tongue

We use our tongues to talk, drink, and eat. Any time they get hurt, it can feel like the pain is magnified ten-fold. Usually, pain on the underside of the tongue is caused by a minor injury or ailment and isn’t cause for too much concern. Here are 5 reasons the underside of your tongue may hurt.

#1 - Injury from a Bite

Nearly everyone has accidentally bitten his or her tongue, probably more than once. It can hurt, but the pain usually subsides in a few minutes. Depending on where and how it was bitten, it could hurt more on the underside of the tongue, especially if the bite was the result of a fall or a blow that caused you to bite down inadvertently. Irritation may continue for a few days if your taste buds – the small bumps on the tongue – are injured from the bite and become infected and inflamed.

#2 – Irritation from Foods or Foreign Objects

Common orthodontic devices like dentures and braces can cause tongue pain and irritation if they don’t fit quite right. Often the irritation occurs when someone has just gotten their braces or dentures, and they are still adjusting. Both braces and dentures can cause sores or cuts on the tongue and inside of the mouth that can be remedied by gargling with salt water or using over the counter oral gels or pain relievers.

Irritation can also come from foods, particularly those served at a high temperature like hot cocoa or soup or those that are spicy. Accidentally sipping or biting into something that’s too hot can cause the tongue to feel burned and to become red and swollen. Most tongue burns from too-hot foods are first-degree burns that heal quickly, but more severe burns should be seen and treated by a doctor. Spicy foods can make the tongue feel as if it’s burning and can exacerbate other conditions.

#3 - Canker Sore

Canker sores can develop on the tongue, underneath the tongue, or on the inside of the mouth. The cause is unknown, but they look like a small crater and may be red with white and yellow in the center. Canker sores can be related to irritation and injury from braces or biting the tongue, but may also be triggered by other factors, including stress. They usually stop hurting in 7-10 days and are completely gone within a few weeks.

#4 - Strained Tongue

The tongue is one of the strongest muscles in the body. It’s rare for it to become strained because it’s accustomed to nearly constant use from eating, talking and drinking, but it is possible. A strained tongue would be most likely to occur from overexertion or overuse of the muscle.

#5 – Glossitis, or Inflamed Tongue

Glossitis is inflammation of the tongue that is often the symptom of another issue. Acute glossitis has a sudden onset, usually stemming from an allergic reaction. Chronic glossitis, on the other hand, is recurring and generally signals an underlying health issue. Allergic reactions or irritation from food or medication, low iron levels, mouth trauma, dental appliances like braces or dentures, dry mouth, and certain diseases are all potential causes of different types of glossitis.

There are many reasons people may experience pain on the underside of the tongue Most of them are not serious and will go away within a few days or, at most, a few weeks. Tongue pain, however, can be the sign of a serious underlying medical issue. Always consult with a dentist to ensure that the pain isn’t the result of a severe problem, like a viral infection or even tongue cancer. Reach out to us today to find out what may be causing pain on the underside of your tongue!

Finding a strange change in your mouth can be scary. You might not know why a mark has appeared, how long it will be there, or what it is. Since it could be a variety of different things, ranging from harmless to more serious, it’s important to visit a dentist or doctor when you find an unfamiliar sore or spot in your mouth.
In the meantime, you might want to get a better idea of two common but very different types of oral issues that often get confused: mouth cancer and canker sores. Today, our dentists are going to break down the difference between mouth cancer and canker sores so that you can better identify what’s going on in your mouth.

What Mouth Cancer Looks Like

Surprising to many, mouth cancer can grow in your mouth just like it can anywhere else in your body. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), those who use tobacco and/or drink are more likely to develop mouth cancer, as are people over the age of 44 and, more specifically, men. HPV is also the leading cause of cancer at the very back of the mouth and throat (technically known as oropharyngeal cancer).
Mouth cancer typically affects your cheeks, lips, tongue, or throat. It usually shows up as flat, white patches on any of those areas. These patches are made up of cells that can lead to cancer. Mixed red and white patches and bright red patches are also signs of trouble.
Mouth cancer patches can be rough and hard to scrape off. These areas can also be benign, but it’s always important to have a dentist check to make sure.
Mouthcancer.org also notes that painless ulcers, or canker sores, that don’t heal can be a form of mouth cancer.  The ADA suggests getting your mouth checked out if signs and symptoms of mouth cancer persist after two weeks.
Finally, cancer in the throat may cause symptoms such as difficult or painful swallowing, a swollen but painless tonsil, an ongoing sore throat or hoarse voice, a painless lump on the outside of your neck that has been there for at least two weeks, and constant coughing, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.

What Canker Sores Look Like

Unlike mouth cancer, minor canker sores are virtually harmless, except for the annoying discomfort they can cause your mouth. They may be caused by several things, including stress, hormonal shifts, food sensitivities, and toothpaste, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The defining difference between canker sores and mouth cancer is pain. Canker sores can be extremely painful. Thankfully, the pain tends to lessen over a few days, and the sore usually heals up by itself within two weeks.
Canker sores also look different than patchy mouth cancer. A canker sore looks like an ulcer or sore. They are typically round with a depressed center and may appear to be white, grey or yellow. The outer rim of the canker sore is typically red.
If you have a canker sore that doesn’t heal within three weeks, you should see a dentist, according to DentalHealth.org. Mouth cancer can appear in the form of an ulcer.
Do you have a sore you would like us to take a look at in Chicago? Contact Water Tower Dental Care! We’re experts on identifying mouth cancer vs. canker sores.

When it comes to any kind of oral discomfort, there are always many potential reasons for the pain. However, almost always, the pain can be determined as an issue with the teeth, gums, or tongue. When specified to those three, you can narrow down the possible causes of the pain.

Toothache
When experiencing toothache your symptoms will include a sharp, throbbing, or constant pain on the tooth. There may be swelling around the tooth and bad-tasting drainage that secretes from the infected area. Toothaches are also capable of causing headaches and fevers if not properly treated.
When experience a toothache, you should visit a dentist if the pain lasts longer the 1 to 2 days, or you start to experience a fever, earache, or migraine. Of course, if the pain is excruciating, don't worry about waiting an extra day in hopes the pain will subside: immediately seek medical attention.
The most likely causes of a toothache include severe tooth decay, an abscessed tooth, a tooth fracture, or a loose or damaged filling. There may be other issues that can also occur, however, the aforementioned causes are, more likely than not, the main culprits.
When visiting the dentist for a toothache, your doctor will first consult you about your pain to help pinpoint symptoms and the location of the problem. Your dentist will ask where it hurts, what causes the pain, how and when it started, and how severe the pain is. Next your dentist will examine your mouth, gums, tongue, jaws, throat, and further depending on the symptoms you reported. Depending on the situation, the doctor may also take X-Rays of the teeth to determine the cause.
Depending on the cause, your dentist can perform several medical procedures to relive the pain. Most likely, the pain is caused from tooth decay and a cavity. Your dentist can fill the tooth, or extract the tooth if necessary. Often a root canal or crown is needed if the tooth is fractured or chipped.
Gum Problems
Gum problems such as sore, swollen, and/or bleeding gums are almost always caused by periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. More than three-quarters of Americans over the age of 35 will experience gum disease or its less severe form, gingivitis.
The cause of gum disease and swollen, sore, or bleeding gums is directly related to proper oral hygiene. Brushing, flossing, and a bacteria-killing mouthwash can all help keep your mouth clean and free of harmful bacteria.
Some of the symptoms caused by gum disease include formation of pockets between the teeth and gums where bacteria subsides, bleeding gums during or after brushing your teeth, loose teeth, bad breath, receding gums, and swollen or sore gums.
It is wise to address any of these symptoms rather quickly as the longer you wait, the more severe the disease can become. This can result is weakened teeth, inflamed gums, are serious oral issues. When bacteria grows and is over-abundant it will begin to move to your jaw line and even further into your blood stream causing severe infection.
Another common cause of sore gums comes from canker sores. These sores, or mouth ulcers, can be found inside the mouth on an area of the gums. They are a painful bump often with a white center and red edges. While the exact cause of canker sores is still undetermined, all dentists agree that they are less likely to happen with the practicing of proper oral hygiene.
Tongue Problems
Tongue issues are often much more serious than gum and teeth. The gum is often referred to as the strongest muscle in the body. So when it becomes swollen, sore, or discolored, you can potentially have a serious situation at hand. However, there are several reasonable explanations for sore tongues as well.
The simplest explanation for a sore tongue can come from accidentally biting the tongue and not knowing you did so. If the pain is in a central area and is swollen, be careful not to irritate it. If the pain subsides rather quickly, you should have nothing to worry about. If your tongue is discolored, especially with a white, filmy substance, it may just be the formation of too much plaque. In those cases, proper oral hygiene and the use of a tongue scraper (PLEASE ADD LINK), can be the solution.
More serious issues can include Lukoplakia, which causes cells in the mouth to grow rapidly and form white patches inside the mouth. Lukoplakia is often occurs after the tongue is irritated, typically when people use tobacco products. While not extremely serious, if not properly treated, leukoplakia can lead to cancer.
Another potential issue when you experience a sore or discolored tongue can be oral thrush, also known as candidiasis. This condition is a yeast infection that occurs within the mouth and creates white, lumpy patches on the surface of the tongue. Though most often seen in infants and the elderly, any person with a weakened immune system can receive this condition.
Often oral thrush happens after the use of antibiotics, which can flush out the good bacteria that rests in your mouth. Kombucha and yogurt can both help restore the bacteria in your mouth that will prevent oral thrush.
Another tongue issue that can happen often is known as Red or Strawberry tongue. The result is a normal colored tongue turning a bright red or even resembles the texture of a strawberry with enlarged bumps and dotting.
There are several reasons for red or strawberry tongue including folic acid and B-12 deficiencies, scarlet fever, and kawasaki syndrome. Benign migratory glossitis is often the most common cause, which causes a map-like pattern of red spots on the surface of the tongue. Because of such, it is often referred to as geographic tongue. This is a harmless condition, which usually last no longer than 2 weeks. It is wise to consult a dentist however so they can detect for certain that it is benign migratory glossitis. If so, your dentist may recommend a topical medication to help with any discomfort.
Black Hairy Tongue can occur when the small bumps on the surface of your tongue known as papillae become excessively long. A typically mouth will wear down papillae through its lifetime while patients with black hairy tongue will see an increase in size over time. This makes your tongue more likely to contract infection from harboring bacteria. If bacteria begin to grow the papillae will become darker and resemble hair. Though this is mostly a harmless condition, proper oral hygiene is encouraged to keep the issue at bay.
For all conditions including teeth, gum, and tongues, the best method of defense is proper oral hygiene. Brush your teeth two to three times daily, floss once a day, and employ a tongue scraped and mouthwash when needed. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol. Eat a proper diet that includes a high amount of fruits and vegetables. And, as always, visit a dentist twice a year for cleaning and inspection.
If you have any more questions on the causes of pain on the teeth, gums, and tongue, contact Water Tower Dental. We can direct you toward the rights steps for care and help set up an appointment to see one of our expert dentists.

When it comes to oral hygiene, Water Tower Dental encourages daily brushing and flossing along with biannual dental cleanings and check ups. Clearing harmful bacteria out of the mouth will help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, but what about your breath? Although brushing a flossing can help keep the bacteria that cause bad breath away from your teeth and gums, there's still a chance you'll have bad breath. That's because many of the bacteria can camp out on your tongue. Cue the tongue scraper, a leading tool in keeping harmful bacteria off your tongue.

Ever wake up in the morning and take a good look at your tongue? You may notice a white or murky yellow build up near the throat. That is from the mouth having insufficient amount of water to flush bacteria out of your mouth over the long night. Those tiny ridges and bumps on the surface of the tongue are the perfect breeding ground for volatile sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide: the main ingredients to bad breath. While mouthwash or using your toothbrush to scrub at the tongue can help, bacteria can still hide in the spongy gaps of your tongue. A tongue scraper however, is much more efficient.
There are several different designs of a tongue scraper (also referred to as a tongue brush or tongue cleaner), but their objective is still the same. Tongue cleaners- unlike toothbrushes- are designed for the purpose of lifting and trapping the plaque coating and removing it from the tongue.
The user will reach as far back on the tongue as possible, place the scraper down, and pull forward. It is recommended to repeat several times.
A regular user of a tongue brush might not get the assurance of seeing the white or murky yellow plaque be scraped from their tongue. But rest assured that with each scrap, you're keeping a colony of bacteria out of your mouth. In a study by the NCBI, tongue scrapers showed a 75 percent reduction of volatile sulfur compounds compared to a 45 percent reduction with a toothbrush. That means is a tongue scraper can guarantee cleaner, fresher breath.
A tongue scraper will not just help your bad breath though. A tongue scraper helps remove ama from the tongue. Ama is sanskrit meaning anything that is undigested. Specifically for your mouth, undigested food. Old remnants of food, just like plaque, can build up along the tongue. The more build up you have, however, the less your taste buds can detect flavors of food. By using a tongue scraper, you can actually help your tongue taste food better. That's a great plus for anyone who loves a good meal.
As well, tongue scrapers are great for the overall hygiene of your mouth. By removing bacteria and plaque from your tongue you're limiting the amount of bacteria that can spread throughout your entire mouth. This will help with general oral hygiene.
If you're looking for the ultimate fighting tool against bad breath, after following the basic practices of oral hygiene, we recommend investing in a tongue scraper. They're a great way to keep bacteria and unwanted plaque out of the mouth for cleaner, fresher breath.