tongue sores usually heal in one week to ten days, but sometimes it can take longer. Taking care of your mouth, avoiding irritating foods, and taking certain medications to relieve pain can help to relieve wounds and speed up the healing process. However, if the tongue sores are recurring or cause long-term pain, it is recommended that you consult a dentist or oral health professional.
What causes tongue sores?
Tongue sores usually occur alone and heal on their own within a few days. However, it is important to consult a dentist or oral health professional if the sores recur, are accompanied by prolonged pain or other symptoms. Your doctor will make the necessary evaluations to determine the cause of tongue sores and recommend appropriate treatment. There can be different reasons for the appearance of tongue sores. Causes of tongue sores:
- Aphthae: The most common type of tongue sores, aphthae are usually caused by factors such as stress, immune system disorders, malnutrition, hormonal changes, or intraoral trauma.
- Injuries: Blows or sharp foods on your tongue or inside your mouth can cause tongue sores. Such injuries can also occur as a result of burning, biting, or rubbing the tongue.
- Oral Hygiene: Failure to provide good oral hygiene can cause bacteria and germs to accumulate in the tongue and mouth and cause infections. This can contribute to the formation of tongue sores.
- Allergic Reactions: If you are sensitive to allergens, such as certain foods, medications, or oral hygiene products, you may develop sores or irritations on your tongue.
- Viral or Fungal Infections: Some viral infections, such as the herpes simplex virus, or fungal infections can cause sores on the tongue.
- Systemic Diseases: Systemic diseases can contribute to the appearance of tongue sores. These can include immune system disorders, Crohn’s disease, Behçet’s disease, and vitamin deficiencies.
Tongue sores usually heal on their own, but you can take some precautions to relieve symptoms and speed up the healing process. The following methods and measures can help to heal tongue sores:
- Take Care of Oral Hygiene: To reduce the risk of infection of tongue sores, brush your teeth regularly, clean your tongue, and floss. Taking care of oral hygiene can help wounds heal faster.
- Avoid Irritating Foods: Spicy, salty, or acidic foods can increase the pain of tongue sores and slow the healing process. You can get relief by avoiding such foods.
- Oral Care to Support Healing: Gargling with mouthwash solutions or salt water can help clean tongue sores and speed up the healing process.
- Pain Relief Drugs: You can use mouthwashes, mouth sprays or pain relievers to relieve pain. However, it is important to consult your doctor or pharmacist before using medication.
- Topical Treatments: In some cases, topical antiseptics or oral care gels can be used to heal tongue sores quickly. It is important to consult your doctor for the use of such products.
- Reduce Stress: Stress can contribute to the appearance of tongue sores. You can try methods such as relaxation techniques, meditation or exercise to reduce stress.
- Consult a Doctor for Prolonged or Recurrent Wounds: Tongue sores usually heal quickly. However, if your sores are persistent or recurring, it is important to consult a dentist or oral health professional. Your doctor can suggest more specific treatments or evaluate if there is another underlying problem.
Natural and herbal solutions to alleviate a tongue sore and support the healing process can be:
- Aloe Vera Gel: The gel of the aloe vera plant can help wounds heal faster. Cutting a clean aloe vera leaf and applying its gel to the tongue wound can provide relief.
- Salt Water Gargle: Gargling with a teaspoon of salt added to warm water can help clean the injured area and speed up the healing process.
- Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Making chamomile tea warm and gargling or applying it to the tongue wound can provide relief.
- Medicinal Honeys: Some medicinal honeys, especially Manuka honey, have antiseptic and healing properties. Applying some honey directly to the tongue wound can promote the healing process.
- Sage or Rosemary Extract: Sage or rosemary extract may have antimicrobial properties. Diluting these extracts with warm water and gargling can help reduce the risk of infection of the tongue sore.
- Propolis: Propolis is a natural compound produced by bees and has antimicrobial properties. Consuming propolis or applying it directly to the tongue wound can support the healing process.
It is important to consult your doctor before using herbal solutions. Everyone can have allergic reactions or different health conditions. Therefore, treatment methods should not be applied without consulting a specialist. It is also recommended to consult a healthcare professional if tongue sores are long-lasting or severe.
How does the tongue wound heal after tonsil surgery?
Tongue sore after tonsil surgery may occur as a side effect of the surgery. You can take the following measures to support the healing of tongue sores after surgery:
- Take care of oral hygiene to reduce the risk of infection of tongue sores after surgery. Brush your teeth regularly, clean your tongue and floss. You can also use the recommended mouthwash solutions after surgery.
- Postoperative pain and tenderness may be experienced due to tongue sores. Therefore, consuming cold and soft foods can help tongue sores become less irritated. For example, foods such as ice cream, yogurt, pureed fruits can be preferred.
- Drinking plenty of water can aid your body’s healing process. It can also support faster healing of tongue sores by preventing dry mouth.
- You can relieve the pain caused by tongue sores by using pain relievers recommended by your doctor. However, it is important to consult your doctor before using medication.
- It is important that you follow the instructions given by your doctor in the postoperative period. Use your medications regularly, do not skip your controls, and follow other instructions recommended by your doctor.
A tongue sore after surgery usually heals over time. However, if the wounds persist for a long time or severe, it is important to consult your doctor. Your doctor can recommend more specific treatments or evaluate complications caused by wounds.
What causes tongue sores in babies?
Treatment of tongue sores in infants often focuses on speeding up the healing process and relieving symptoms. In order to reduce the risk of infection of the wounds, it is important to take care of oral hygiene, pay attention to the nutrition of the baby, and provide proper cleaning and care. If the sores are long-lasting, extremely painful, or persist with other symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor. There are several possible causes of tongue sores in babies. Here are some common causes of tongue sores in babies:
- Insufficient Oral Hygiene: Babies have limited ability to maintain oral hygiene. If proper cleaning is not done, bacteria and germs can accumulate in the mouth and cause tongue sores.
- Milk Dila: Some babies may develop small white patches called milk dill under or near the tongue. These spots can turn into wounds over time.
- Infections: Viral or fungal infections can cause tongue sores in babies. Thrush infection, especially caused by the fungus Candida albicans, can cause sores and white patches on the tongue.
- Injuries: The tongue can be injured by babies biting their tongue, consuming hot foods that burn the tongue, or sharp toys in the mouth.
- Teething: The teething process of babies can sometimes cause sensitivity and sores in the tongue.
- Allergic Reactions: Babies may have an allergic reaction to certain foods or substances. In this case, tongue sores may occur.
What causes sublingual sores?
Sublingual sores usually heal on their own. However, if the sores are long-lasting, recurrent or severe, or are accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to consult a dentist or oral health professional. The doctor will evaluate to determine the cause of the wounds and recommend appropriate treatment methods. Sublingual sores can occur for the following reasons:
- Injury: Sublingual sores can occur as a result of trauma to the tissue or vessels under the tongue. Situations such as getting a hard blow to the sublingual area, biting the tongue, or injuring a sharp object can cause sublingual sores.
- Aphthous Ulcers: Aphthous ulcers are painful sores that occur inside the mouth, including under the tongue. These usually occur for an unknown reason and can be influenced by immunological, genetic or environmental factors.
- Inflammation of the Salivary Glands: Inflammation of the salivary glands (sialadenitis) can cause painful bumps and sores under the tongue. This condition is usually caused by a salivary stone or an infection that prevents saliva from flowing freely.
- Denture Friction: Dental prostheses in the sublingual area can be exposed to constant friction and pressure, causing wounds. This may occur due to improper adjustment of the prosthesis or improper use of the prosthesis.
- Fungal Infections: Thrush infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans can cause sores and irritation in the mouth, including under the tongue.