Tongue problems include a variety of symptoms, from pain to changes in color and texture, that can have many different causes.
Though often hailed as "the strongest muscle in the body," the tongue is made up of a group of muscles that allow us to taste food, swallow, and talk. A healthy tongue is pink and covered with small nodules called papillae.
Because you use your tongue all the time, tongue problems can be frustrating and uncomfortable.
Symptoms of Tongue Problems
Different causes of tongue problems have different symptoms. You might have:
- Pain
- Burning sensation
- Lumps
- Sores
- Discoloration, ranging from white to black
- Texture changes
Causes of Tongue Problems
There are a variety of causes for common tongue symptoms. The majority of tongue problems aren’t serious and most can be resolved quickly.
In some instances, though, a discolored or painful tongue can indicate more serious conditions, including vitamin deficiencies, AIDS, or oral cancer. For this reason, it is important to seek medical advice if you have any ongoing problems with your tongue.
Causes of sore tongue or tongue bumps
There are many things that can make your tongue become sore or cause painful bumps to form, including:
- Trauma. Accidentally biting your tongue or scalding it on something hot can leave you with a sore tongue until the damage heals. Grinding or clenching the teeth can also irritate the sides of the tongue and cause it to become painful.
- Smoking.Smoking excessively can irritate your tongue and make it sore.
- Canker sores. Many people will get these mouth ulcers on the tongue at some point. The cause is unknown, although they can be worse during periods of heightened stress.
- Burning tongue syndrome. Some postmenopausal women develop this syndrome, which makes the tongue feel as if it has been burned.
- Enlarged papillae. If one or more of your taste buds becomes inflamed or irritated, it can swell and form a painful bump on your tongue.
- Other medical problems. Medical conditions, including diabetes and anemia, can have a sore tongue as a symptom.
- Oral cancer. Though most sore tongues aren’t anything to worry about, you should consult a doctor if you have a lump or sore on your tongue that doesn't go away within a week or two. Many oral cancers don't hurt in the early stages, so don't assume a lack of pain means nothing is wrong.
Causes of white tongue There are a number of things that can cause a whitish coating or white spots to develop on the tongue, including: Causes of red or strawberry tongue There are multiple factors that can cause a normally pink tongue to turn red. In some instances, the tongue may even take on the appearance of a strawberry with enlarged, red taste buds dotting the surface. Possible causes include:
Causes of black hairy tongue Though troubling in appearance, a black, hairy tongue is typically nothing serious. It comes from an overgrowth of bacteria, dead cells and other debris that get trapped on your tongue. Several things can cause it:
- Overgrown papillae. The small bumps on the surface of your tongue, called papillae, grow throughout your lifetime. In some people, the papillae become excessively long, rather than being worn down by daily activities. That makes them more likely to harbor bacteria. When these bacteria grow, they may look dark or black and the overgrown papillae appear hair-like.
- Medical Treatments. People who are on antibiotics or receiving chemotherapy may be more likely to have a black hairy tongue.
- Poor oral care. This condition isn’t common and is most likely to happen in people who don’t have good dental hygiene.
Diagnosing Tongue Problems
Your doctor can usually tell what’s wrong with your tongue by looking at it. They may want to test you for medical conditions that can cause tongue symptoms, like diabetes or a vitamin deficiency.
If you have a mouth tumor, you may have a biopsy to check for cancer.
Treatment for Tongue Problems
Treatments for tongue problems vary depending on their cause. Some problems go away by themselves. If you have an underlying health condition, treating that can improve your symptoms.
Your doctor may suggest a medicated rinse or gel. If you have oral thrush, you may need anti-fungal medication.
If you have sores or other conditions that cause pain, it may help to avoid spicy or acidic foods.
Cancer treatment can range from surgery to radiation and chemotherapy or drug therapy.
Because some tongue problems can be linked to poor oral health, it’s important to take care of your mouth and teeth. Brush and floss regularly and use a tongue scraper to remove bacteria and other particles. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting.
SOURCES: University of Maryland Medical Center: "Tongue Problems," “Oral Cancer." American Dental Association: "Common Mouth Sores." Familydoctor.org: "Mouth Problems." Columbia University College of Dental Medicine: "Black hairy tongue." Familydoctor.org: "Canker sores: What are they and what can you do about them." Columbia University College of Dental Medicine: "Painful papillae of the tongue." Mayo Clinic: “Black hairy tongue,” “Geographic tongue,” “Canker sore,” “Oral thrush,” “Mouth cancer.”Show Sources
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