What Causes Ulcers on Tongue and How to Treat It

For anyone who has ever had to deal with ulcers on tongue, you already know that they can be quite painful. Tongue ulcers appear as lesions that are white in color, and in more severe cases, will turn more reddish and may even become bloody. Also known as apthous ulcers, this type of ailment is typically caused by some form of injury or trauma to the tongue.

What Are the Causes of Ulcers on Tongue

There are a number of possible causes of tongue ulcers, most of which can be traced back to some type of hot food or drink that was recently consumed. Spicy foods, such as peppers or foods with an excessive amount of Tobasco sauce, have also been known to cause ulcers to the tongue. However, beverages that are heated, including coffee, tea and hot chocolate are the most common causes. It is also known that heavy cigarette smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages can also lead to this type of ulcer. Less frequently, tongue ulcers can also occur in those persons who are already dealing with peptic or stomach ulcers.

There are a number of typical symptoms of ulcers on tongue that can vary between patients depending upon the severity of the condition. The most common symptom is a burning sensation centered around the specific area that was damaged or traumatized. Tongue ulcers will usually begin to develop as protuberances or bud-like growths about 2 or 3 days prior to it turning into an ulcer. Persons with ulcers on their tongue will feel some minor pain on the tongue which can become more intense when eating or drinking, especially foods and beverages that are hot or spicy. Due to the discomfort and pain caused by these ulcers, a person suffering from this condition may also experience a loss of appetite.

How Tongue Ulcers Are Treated

Both prescription and over-the-counter medications are available that safely and effectively treat ulcers on tongue. There are also a few home remedies that can help relieve the pain and discomfort. Most doctors will recommend that the patient increase the amount of B vitamins they are currently taking which will help to speed up the healing process. They may also suggest applying glycerin to the tongue ulcer to promote faster healing.

In more severe cases, or cases in which the tongue ulcers are frequently recurring, surgery may be required to remove them. However, it is generally recommended to avoid the particular substance(s) that is causing the ulcer, typically cigarettes, coffee, hot tea or spicy foods.

There are a number of home remedies for ulcers on tongue that have been found to alleviate the pain in some sufferers. Applying butter to the ulcer lesions or using a warm water and salt solution will help to clean it. Also, eating ripe papayas can help the healing process. For patients also suffering from stomach ulcers, taking a tablespoon of coconut oil every day has been proven to help a lot of people with this type of ulcer. If the stomach ulcer is leading to the tongue ulcers, this would also have the affect of healing the tongue ulcers as well.

In most cases, tongue ulcers aren't severe or life threatening. However, they can be quite painful, especially when eating or drinking. Fortunately, they can usually be cured in a short amount of time by taking the appropriate medication and putting into practice some preventative measures, such as abstaining from coffee and cigarettes. As is often the case, an ounce of prevention can go a long way in helping those suffering from ulcers on tongue.

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