Your tongue helps you chew and swallow food and enables you to speak. A painful or swollen tongue can make these routine activities difficult, impacting your quality of life. Pain can stem from something as simple as biting your tongue or something more serious, like an underlying medical condition.
What causes tongue pain?
A painful tongue is hard to ignore, whether it’s the side, the tip, or the back of your tongue. There are various reasons why you might be experiencing discomfort. Common causes of tongue pain include:
Oral thrush: A fungal infection caused by candida albicans, oral thrush can lead to tongue pain. This condition often presents as white patches on the tongue and inner cheeks, accompanied by soreness and burning sensations. It’s most commonly seen in infants or older people.
Glossitis: This condition involves inflammation of the tongue, which causes pain, swelling, and changes to the tongue’s color or texture. Glossitis can result from an allergic reaction, infection, or nutritional deficiency.
Geographic tongue: This is a type of glossitis that may appear alarming but is harmless. The condition causes smooth, red patches with white borders on the tongue’s surface. It is called geographic tongue because the patches make your tongue look like a map. Even though it’s often painless, some individuals may experience discomfort or burning sensations, especially when consuming spicy or acidic foods.
Burning mouth syndrome: This complex disorder, sometimes called burning tongue syndrome, causes a burning sensation on your tongue and other areas of the mouth. Other symptoms include increased thirst, dry mouth, and changes in taste. The condition may appear suddenly or gradually. Nerve damage, hormonal changes, or side effects from medication can cause it.
Oral cancer: In rare cases, persistent tongue pain may be a sign of oral cancer. You may notice a non-healing sore or lump on the tongue, accompanied by pain and difficulty swallowing.
An ENT doctor spends 4 years at college, 4 years at medical school, and then 5 to 7 years after that in a residency program specializing in otolaryngology — head and neck surgery. Our board-certified ENTs pass written and oral exams and participate in continuous education to maintain their certification. When you visit one of our Arizona locations, you can trust you're seeing one of the most qualified specialists in the region and that your care will be second to none.
When To See a Physician
Changes to the tongue’s feeling or appearance are relatively common and are usually no cause for concern. If you’re experiencing severe pain or have symptoms that persist for more than a week or two, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider.
Diagnosing the Cause of Tongue Pain
An ENT specialist may be able to diagnose what’s causing your tongue pain by discussing your symptoms and thoroughly examining the mouth and tongue to check for abnormalities, lesions, or discoloration. They may also ask about your diet and oral hygiene habits.
Additional diagnostic tools may include a biopsy of a small tissue sample if the specialist finds a suspicious lesion, blood tests to identify possible underlying conditions, and allergy testing.
Treating Tongue Pain
Because the causes of tongue pain vary widely, the proper treatment approach depends on the diagnosis. Treatment options include:
Antifungal medications: Lozenges, tablets, or mouthwashes are typically prescribed to eliminate the fungal infection causing oral thrush.
Topical treatments: Over-the-counter or prescription topical treatments, such as gels or rinses, can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation in conditions like glossitis or geographic tongue.
Nutritional supplements: If tongue pain is related to nutritional deficiencies, your doctor may recommend vitamin or mineral supplements to address the underlying issue.
Pain management: For chronic conditions like burning mouth syndrome, pain management strategies may include topical anesthetics, low-dose antidepressants, or anticonvulsants to help control nerve pain.
Lifestyle modifications: Avoiding irritants such as spicy foods, alcohol, and tobacco can help reduce tongue pain. Maintaining good oral hygiene and staying hydrated are also important.
If oral cancer is diagnosed, treatment may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these approaches, depending on the stage and location of the cancer.
Being prepared will help you get the most out of your appointment. Please bring a list of medications you're currently taking and any pertinent test results—such as labs or imaging—to your appointment. Additionally, let your provider know of any drug allergies or medical conditions you have or for which you are being treated and if you've had any prior surgical procedures.
Visit Our ENT Specialists
Tongue pain can significantly impact quality of life, but we can effectively manage most cases with proper diagnosis and treatment. If you’re experiencing persistent tongue pain, it’s essential to consult with an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) at one of our Arizona locations for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment plan.