Have you ever had sores on your tongue? Generally, sores on the tongue are shaped like canker sores that are white, gray, or yellow in color. Although potentially irritating, generally the disorder is not serious and can heal on its own after 1-2 weeks of treatment at home. Some of the causes of sores on the tongue to watch out for are genetic factors, tongue biting behavior, stress, certain food allergens, vitamin deficiency or deficiency, and in very rare cases, oral cancer. By managing the cause of the wound and knowing the right time to take medical treatment, surely the wound recovery process can take place smoothly and quickly!
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Method 1 of 3: Relieve Wounds and Discomfort at Home
Step 1. Use a soft toothbrush
Replace a toothbrush with coarse or medium bristles with a very soft toothbrush. If necessary, look for a toothbrush labeled with that description. Remember, coarse or stiff bristles can scratch your tongue and irritate or hurt it.
Step 2. Use a toothpaste that doesn't contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
SLS is a foam-forming agent contained in various brands of toothpaste and has the risk of triggering the formation of sores on the tongue, both for the first time and for the umpteenth time. Therefore, ask your dentist for help to recommend a quality toothpaste that is free from SLS.
Step 3. Try using a mouthwash that contains antimicrobial ingredients to speed up wound healing and prevent infection
Consult the possibility of consuming antimicrobial mouthwash with your doctor and ask the doctor to prescribe it, if allowed. Generally, these products contain chlorhexidine, a very strong antimicrobial agent, which can help heal wounds despite the risk of temporarily staining the tooth surface.
- Children under 2 years of age should not use mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine.
- Mouthwashes should be taken as directed by a doctor, and most products should not be taken for more than 7 days in a row.
Step 4. Eat soft, light-tasting foods while waiting for the wound to heal
For the time being, avoid foods that are too hard like candy or hard-textured candies, as well as foods that are too strong in taste, such as sour or spicy snacks. All of which can increase inflammation and slow the wound healing process. Also avoid drinks that are too hot and prone to burning the mouth, and drink very cold drinks using a straw. In addition, do not also talk while chewing so that your tongue is not bitten and the wound on its surface is getting irritated.
Step 5. Reduce pain by applying a topical analgesic gel
Apply a pea-sized amount of analgesic gel to the injured area up to 4 times a day to relieve pain. Do not brush your teeth with toothpaste or drink acidic drinks for at least an hour after the gel has been applied.
Gels to numb the nerves in the mouth can be purchased without a prescription at pharmacies. Generally, the products sold contain benzocaine or lidocaine
Step 6. Gargle with salt water or baking soda to speed up wound healing
Dissolve 1 tsp. salt or baking soda in 120 ml of warm water. After that, gargle with the solution twice a day to reduce the sensitivity of the wound and speed up healing.
Step 7. Place milk of magnesia on the wound area to reduce discomfort
The trick, simply dip the tip of a cotton bud into the milk of magnesia solution, then pat it on the injured area of the tongue. Repeat the process up to three times a day to relieve pain and discomfort.
Step 8. Compress the tongue with ice cubes to relieve the pain that appears
Apply an ice cube and let the ice melt on its own on the injured area to relieve the pain that appears. However, because some people are sensitive to cold temperatures and actually run the risk of feeling more pain after applying this method, first identify the characteristics of your body. If you feel comfortable, apply this method as often as possible to maximize the results.
Step 9. Take supplements to prevent new sores from forming
Several types of vitamins can help prevent the formation of sores in the mouth. Therefore, if the sores on the tongue keep reappearing, try taking B vitamins, B complex vitamins, vitamin C, or lysine.
- Make sure you always check with your doctor before taking any new vitamins or dietary supplements, especially if you are taking other medications or supplements.
- Consult the possibility of vitamin deficiency as the cause of the formation of sores on the tongue. In fact, sores on the tongue can also be caused by a lack of vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, or iron.
Method 2 of 3: Addressing the Cause of the Wound
Step 1. Have a tobacco-free lifestyle
Consult the possibility of quitting smoking and consuming tobacco in any form. These products have the potential to irritate the tongue and trigger the formation of sores.
Step 2. Avoid foods and drinks that commonly trigger the appearance of sores on the tongue
In particular, foods and drinks that are too spicy, salty, or acidic can trigger the formation of sores. Some types of food can even trigger the formation of sores if the person who eats them has an excessive sensitivity to these foods. Therefore, if your tongue often hurts, try reducing your intake of the following foods:
- Chocolate
- Strawberry
- Egg
- Coffee
- Nuts
- Cheese
Step 3. Limit alcohol intake
If possible, don't drink more than 3 drinks a day and 7 drinks a week. Be careful, excessive alcohol intake combined with smoking behavior can increase the risk of developing sores on the tongue caused by oral cancer.
Step 4. Meditate to reduce your anxiety
Try meditating to reduce stress levels in your body, especially since most doctors believe that anxiety disorders can trigger sores on the tongue. To do this, you just need to sit in a comfortable position in a quiet place, then try to clear your mind and focus it on your breathing rhythm for 5-15 minutes.
If possible, clear your schedule of non-essential activities for a period of time to reduce stress levels and relax your body and mind
Step 5. Ask your dentist for help to check the condition of the dental instruments you are using
If necessary, take your dental braces, dentures, or removable braces to the doctor to make sure all of them are properly attached. Remember, improperly positioned dentures, imperfect fillings, or even orthodontic instruments that have sharp edges can also trigger sores on the tongue and irritation in the mouth.
The dentist can make any necessary adjustments and examine the condition of the sores on your tongue
Step 6. Watch for hormonal changes in your body
If at this time you still have regular periods, try monitoring your monthly menstrual cycle to find out whether there is a relationship between the appearance of sores and hormonal changes. In fact, menstruation or even menopause can also trigger the formation of sores on the tongue, you know, especially because at that time the body is struggling to respond to the hormonal changes that occur.
If the presence of hormonal sores starts to bother you, try to consult the possibility of taking birth control pills or taking hormone replacement therapy to suppress these symptoms
Step 7. Cope with any potential side effects of the drug
Consult any long-term medical disorders you have that could potentially affect your oral health. Basically, some types of antibiotics, beta-blocking drugs, and corticosteroids that are inhaled through an inhaler can trigger the formation of sores on the tongue.
- People with asthma, diabetes, and depression have a higher risk of experiencing negative side effects because they are triggered by the drugs that accompany these diseases.
- Some negative side effects can be minimized by changing behavior or habits, such as gargling thoroughly after inhaling corticosteroids through an inhaler. In addition, doctors may also be able to prescribe medicines to minimize side effects on long-term health problems.
- For those of you who have ulcers or damage to epithelial tissue, do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Tylenol or Advil, especially because these drugs can trigger the formation of sores on the tongue. Express these concerns if you receive a prescription for NSAIDs from your doctor.
Method 3 of 3: Doing Medical Treatment
Step 1. Consult a doctor if the wound does not heal after 3 weeks
Make an appointment with your doctor immediately if the sores on the tongue persist for more than 3 weeks because most likely, the sores have become infected or require additional treatment. Generally, sores on the tongue will heal within 1-2 weeks if only treated at home.
Step 2. See a doctor if the wound is painful or red
See a GP or dentist if the wound starts to bleed or is very painful. Chances are, the cause is a viral infection or skin disease that requires medical treatment instead of just natural remedies.
Sores due to infection, which is generally caused by the herpes virus HSV-1, as well as the Singapore flu are some examples of viral infections that trigger sores on the tongue
Step 3. See a doctor if your tongue is constantly hurting
Be careful, tongue sores that repeat and take a long time to heal may indicate a more serious health problem, such as nerve irritation, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Behcet's disease, Reiter's syndrome, and oral cancer. The doctor can help examine the condition of the wound and recommend appropriate treatment methods to treat it.
