What everybody ought to know about tongue ulcers?
Tongue ulcer also termed as sores on the tongue are open cuts that appear as whitish lesions on the tongue. This is one of the common types of canker sores that appear inside our mouth. It is a common oral problem and subsides on its own but stimulates sharp pain while eating and drinking.
Despite it appears harmless and occurs for an unknown cause, it is linked to various irritants at times. It can be identified with certain symptoms. Keep reading to know more about this.
What causes Tongue ulcer?
The root cause of tongue ulcers is unknown. However, dentists believe it happens as a consequence of viral infections, certain medical conditions, and traumatic conditions. The possible attributes that trigger sores on our tongue include:
- Infectious conditions
- Oral thrush
- Oral Lichen Planus
- Herpes
- Gingivostomatitis
Bodily disorders
If a person has ulcer lesions in various areas of his/her mouth, it may occur due to a disturbance in the victim’s physical health. In simply, too many sores or rashes in the mouth are a sign of an underlying problematic condition. The important ones to mention are:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Crohn’s disease
- Diabetes
- Behcet’s Syndrome
- Inflammatory Bowel disease
Traumatic conditions
Apart from the microbial invasions and bodily disorders, the tongue ulcers emanating from injuries or damages in the mouth that occur due to
- Accidental tongue bites
- Irritations from dental braces or restorative appliances
- Irritations from certain medications
- Oral tissue injuries due to vigorous brushing or flossing
Taking too much spicy foods and consuming hot foods are also responsible for soft tissue injuries that lead to tongue ulcers.
What are the symptoms of tongue ulcers?
The tongue sores caused by mouth ulcer or canker sores are whitish or yellowish lesions with red-colored borders. Mostly, the tongue ulcers are tiny-sized wounds whereas some ulcer tongue lesions are sized between 1 to 3 cm.
As they are painful lesions, the tongue ulcer is accompanied by difficulties in eating along with certain oral hardships as follows:
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Swollen tongue
- Bleeding
In the meantime, a person encounters various hassles in his/her body systems along with mouth ulcers if it happens due to the underlying disorders. Here are some signs:
- Chronic fever
- Body aches
- Diarrhea
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Rashes in the skin
What are the tongue ulcer treatments a dentist provides?
Remember that the tongue sores or ulcer tongue lesions will go on their own in a few days if it occurs due to oral infections. We recommend OTC medications to get relief from the pain and discomforts caused by the tongue sores.
In contrast, if you notice the mouth sores exist for many weeks, consult your dentist. We have noticed that various medical conditions obstruct the ulcer lesions from subsiding. In such circumstances, treating such underlying cause will help you to get rid of the tongue ulcers.
You can also get rid of the painful lesions and quicken the healing process with some natural remedies.
Want to know more about tongue ulcer and DIY remedies to get relief from this problem? Contact our dentists. Our Align Dental Care is ready to help.
