What if the tongue blisters are painless and do not heal for a long time. Then, all of a sudden, you start noticing a change in the lesion.
The tongue is a roadmap to general health
The Tongue serves many functions. It helps us to speak, eat, taste, chew and swallow food. Therefore, any sore or blister on the tongue can have a detrimental impact on our well being. Tongue blisters are usually a result of trauma or infection. In contrast, most of the blisters on the tongue are harmless and resolve without any significant intervention.
What causes tongue blisters
Sometimes, eating crunchy or oily food like potato chips can cause cuts and blisters on the tongue. Accidentally bite your tongue when eating, or burn the surface of the tongue on a hot drink. But traumatic blisters don’t last long and heal within 7-10 days.
Cankers sore or aphthous sore are also common causes of tongue blistering. They usually appear on the underside of the tongue. The exact cause is not known for these lesions but is often agitated by allergies, stress, infections, vitamin deficiencies and hormonal changes.
Cold sores are infectious and highly contagious caused by the HSV-1 virus. Although predominantly they occur around lips, occasionally blisters can occur on the tongue. Cold sores are quite common, and for most people, it is not a serious problem.
Blisters can be more than you think
Other causes of tongue blisters include papilloma, ectopic thyroid, hemangioma or autoimmune diseases such as lichen planus. In sporadic cases, swelling could be a sign of grave disease or cancer. Hence, it is pertinent to get an evaluation from a dentist or doctor if sore or blister does not heal for a long time and if you experience any changes in the lesion. Smokers and betel nut users are more susceptible to such lesions.
What you need to do
As the majority of tongue blisters are harmless but can be painful. You can easily manage discomfort at home. Over the counter painkillers such as acetaminophen, antiseptic mouthwashes, and supplements are sometimes helpful. Avoiding food that causes allergies, eating a healthy diet that provides sufficient vitamins and minerals, keeping adequate oral hygiene and brushing the tongue regularly will also help heal faster.
