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A sore tongue may be a symptom of deficiency or the presence of an ulcer. Sometimes it may not be serious and may be easily treatable or it might resolve on its own. Sometimes, it may require medical and surgical intervention in serious cases such as tumours.
A sore tongue may result from injury, infection, deficiency of certain nutrients, or ulcers and tumours. Pain in the tongue or at any part of it causing hindrance to free movement of the tongue is usually considered as soreness of the tongue. There may be pain while speaking, chewing, or swallowing, leading to a physical problem of the tongue or any underlying cause.
A sore tongue can be a result of many different problems-
Frequent symptoms that can impact your tongue consist of:
If there is pain and soreness in the tongue without a history of any trauma to the tongue, it may help to get checked by the concerned doctor. The doctor may be able to make a diagnosis based on simply looking at the tongue or performing certain tests to rule out underlying conditions like diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, or cancer.
Treatment for sore tongue may include OTC medicines in case of infection. A visit to a dentist may be helpful if tongue pain is due to oral hygiene issues. In other cases of diabetes, ulcers or cancers, visiting a doctor may help in the treatment of the sore tongue through medication or, if required, surgery, such as in the case of oral cancer.
The treatment or management approach required for your condition is contingent upon the underlying cause of your symptoms. Possible treatments may encompass:
While it's not possible to prevent all tongue-related conditions, you can lower the chances of infection and inflammation by maintaining good oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, tongue scraping to eliminate bacteria, and scheduling routine dental cleanings.
Additionally, it's advisable to refrain from smoking and the use of tobacco products, as these habits can lead to the development of painful ulcers and raise the risk of oral cancer.
If tongue pain is accompanied by some or a combination of the symptoms mentioned below, individuals should consider getting an expert opinion:
Infections of the tongue can be easily treated with medications and by practising good oral hygiene. The visiting doctor may be able to recommend the best treatment for the underlying cause of sore tongue.
The sore tongue may be easily treated at home using simple ingredients available at home for non-serious causes. These include:
Apart from these, individuals may also find relief from the sore tongue by maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and cleaning the tongue at least once every day.
A sore tongue is usually not a serious problem and can be managed easily at home. However, it can occur or be a symptom of any other serious medical complication. Hence, if there are any doubts or persistent pain or discomfort with the tongue, visiting the doctor may help find the root cause.
Tongue pain is usually not serious, and there's nothing to worry about. Usually, it gets cured on its own in a few days.
Not all sore tongue symptoms are related to vitamin deficiency. There are additional symptoms like dizziness, weakness, and other accompanying symptoms in other parts of the body.
Food allergies may cause itching, burning, and other feelings in the tongue. Allergy medication can aptly treat allergic reactions.