What causes ulcers of the tongue

What causes ulcers of the tongue

the tongue

The tongue is a muscle located inside the oral chamber, covered with a moist tissue pink and pink, with small papillae give the tongue distinctive texture, and within these papillae taste buds, a pool of nerve cells connected to the brain, and the tongue is an important member and essential to do many functions, Swallowing, chewing, and talking.

Causes of tongue ulcers

Oral ulcers generally appear in a round or elliptic form on the tongue, lip or cheek. These ulcers are swollen, white, yellow, red, or gray, and it is normal for more than one ulcer to appear inside the mouth, or the ulcer can spread and grow. There are many reasons that lead to the occurrence of ulcers of the tongue, and the most important reasons for the emergence of oral ulcers in general, including the tongue as follows:

  • Any area of ​​the mouth is exposed to an accident or a sharp object strike.
  • Foot ulcers are the most common types of ulcers, which are not specifically known.
  • Do not keep your mouth clean.
  • Burns caused by eating hot foods.
  • Lack of nutrients such as vitamin B12, zinc and iron.
  • Irritability resulting from the use of mouthwash.
  • Quitting smoking, as quitting smoking leads to ulcers at first, which heal on their own later.
  • Stress and stress.
  • Fungal and viral infections.

There are also some diseases associated with ulcers such as Celiac disease, a gastrointestinal disorder caused by an immune response in the small intestine due to gluten, AIDS, tuberculosis, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease. bowel disease). In addition, the tumor appears in the form of an ulcer gradually increasing in size. It is common in smokers and alcoholics. Among these cancers is tongue cancer, which is divided into two main types, which are classified according to their location, The first type is at the front of the tongue, which is the part that a person can take out. The second type of tongue cancer is the one that afflicts the back of the tongue, the part that connects the tongue to the throat. This type of cancer is usually discovered after it extends to the decade Lymph Yeh (in English: Lymph nodes) in the neck.

Tongue ulcers

There are many types of tongue ulcers, the most important of which are the following:

  • Foot ulcers: Canker sores, a common small sore, appear periodically in the mouth or tongue. There is no known cause of this type of ulcer, which is not contagious, and this ulcer causes discomfort in eating and speech. There are two main types For the foot and mouth ulcers are:
    • Simple ulcers: appear three to four times a year, and continue to appear at one time for a week, usually in people aged 10-20 years.
    • Complex foot ulcers: This type is less frequent than simple foot ulcers, and is more common in people who have been infected previously.
  • Cold sore: It is caused by herpes virus, which appears on the lips more commonly than on the tongue.

Symptoms of tongue ulcers

Symptoms and signs of ulcers depend on the cause of the ulcers. However, there are some common signs and symptoms, such as feeling irritated and painful when eating hot or hot foods, and the presence of ulcers may be accompanied by inflammation at the edges and it is difficult for the patient to clean his teeth when there is such Ulcers, and the patient may lose appetite for food as well.

Treatment of tongue ulcers

For the treatment of dental ulcers there are many ways to follow the most important use of the following:

  • Steroid gel: It is prescribed by the doctor, and is used to speed up the healing of ulcers.
  • Silver nitrate: The doctor puts this article on ulcers in order to accelerate the process of healing and reduce the pain resulting from it.
  • Lidocaine Gel: Helps relieve pain instantly and temporarily.
  • Vitamin B: It is used in cases of vitamin B deficiency.
  • Surgery: Surgery is used to remove tongue tumors or white smudges (Leukoplakia).
  • Antibiotics: They are given in cases of signs of infection, such as feeling more pain or turning the ulcer into red.

One of the things that the patient may do and help him to treat the ulcers is to drink good amounts of fluids, because the drought exacerbates the problem, and the patient to stay away from hot foods and hot for a period of time to heal the ulceration and heal, and the patient can use the mouthwash or medication With saline water, and the patient to maintain the cleanliness of the oral chamber. If ulcers are caused by viral or fungal infections, the patient may use antiviral drugs or fungal antibiotics. Licorice, which has anti-ulcer and infection properties, can be used. If pain is not controlled, analgesics such as paracetamol may be taken.

Prevention of tongue ulcers

To prevent mouth ulcers or oral ulcers in general, the patient must maintain the health and safety of the mouth, by washing the teeth with a soft toothbrush twice a day, as well as the use of dental thread, and periodic visits to the dentist, and try to reduce the level of tension and stress, The patient should perform a periodic check to ensure that there are no diseases or health problems.