Dr. Kanani Darshan Jayantilal
Family Physician
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I have been suffering from a sore tongue for over two years now. It is mostly on my right side. I have some squishy white bumps on the right side of my tongue that have not grown or changed since I first noticed them over two years ago. I have one on the left side too squishy and never changed. The soreness is not always there and it can go away for days sometime. Eating and drinking soothe the soreness. My tongue sometimes feels swollen but I can eat, drink, talk, and swallow fine. I do have some sharp teeth on my right side and I often find myself with my jaw tightly shut. I do show symptoms of vitamin B 12 deficiency but have not been tested for it. I do not smoke or drink alcohol. I sleep well I do not suffer night sweats or unintentional weight loss. I have anxiety and I am constantly stressed. I also have irritable bowel syndrome that affects me badly.
Please advise.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
The sore tongue you have been experiencing for over two years with squishy white bumps on the right side that have not grown or changed may be related to a few different conditions. One possibility is a condition called oral lichen planus, which is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the mucous membranes of the mouth. Symptoms of oral lichen planus include soreness or pain in the mouth, as well as white, lacy patches or sores on the tongue and other parts of the mouth. Another possibility is the geographic tongue, which is a condition characterized by irregularly shaped, red areas on the tongue with a white or yellow border. This condition can cause a sore or burning sensation on the tongue. The fact that you have sharp teeth on the right side of your mouth and you often find yourself with your jaw tightly shut may also contribute to the soreness you are experiencing. This may be related to a condition called bruxism, which is the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, especially during sleep. This can cause soreness and inflammation in the mouth, as well as headaches and jaw pain. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause soreness and inflammation of the tongue, known as glossitis, as well as other symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and tingling in the hands and feet. Given your symptoms, I recommend that you go for CBC (complete blood count) vitamin B12, and other basic tests. Also, go to the dentist. If the dentist suspects that your sore tongue is related to bruxism, they may recommend a mouth guard or other treatments to help relieve the symptoms. In the meantime, you may find relief by avoiding foods that are spicy or acidic, which can irritate the tongue, and practicing stress-reducing techniques such as meditation or yoga to help manage your anxiety and stress levels.
I hope this information is helpful, and I wish you the best of luck in finding relief for your symptoms.
Feel free to contact me for further queries.
Please rate me if you found my answer helpful.
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Family Physician
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