Causes

Listed below are the causes which give a person sore on the side of tongue. • A chipped tooth near the side of the tongue can lead to a sore • Biting your tongue can cause a sore • Braces can give a person sore on the tongue • Burning the mouth due to eating or drinking something hot • Chewing of tobacco is another cause • Poorly fitting dentures many times leads to mouth sores • Deficiency of vitamin B12, can cause ulcers • Infection can lead to painful sores on the side of tongue • Low immunity can also give a person mouth sores • Hormonal changes causes mouth sores. These changes are observed more in women than men. • Stress can lead to canker sores • Burning tongue syndrome can make the mouth feel sore and produce burning sensation on the tongue, lips, gums, palate or the entire mouth • Allergic reaction to a particular food or medicine can also cause sore on the side of the tongue • One of the lesser known causes is cancer, which can give a person sore on the tongue Even though, there are many conditions that can lead to soreness on the side of the tongue, sometimes the diagnosis can be complicated as there are certain medical conditions which rarely lead to sores in the mouth.

Home Remedies

Mouth sores generally last for a period of 10 - 14 days, but sometimes can last for a period of 6 weeks. Use these remedies for mouth sores relief. Gargle your mouth with cool water, it especially helps if you have developed a sore due to a burn. If you have canker sores, then rinse your mouth with salt-water. This will reduce infection, if any. If you have canker sores on the tongue which are severe, then apply some fluocinonide gel (Lidex). It will help you to deal with the pain better. In case of fever blisters, apply ice to sores on the tongue. Just like plain ice you can also suck popsicle to reduce the pain and heal the sore faster. You can also take some lysine tablets to get rid of sores caused due to fever blisters. Eat light, non-spicy, and easy-to-swallow food. Make sure the food you are eating is not too hot or too cold. Eating supplements of B-complex can speed up the process of healing of mouth sores. In a bowl, add a teaspoon of baking soda and some water to form a thin paste. Apply this paste to the affected region. This remedy is helpful in case of canker sores. As stress can cause canker sores, consider doing yoga or meditation regularly for relaxation. Brew a cup of chamomile tea. Let it cool down, and drink it. This remedy will help soothe the tongue instantly. You can also use aloe vera gel to soothe the sore. To use fresh aloe gel, take an aloe leaf and cut it lengthwise, then scoop out the gel inside, using a spoon. Apply a bit of the gel to the sore and leave it for ten minutes, then rinse it off. Mix a pinch of turmeric in half cup of warm milk. Swish the liquid in your mouth for 20 seconds and swallow it. Repeat this till you finish the cup of milk. If you keep getting mouth sores, then consider using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Also, make sure you keep replacing your toothbrush every 2 months. A soft-bristled toothbrush is gentle and will also prevent irritating the sore further. Maintaining healthy eating habits will also give you immunity and help in healing the sores faster. So, eat lots of fruits and vegetables throughout the day. In case, you had allergic reaction which lead to sore on the tongue then consider taking OTC antihistamine pills. They will reduce the swelling.

When to Seek Medical Care

Seek medical care in the following situations:

• If the tongue sores last for a period of more than 2 weeks.
• If you develop sores on the tongue or mouth area, after you started taking new medication.
• If you have severe symptoms like fever, skin rash, difficulty during swallowing, and extreme pain along with sores on the side of the tongue.
• If you have low immunity, due to conditions like HIV or cancer.
• If there are large white patches present on the roof of the mouth or tongue.