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.
Emoha App
With the Emoha app, you get access to 24/7 emergency support for non-medical & medical emergencies alike that can be availed from any place in India within seconds. You also get exclusive benefits like travel booking assistance, special discounts on travel & medicines, a helpdesk for daily support, and much more. You can also read exclusively tailored blogs for seniors on a number of topics ranging from health to wellbeing to entertainment. Download the app from Google Playstore or iOS App Store.
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.
What to do next
- Check dentures and braces for rubbing and ask a dentist to adjust them.
- Use a soft toothbrush, brush gently and rinse after meals.
- Avoid tobacco, betel quid and very spicy or hot food while the mouth is sore.
- Drink water and eat soft, cool foods such as curd, banana or porridge.
- Keep a note of when sores appear and any new medicines.
When a mouth sore needs a doctor
A mouth ulcer that lasts more than three weeks, a white or red patch, a lump, bleeding, difficulty swallowing or numbness should be seen by a dentist or doctor soon, because they can be early signs of mouth cancer. Tobacco and betel users are at higher risk. Repeated ulcers may also point to low iron, vitamin B12 or folate, or a medical condition. See dental health and eating.
Easing discomfort safely
A salt-water rinse (half a teaspoon in a glass of warm water) is a common soothing step. Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol and do not use steroid or antifungal medicines without advice. If swallowing is hard, see swallowing difficulties and meal aids.
When to ask a professional
See a dentist for sore gums, loose teeth or denture trouble. See a doctor for recurring or non-healing sores, thrush after antibiotics or inhaled steroids, or ulcers with fever.
Equipment mentioned in this guide
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common causes of mouth ulcers in older adults?
Ill-fitting dentures, biting the cheek, tobacco, infections such as thrush, low vitamins and some medicines.
When is a mouth ulcer serious?
When it lasts more than three weeks, bleeds, grows or comes with a lump or white or red patch.
Can dentures cause sores?
Yes, when they rub. A dentist can adjust them.
What helps a sore mouth heal?
Good oral hygiene, avoiding irritants and treating the cause.
Sources and further reading
- World Health Organization, Oral health fact sheet
- Indian Dental Association, patient information on oral health
- NHS (UK), guidance on mouth ulcers
Tags: meanmouthsorenessmouthsorenessMouth DiseaseMouth Infection SymptomsMouth Ulcers and Tongue Sorenessmouth ulcersoral healthdenturesConditions and devicesGut health and nutrition
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Speak to your doctor before changing your exercise, diet or medicines.
