Soreness and pain in the tip of the tongue can be quite distressing. Due to this one has difficulty in tasting, swallowing and chewing food. A healthy tongue is pink and the papillae are tiny. When the tongue is sore, it turns red or white and there could be small bumps on the surface.
The tongue may also turn brown and may even get coated in case of an infection. The tip is sore and painful. There may be some degree of burning and swelling too.
What Causes Sore On Tip Of Tongue?
The following are the most likely causes for soreness of the tongue:
- Lack of nutrition: A diet which is lacking in essential nutrients required to keep the body healthy, especially the B complex vitamins are known to cause a sore tongue. A deficiency of vitamin B6, niacin and iron is almost always an important cause.
- Injury: When a person accidentally bites the tongue while eating or talking, or eats something very hot or cold, it causes the papillae to inflame, thus causing a sore and painful tongue tip.
- Acidic food: Soreness of the tongue along with tiny red bumps, may occur if you consume too much of spicy and acidic foods.
- Tongue rubbing against the teeth: The tip of tongue becomes irritated and sore if the tongue continuously rubs against the teeth. This happens when the teeth are irregular or when there is a buildup of plaque behind the teeth.
- Dental trouble: Poorly-fitting dentures, plaque and inadequate oral hygiene are vital causes.
- Infection: An infection of the tongue caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi is known to make the tongue discolored and sore. Infections of the tongue are fairly common in individuals who have a compromised immune system.
- Mouth sores: Mouth sores or canker sores develop due to a host of factors such as inadequate nutrition, an underlying inflammatory condition, or dental problems. The tip of the tongue turns red, sore and may even swell. In case you have multiple canker sores, associated features such as such as fever, exhaustion, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck and pain in the mouth can also occur.
- Atrophic glossitis: Seen usually in the elderly, this condition manifests as a burning soreness on the tip of the tongue.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Sore Tip Of Tongue
The treatment depends up on the cause and the intensity of your symptoms. Here are some common home remedies to deal with the soreness and discomfort.
- Make sure you eat a balanced diet comprising all the vital nutrients. Have foods that supply loads of vitamin B – whole cereals, fish and green leafy vegetables. Confer with your health care provider and start a vitamin B supplement to make up for the insufficiency.
- Avoid all spicy and acidic foods.
- Baking soda is a very effective home remedy for sores. Mix baking soda with a couple of drops of water and make a paste; using a cotton swab, apply this paste all over the sores. It proffers quick relief.
- Ensure that you are maintaining good oral hygiene. Visiting your dentist 3 times a year for a check is a good idea. Also, correct ill-fitting dentures if any.
- Increase your daily intake of water.