Tongue ulcers (or canker sores) are painful, rounded sores that can take on a white, gray, or yellowish color. While bothersome, they are generally not serious and heal on their own within a week or two. There are various factors that can contribute to the development of ulcers, including genetics, a predisposition to bite the tongue, stress, food allergies, nutritional deficiencies and, in the rarest cases, mouth cancer. If you keep the discomfort under control, address the triggers and understand in which cases to go to the doctor, you can effectively treat the ailment and feel better in no time.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Relieve Pain and Discomfort in the Home
Step 1. Use a soft bristle toothbrush
Replace your usual hard or medium bristle toothbrush with a soft one (read the label to make sure it is). Stiff-bristled toothbrushes can cause minor abrasions and irritation of the tongue, including the formation of ulcers.
Step 2. Start using sodium lauryl ether sulfate free toothpaste
Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant found in many toothpastes that can cause ulcers to form or reappear. Ask your dentist to recommend a good SLS-free toothpaste.
Step 3. Try using antimicrobial mouthwash to speed healing and prevent infections
Ask your dentist if you can use an antimicrobial mouthwash, which is available only with a prescription. Many of these solutions contain chlorhexidine, a powerful antibacterial agent that helps treat ulcers but can also temporarily stain teeth.
- Children under the age of two should not use chlorhexidine-based mouthwashes.
- These mouthwashes should be taken according to the instructions of your dentist and most of them should not be taken for more than seven consecutive days.
Step 4. Choose light, smooth-textured foods during the healing phase
Avoid foods with a rough or hard texture (such as lollipops and candy) and spicy or acidic products for some time. They can inflame ulcers and delay healing. Cut down on the consumption of hot drinks (which can cause burns in the oral cavity) and sip cold drinks using a straw. Avoid talking while chewing, otherwise you risk biting your tongue and further irritating the ulcer.
Step 5. Fight the pain using a topically applied analgesic gel
Purchase a specific numbing gel for the oral cavity and apply a small amount to the ulcer to ease the discomfort. Repeat the application up to four times a day. Avoid brushing your teeth or consuming acidic drinks for at least an hour after applying the product.
Oral numbing gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine are available without a prescription from pharmacies
Step 6. Rinse with salt water or baking soda to promote healing
Dissolve one teaspoon (10 g) of salt or baking soda in half a cup (120 ml) of warm water. Use the rinse solution twice a day. This method can reduce the sensitivity caused by the ulcer and accelerate healing.
Step 7. Apply magnesium hydroxide to the ulcer to ease the discomfort
Dip the tip of a cotton swab in magnesium hydroxide. Gently pat it on the affected area. Repeat up to three times a day to combat discomfort.
Step 8. Apply ice to relieve pain
If you find it effective, let small pieces of ice dissolve in your mouth by focusing on the ulcer. In some cases, the cold can exacerbate pain and sensitivity, so listen to your body. To relieve discomfort, you can apply ice as often as you find appropriate.
Step 9. Take supplements to prevent new ulcers from forming
Certain types of vitamins help prevent the development of canker sores. If they recur, try taking a complex of B vitamins, vitamin C, or lysine.
- Always consult your doctor before starting to take any new vitamins or dietary supplements, especially if you are already taking others or are having a certain therapy.
- Ask your doctor to evaluate if the ulcers are due to a vitamin deficiency. Aphthae can be caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12, zinc, folic acid, or iron.
Method 2 of 3: Addressing the Causes of Ulcers
Step 1. Begin to lead a tobacco-free lifestyle
Explain to your doctor that you have decided to quit smoking and break the habit of consuming any tobacco products. This substance can irritate the tongue and cause ulcers to form.
Step 2. Avoid problematic foods and drinks
Spicy, salty, or acidic products can aggravate ulcers, but also cause new ones. There are also foods that can cause the formation of canker sores in intolerant or sensitive subjects. If you are particularly prone to ulcers, try excluding the following products:
- Chocolate;
- Strawberries;
- Egg;
- Coffee;
- Dried fruit;
- Cheese.
Step 3. Moderate your alcohol consumption
Try to drink fewer than three drinks a day and no more than seven in a week. Excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption can substantially increase the risk of mouth cancer and ulcers.
Step 4. Meditate to combat anxiety
Try to reduce stress with meditation. In fact, many doctors believe that anxiety can cause recurrent ulcers. Find a quiet place and make yourself comfortable. Set aside five to 15 minutes to focus on your breathing and clear your mind.
If possible, cancel all unnecessary commitments for a while to help combat stress and promote greater relaxation
Step 5. Ask your dentist to examine any dentures or braces you may be wearing
Show him the retainer, dentures, or extra-oral traction to make sure it's the right size. The wrong size dentures, defective fillings and sharp edges of orthodontic devices can cause tongue ulcers and irritation of the oral cavity.
The dentist can make small changes if necessary and also examine any ulcers that are present
Step 6. Pay attention to hormonal changes
If you are a woman, examine your menstrual cycle to see if the tongue ulcers are related to hormonal changes. As the body is faced with hormonal changes, it is possible for mouth ulcers to develop on the tongue during menstruation and menopause.
If you find hormonal ulcers bothersome, consult a gynecologist to determine if your symptoms can be relieved by taking the contraceptive pill or other hormone replacement therapy
Step 7. Consider the potential side effects of the medications you take
Consult your doctor to learn more about chronic conditions that can affect a person's oral health. Certain antibiotics, beta-blockers, and inhaled corticosteroids can cause tongue ulcers.
- People with asthma, diabetes and depression are at increased risk from the medications that are commonly prescribed for these conditions.
- Some side effects can be mitigated by making changes to your habits, such as rinsing your mouth thoroughly after taking an inhaled corticosteroid. Your doctor may also prescribe other medications to control the disorder with fewer adverse effects.
- Ulcer sufferers should avoid taking regular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, as they can cause tongue sores. If your doctor has prescribed therapy with these medications, explain that you are unsure.
Method 3 of 3: See a Doctor
Step 1. See a doctor if the ulcers don't go away within three weeks
See your doctor if the canker sores persist for more than three weeks. They may be infected or require special treatment. Normal ulcers should heal on their own within a week or two.
Step 2. See your doctor if your ulcer becomes painful or red
If the aphtha is accompanied by bleeding or sharp pain, see your doctor or dentist. It may be due to a viral infection or skin condition that needs to be treated with medication rather than with home care.
Cold sores, caused by the HSV-1 herpes virus, and hand-foot-mouth disease are two examples of viral infections that can cause tongue ulcers
Step 3. See your doctor if tongue ulcers are recurring
See your doctor if the canker sores are recurring, as they can be symptomatic of a more serious condition. Nerve irritations, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Behçet's syndrome, Reiter's syndrome, and mouth cancer can cause recurrent tongue ulcers characterized by slow healing. Your doctor can examine them and develop a treatment that suits your needs.
