Tongue pain: How is it treated?

Tongue pain is difficult to ignore. It can be due to various reasons such as biting the tongue, that you drank or ate something hot, and to various diseases e.g. neuralgia, aphthae, leukoplakia, normal lichen.

Causes of pain:

A painful condition referred to as tongue pain is characterized by a burning sensation of the tongue or the entire mouth, with no obvious local damage. This condition can have a variety of causes such as dry mouth, candidiasis, diabetes, anemia, dehydration and vitamin deficiency.

Also, the discomfort may be due to inflammation of the tongue due to glossitis, a condition that affects the surface of the tongue. When there is glossitis the surface of the tongue is swollen, as the inflammation alters the nipples of the tongue. Causes of glossitis include yeast infection in the mouth, misplaced dentures, injuries, burns, and allergic reactions.

How to deal with pain in the tongue?

Here are some basic treatments to help relieve pain and swelling of the tongue, but if the pain persists you should see a dentist.

1. Oral hygiene

One of the causes of tongue pain is bacterial infection. Follow the instructions of good oral health. Brushing your teeth with a soft toothbrush, flossing and using mouthwash reduces harmful bacteria and the risk of infectious complications. Avoid using strong mouthwashes, as this can make the tongue sore.

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is known for its soothing properties. This also applies to language. You can rinse your mouth with aloe juice several times a day. One study found that 2% aloe vera mouthwash was effective in reducing pain in patients with foot-and-mouth disease and further shortened wound healing time [1].

3. Baking soda

For pain and swelling of the tongue, try rinsing your mouth with a mixture of lukewarm water and baking soda (1 teaspoon per 1/2 cup of water). Some people use baking soda as a substitute for mouthwash. Studies have shown that it can help with freshness of breath. Baking soda has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties [2]. Rinse your mouth several times a day.

4. B vitamin supplements

There are limited items but diet can play a role. For example, acidic and spicy foods (such as pineapple, lemon and tomato) can make pain worse. Also, some oral conditions such as cold sores and candidiasis may be aggravated by a lack of vitamins. Although the cause of cold sores is not clear, some studies suggest that there is a lack of B vitamins, especially B12.

5. Salt water

Gargling with water and salt is one way to reduce pain, inflammation and prevent infections [3]. Rinse with salt water dissolving 1 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup water for 30 seconds before spitting. This makes it more difficult for bacteria to grow spores and reproduce. These spores can lead to disease and pain in the tongue and mouth. Do not swallow salty water because too much salt is not a healthy condition for the body.

8. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has antibacterial properties and is contained in oral solutions. One study has shown that it helps with periodontitis [4]. As an antiseptic, it can cure an infection or pain in your mouth. Use 3% hydrogen peroxide and dilute it with water (equal parts of peroxide with water). Apply it to the affected area using a cotton ball and after a few seconds rinse with lukewarm water. Do not swallow the solution.

9. Tea with honey

Honey is a natural antibacterial and has been shown to be effective in treating various types of wounds. You can put some honey directly on the wound several times a day and drink chamomile (or tea) with honey. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and you can also rinse your mouth with lukewarm or cold chamomile.

10. Magnesia milk

Another thing you can do is put magnesium milk on the wound and then rinse. Magnesium milk, although mainly used for constipation, can help relieve pain and heal a wound.

11. Drink plenty of fluids

Dry mouth allows bacteria to accumulate on the tongue and mouth instead of rinsing with saliva, which can cause complications if there is a sore. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dry mouth which can also cause bad breath.

At Vita4you.gr you can find a wide variety of oral hygiene products.

References

1. Evaluation of the therapeutic effects of Aloe vera gel on minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
2. Antibacterial activity of baking soda.
3. Mouthwash or Salt Water Rinse.
4. Adjunctive antimicrobial chemotherapy based on hydrogen peroxide photolysis for non-surgical treatment of moderate to severe periodontitis: a randomized controlled trial.