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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Oral & Implantology: Oral Manifestations of Coeliac Disease
- Oral & Implantology: Oral Manifestations of Coeliac Disease
- Journal of Dental Research: Biologic Mechanisms of Oral Cancer Pain and Implications for Clinical Therapy
- Journal of Dental Research: Biologic Mechanisms of Oral Cancer Pain and Implications for Clinical Therapy
- Contemporary Clinical Dentistry: Demographic and Clinical Profile of Oral Lichen Planus -- A Retrospective Study
- Contemporary Clinical Dentistry: Demographic and Clinical Profile of Oral Lichen Planus -- A Retrospective Study
- Surgical Neurology International: Radiation Mechanisms of Pain Control in Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Surgical Neurology International: Radiation Mechanisms of Pain Control in Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral y Cirugia Bucal: Orofacial Pain of Cardiac Origin, Serial of Clinical Cases
- Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral y Cirugia Bucal: Orofacial Pain of Cardiac Origin, Serial of Clinical Cases
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Causes of a Sore Tongue
Accidentally biting your tongue can make it sore, however tongue pain can also be an indication of a serious medical condition, such as oral cancer. Seek medical attention for an accurate diagnosis if you have tongue pain with an unknown cause, or you develop bumps or other lesions on your tongue or in your mouth.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Glossitis
Viral or bacterial infections such as oral herpes simplex can lead to glossitis. Other causes may include a yeast infection, trauma, burns, a dry mouth and exposure to tobacco, spices or hot foods.cause:
- Other causes may include a yeast infection
- trauma
- burns
- a dry mouth
- exposure to tobacco
- spices or hot foods
Medical problems such as iron deficiency anemia or apthous ulcers can also lead to glossitis.
Oral Cancer
Diseases and Disorders of the Tongue
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Oral cancer refers to a cancer that affects the mouth. Oral cancer symptoms include lesions, ulcers or lumps on the lip, tongue or mouth. These regions may be sore and they may form a deep crack within the tissue. Other oral cancer symptoms include difficulty swallowing, mouth sores, tongue problems and a strange taste in the mouth.
Tobacco and smoking causes the majority of oral cancers. Alcohol consumption, poor dental hygiene and the human papilloma virus can all lead to oral cancer. Treatment for oral cancer involves chemotherapy and radiation to eliminate the oral cancer cells or surgery to remove the cancerous tumor.
- Oral cancer refers to a cancer that affects the mouth.
- Other oral cancer symptoms include difficulty swallowing, mouth sores, tongue problems and a strange taste in the mouth.
Lichen Planus
Lichen planus is an inflammatory skin condition that typically affects the arms or legs. Sometimes, this condition can also affect the genitals and mouth. Lichen planus symptoms can include mouth sores, a sore tongue, tenderness or itching of the mouth and shiny red patches on the cheeks or tongue. Other symptoms of lichen planus include skin bumps that can appear purple, pink or red in color and hair loss. Unfortunately, the cause of lichen planus is unclear. However, it may be linked to an allergic reaction to a medication or an infection such as hepatitis C. Treatment for lichen planus involves taking such medications as antihistamines, corticosteroids. Also, phototherapy (a type of light therapy) can also be beneficial.
Other Causes
How to Heal Tongue Sores
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Tongue pain can be caused by nerve damage. Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition caused by disruption of the trigeminal nerve, which supplies sensation to the face and mouth 4. Pain typically increases with speaking, chewing or touching the face. Nerve damage can also be caused by medical conditions such as diabetes. Heart attack -- a life-threatening situation -- may also cause pain in the jaw and tongue.
- Tongue pain can be caused by nerve damage.
- Heart attack -- a life-threatening situation -- may also cause pain in the jaw and tongue.
Related Articles
References
- Oral & Implantology: Oral Manifestations of Coeliac Disease
- Journal of Dental Research: Biologic Mechanisms of Oral Cancer Pain and Implications for Clinical Therapy
- Contemporary Clinical Dentistry: Demographic and Clinical Profile of Oral Lichen Planus -- A Retrospective Study
- Surgical Neurology International: Radiation Mechanisms of Pain Control in Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral y Cirugia Bucal: Orofacial Pain of Cardiac Origin, Serial of Clinical Cases
- Le Cleach L, Chosidow O. Lichen Planus. N Engl J Med. 2012;366(8):723-32.
- Shengyuan L, Songpo Y, Wen W, Wenjing T, Haitao Z, Binyou W. Hepatitis C virus and lichen planus: a reciprocal association determined by a meta-analysis. Arch Dermatol. 2009;145:1040-7.
- Usatine R, Tinitigan M. Diagnosis and Treatment of Lichen Planus. Am Fam Physician. 2011;84(1):53-60.
- Zakrzewska JM, Chan ES, Thornhill MH. A systematic review of placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials of treatments used in oral lichen planus. Br J Dermatol. 2005;153(2):336-41.
Writer Bio
Lisabetta Divita is a physician whose love for writing flourished while she was exposed to all facets of the medical field during her training. Her writings are currently featured in prominent medical magazines and various online publications. She holds a doctorate in medicine, a master's in biomedicine, and a Bachelor of Science in biology from Boston College.