Mouth sores are among the common health problems in the society. Canker sores can occur as a symptom of various diseases, especially as a result of poor oral and dental hygiene and unhealthy eating habits. When a canker sore is painful, it can negatively affect a person's quality of life. Treatment is carried out depending on the underlying causes.
Lesions on the tongue are mostly benign and can heal quickly. It is possible to use natural methods and mouthwashes in the treatment of simple sores. However, a specialist should be consulted for tongue sores that do not heal and persist for a long time.
What is a canker sore?
Most of the structures in the mouth are covered with a special tissue called mucosa. As a result of any discomfort that causes the integrity of the mucous tissue to be disrupted, sores or ulcers may occur in the mouth. These conditions are called aphthae.
Canker sores can occur as a result of diseases that can cause irritation and damage to the mucous membrane. In addition, any disorder in the anatomical structure of the tongue is also effective in the development of canker sores. Examples include inflammation of the taste buds on the tongue and diseases of the salivary glands around the tongue.
What are the symptoms of canker sores?
A sore tongue, which can occur as a symptom of various diseases, can also occur in the form of inflammation of the tongue. The sore tongue, which is seen as pain, pain and burning in the tongue, can be treated with various methods. Symptoms of sore tongue can be listed as follows:
- Sores on the upper, lower or tip of the tongue,
- Language sensitivity,
- Painful sensation in the tongue,
- Burning sensation in the tongue,
- White lesions on the tongue,
- Burning on contact with acidic products or hot food.
What Causes Canker Sores?
Canker sores can occur due to various reasons. Mouth ulcers, traumas, vitamin and mineral deficiency, viruses, bacteria, smoking, infection, intense spicy and salty foods cause sores that cause a painful sensation in the mouth. In addition to these, genetic factors, stomach, intestinal diseases, infectious diseases are among the factors that cause tongue sores. Other causes of canker sores, which are usually seen as white at the base of the tongue, are as follows:
- Stress,
- Biting the tongue
- Tongue ulcer
- Food allergy
- Thrush in the mouth
- Diabetes and anemia (anemia),
- Lack of oral hygiene,
- Burning of the tongue due to excessively hot drinks.
How is a sore tongue treated?
Since tongue sores can also occur due to various diseases, the underlying condition must be diagnosed before treatment. The methods that can be applied depending on the underlying causes in the treatment of sore tongue are as follows:
- For mild sores, the patient is advised to make some lifestyle changes and monitor the lesion to alleviate or eliminate symptoms. Since canker sores tend to resolve spontaneously within a few days, no additional treatment is required.
- Especially in patients with frequent canker sores, it is very important to brush the teeth effectively twice a day and to get into the habit of doing so.
- To ensure oral hygiene, supportive cleaning methods such as flossing and interdental brushing can be used and mouthwash with low-salt water can be used.
- In addition to a healthy and balanced diet, it may be effective to take missing vitamins and minerals from outside as supplements.
- If the prosthesis, which is not suitable for the oral structure after prosthetic dental treatment, causes sores in the mouth, the dentist should be consulted and different treatment methods should be preferred.
- Since psychological problems such as stress, anxiety and anxiety can cause tongue sores, psychological support should be sought when necessary.
- In cases of severe pain, medication can be applied.
What is good for tongue sores?
Lesions on the tongue are usually benign and can heal quickly. It is possible to benefit from some natural methods in the treatment of simple wounds. Some of the methods that are good for tongue sores are as follows:
- Gargling with a little salt water to reduce infection,
- Suck on ice to relieve and reduce the sensation of pain,
- Make baking soda into a paste, apply it on the wound for 1 minute and wash it,
- To ensure oral and dental hygiene,
- Eating a healthy and balanced diet.