A sore spot on the side of the tongue is often from biting, a canker sore, or irritation from a tooth. See a doctor if it lasts more than two weeks.
Common causes
- Biting or burning the tongue.
- Canker sore (aphthous ulcer).
- Rubbing against a sharp tooth, braces or dentures.
- Teeth grinding.
- Oral thrush, geographic tongue and irritation from hot food.
- Vitamin B12, iron or folate deficiency.
Home care
Rinse with salt water, avoid spicy and acidic foods, and use a topical gel.
See a doctor or dentist if
- A sore lasts more than 2 weeks.
- There is a lump, red or white patch.
- Bleeding or numbness.
Note
The American Cancer Society says persistent tongue sores can be a sign of oral cancer.
Prevention
Good oral hygiene and dental checkups.
Why the side of the tongue hurts
The tongue has a rich nerve supply and a thin, delicate surface, so small injuries hurt a lot. The sides are in contact with teeth and are the most common sites of irritation. Most causes are minor and heal within one to two weeks.
Common causes of side tongue pain
- Accidental biting or a burn from hot food.
- Canker sores (aphthous ulcers), which are small, white or yellow with a red border, and affect about 20% of people at some point.
- Rubbing from a sharp tooth, a broken filling, braces or dentures.
- Teeth grinding or clenching, which can leave scalloped edges.
- Enlarged taste buds, sometimes called lie bumps, which are irritated papillae.
- Oral thrush, a yeast infection causing white patches.
- Geographic tongue, with map like patches.
- Vitamin deficiencies, including B12, iron and folate, which cause a red, smooth sore tongue.
- Burning mouth syndrome, often in postmenopausal women.
Serious causes
An ulcer or lump that does not heal after 2 weeks, a white or red patch, or painless hardness on the side of the tongue should be checked. The side of the tongue is the most common site for oral cancer, which is more likely in smokers, heavy drinkers and people with HPV. According to the American Cancer Society, about 54,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cavity and throat cancer a year.
Home care
- Rinse with warm salt water, half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water, a few times a day.
- Avoid spicy, acidic, salty and hot foods until healed.
- Apply an over the counter numbing gel or protective paste for canker sores.
- Use a soft toothbrush and gentle toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulfate.
- Suck on ice or cool foods for burns.
See a doctor or dentist if
Pain lasts longer than 2 weeks, an ulcer is larger than a centimeter, it bleeds, you have trouble swallowing, you feel numbness, or fever and swollen glands appear. Ask a dentist to smooth any sharp tooth edge.
Prevention
Chew slowly, treat reflux and teeth grinding, use a night guard if you grind, avoid tobacco and limit alcohol. Eat a balanced diet with enough B vitamins and iron.
Causes by appearance
Painful spots on the sides of the tongue are often canker sores, which are white or yellow ulcers with a red border that heal in 1 to 2 weeks. Biting the tongue, rough teeth edges or dental appliances cause irritation. Geographic tongue creates map-like patches that may burn. Lichen planus, oral thrush and vitamin B12 or iron deficiency cause soreness. A persistent painful lump or ulcer on the side of the tongue lasting over 2 to 3 weeks needs examination, since the lateral border is the most common site for oral cancer. Smoking and heavy alcohol use raise that risk.
Based on data from the American Dental Association and the Oral Cancer Foundation
