Having a healthy tongue is part of having a healthy, happy mouth, but the odds are pretty good that you don’t think much about your tongue – until it starts to hurt or it just doesn’t look right. Read on for some common tongue troubles, what might cause them, and what you can do about them.
What causes tongue troubles?
Most problems with the tongue are easily treated or will go away on their own over time, such as:
• An injury from biting your own tongue. This is painful and may cause your tongue to swell up, but the swelling and pain should go away on its own.
• Canker sores. These can also be quite painful, but they will usually go away on their own. You may also see these on the inner cheek or lips.
However, there are other, more serious tongue problems that won’t go away on their own:
• Tumors. If you have a sore spot or lump that is painful, swollen, bleeding, or that causes your tongue to become numb, it may be a tumor, and you should contact your doctor right away.
• Nutritional deficiency. If your diet is lacking in nutrients such as vitamin B12 or iron, it may cause your tongue to be sore and to feel like it’s burning. Make sure to eat right, and see your doctor if your tongue has a burning sensation.
• Burning mouth sensation. If your tongue feels like it’s burning, it could also be burning mouth syndrome. This can be very painful, and your doctor or dentist can diagnose the problem and give you options for treatment.
• Oral thrush. Your doctor or dentist may recommend an antifungal medication to deal with these painful white or yellow lesions.
• Cold sores. These can be painful and cause a burning sensation if they are on the tongue, and can appear either inside or outside of the mouth. Your doctor can give you options for dealing with cold sores.
Dr. Samuel Jirik and his staff want you to have the best oral health you possibly can! If you are having any problems, contact them today. Call the office in Cabot, Arkansas, at (501) 843-9561 for an appointment!
