Aphthous ulcer or canker sores are the most common type of mouth ulcer. They usually appear on the inside of the cheek or lip and are usually yellowish or white with red inflamed tissue around them. It is possible to develop a canker sore anywhere inside the oral cavity, including the base of the gums, soft palate, and tongue. Having a canker sore on tongue and do not know how to relieve the pain? Keep reading to learn more about it.

Types of Canker Sores

You may develop a simple canker sore or a complex one. You will notice a simple canker sore to reemerge 3-4 times a year and is more common in people between 10-20 years of age. A complex canker sore usually affects people who may have had it in the past. Both types of sores usually heal within 1-3 weeks and are not contagious. A sore may take longer to heal, but pain usually subsides within a couple of weeks.

Not the Same as Cold Sores

It is important to understand that a canker sore is not exactly the same as a cold sore. Cold sores are the result of a viral infection, appear as a group of painful, fluid-filled blisters and are extremely contagious. The most common location for cold sores to appear is under the nose,chin, and around the lips; whereas canker sores only appear inside the mouth.

What Causes Canker Sores on Tongue?

What causes canker sores is not clear, but experts believe that your immune system has something to do with it. Other factors such as menstruation, emotional stress, or injury to the mouth may also cause simple canker sores to develop. If you wear a dental appliance or have a sharp tooth surface, you may also develop canker sores.

You may also develop a canker sore on tongue because of an underlying health condition. Nutritional problems such as zinc, vitamin B-12, and iron deficiency; impaired immune system; or gastrointestinal tract disease such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease can all lead to a canker sore appearing.

How to Deal With Canker Sores on Tongue

You can try several home remedies and even find medical treatments to deal with a canker sore on tongue. Here are a few suggestions for you to consider.

Home Remedies

You may always try home remedies to accelerate healing. Canker sores usually heal on their own, but trying out certain remedies will help relieve pain and discomfort.

• Add a teaspoon of baking soda or salt to half cup of warm water and use it to rinse your mouth.
• Take milk of magnesia and dap a very small amount of it on your sore a few times a day.
• Avoid eating acidic, abrasive, or spicy food while your sore is still healing.
• Take small ice chips and place them over your canker sores.
• Brush your teeth regularly with gentle force – use a soft brush and toothpaste without any foaming agent.

There are also other remedies to heal your canker sore on tongue faster:

1. Chamomile tea bag

Chamomile helps promote relaxation, induce sleep, and even helps with digestion. It also contains a compound called bisabolol that plays a big role in reducing inflammation. It has antiseptic properties and helps reduces pain caused by canker sores. Take a bag of chamomile tea and soak it in water for a minute or so. Soak it thoroughly and then place against your sore for 5-10 minutes to promote healing.

2. Coconut oil

It works because it has anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. Take a cotton swab and soak it in coconut oil. Now, place it directly onto the sore and leave it there for some time.

3. Honey rub

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, raw organic honey works amazingly well to help you get rid of your canker sore. Start by swishing some warm water in your mouth. Then, take organic raw honey and apply a thick layer onto your sore. Repeat twice a day, especially before you go to bed at night.

4.  You can find several over-the-counter and prescription creams, pastes, liquids, and gels to relieve pain and accelerate healing. Opt for products that have active ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, fluocinonide, or benzocaine.

Medical Treatment

You usually do not require any medical treatment for canker sores because they respond quite well to simple home remedies. However, if you experience persistent or unusually painful canker sore on tongue, you may try some medical treatment options.

• You can use medicated mouth rinses to relieve pain. They contain the steroid dexamethasone that reduces inflammation and pain.
• Take oral medications when your sores do not respond well to topical treatments. Your doctor may prescribe medications such as sucralfate, which is usually used for the treatment of intestinal ulcer. Sometimes, you need to take oral steroid medications to treat severely painful canker sores – be sure to discuss side effects of these medications with your doctor before taking them.
• You may get canker sores due to nutritional deficiency and your doctor may prescribe a supplement to provide you with more vitamin B6, folate, zinc, or vitamin B12 to help prevent canker sores.
• You may consider cautery of sores that involves using a chemical substance or instrument to sear, burn, or destroy tissue. Debacterol is a commonly used topical solution for canker sores – it helps cauterize canker sores chemically and accelerates healing. Silver nitrate is another option.

When to See a Doctor

You should contact your doctor if:

• This is the first time you develop canker sore on tongue.
• Your sore is larger than a centimeter across.
• You have started getting more sores all of a sudden.
• You have other symptoms such as joint pain, rashes, diarrhea, and fever.