8 Different Causes of Mean Mouth Soreness
Most people experience mouth soreness at some stage of life. Mouth sores may be visible on the softer tissues like the gums, tongue, inside of cheeks and lips, roof and floor of the mouth too. Although mouth infection symptoms usually last for one to two weeks, they are troublesome and cause immense discomfort. Cold sores, canker sores, oral thrush, foot and mouth disease, leukoplakia, gingivostomatitis, burns, etc., are some causes of a sore mouth and tongue. Long-term causes of mouth ulcers and tongue soreness include mouth cancer, Pemphigus Vulgaris, and celiac disease.
Potential causes of mouth ulcers and tongue soreness
There are many reasons for sore mouth and tongue, from everyday habits to microbiological infections or long-term diseases. Some potential daily habitual causes include the following.
- Burns within the mouth
- Smoking tobacco
- Chewing tobacco
- Biting the lips or tongue
- Using a hard toothbrush or brushing with force
- Troublesome braces or dentures
These are passing causes of mouth infection and do not pose much risk. Mouth infection caused by such factors can be cured by simply stopping the harmful practices.
Mouth infection and tongue soreness are also caused due to reactions to certain factors. These last for short terms and can be effectively treated with medications.
- The fungus Candida albicans causes oral thrush.
- Infectious mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV).
- Bacteria, viruses, or poor hygiene cause gingivostomatitis.
- The Coxsackievirus group causes foot and mouth disease.
- Bleeding diseases like Haemophilia.
- Drugs like corticosteroids and strong antibiotics.
- Strong Chemotherapy drugs.
- Intense radiations for cancer treatment.
A compromised immune system leads to repeated mouth problem symptoms caused by opportunistic bacteria, fungi, or viruses. This is seen in AIDS patients.
There are also long-term mouth infections and tongue soreness conditions, which can be controlled to a certain extent.
- Mouth cancer of the tongue, cheeks, teeth, gums, and lips
- Celiac disease is a disease that arises out of intolerance to gluten
Although the symptoms of this disease are experienced more in the stomach lining, mouth ulcers are also caused due to this
- Pemphigus Vulgaris is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune response attacks the mouth. Blisters, mouth ulcers, and tongue soreness are the symptoms.
Typical mouth infection symptoms
Pain, redness, and soreness around the ulcers are the most typical symptoms. The difficulty is experienced during eating, drinking, talking, swallowing, and breathing. Blisters develop in most cases. Fever, joint pain, and diarrhoea are the ultimate systemic symptoms.
Conclusion
Though the severity of mouth disease varies in different individuals, gurgling with salt water, applying some baking soda, avoiding spicy and tangy foods, avoiding smoking or chewing tobacco, etc., are some measures that can soothe a sore mouth and tongue. Using Acetaminophen, hydrogen peroxide and water in 1:1 concentration and other medical treatments are other controlling means.
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FAQs
What are mouth sores known as?
Mouth soreness is exhibited as canker sores or aphthous ulcers, cold sores, or blisters.
What are the different types of mouth ulcers?
They are major, minor, or herpetiform types of mouth ulcers.
What do mouth ulcers and tongue soreness appear as?
They look like small sores that form on the inside of the cheeks, back of the mouth, tongue, lips, roof of the mouth, etc.