Bubbles on the Tongue: Treatment and Causes

Who does not know them? Those little, nasty blisters on the tongue, which are mostly completely harmless, but can cause excruciating pain. They often go away on their own within a few days and only temporarily affect those affected. However, some are particularly stubborn and hurt so much that sufferers are temporarily unable to eat proper food. There are a variety of triggers, and sometimes all it takes is accidentally biting your tongue. But there can also be more serious diseases behind it.

What are these bubbles and how are they formed?

There are naturally small bumps on the surface of the tongue. There are different types of the so-called papillae and most contain taste buds. These small bumps are large enough to see with the naked eye, but can sometimes become swollen from irritation, inflammation, or an accidental bite. However, the symptoms usually go away on their own.

Irritation from food, chemicals, malnutrition, smoking, alcohol consumption, plaque build-up, or dental work can also temporarily enlarge the papillae. Other causes of blisters, swelling and ulcers include canker sores, which are traded as a disease in their own right, bacterial infections, immune system disorders or herpes. The cause of aphthae is still not conclusively clarified. Only a few aspects are known that can promote the development of painful blisters. This includes genetic conditions that lead to an accumulation within families, as well as mechanical injuries to the oral mucosa from coarse foods or toothbrushes that are too hard, or burns from warm food or hot drinks. Lesions caused by poorly fitting braces or prostheses, stress on the immune system, drugs, stress and a lack of iron, zinc, folic acid or vitamin B12 are also considered to be promoters of the annoying blisters. Other risk factors are particularly spicy foods and chronic inflammatory bowel disease. In the context of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, the blisters occur as one of the numerous side effects. And taking various medications that cause dry mouth create good conditions for blistering.

Aphthae occur not only on the tongue, but in the entire area of ​​the oral mucosa and are characterized by a whitish coating in the form of vesicles. Since they usually heal on their own, they are usually completely harmless.

What you can do if you get blisters on your tongue Targeted prevention can do a lot in advance. For example, you should avoid known triggers of irritation and inflammation. A mouthguard during sports can prevent you from biting your tongue. In addition, avoiding particularly spicy foods, hard, edgy foods and toothbrushes that are too hard is a preventive option for particularly sensitive mucous membranes.

Once the painful areas are there, rinsing with mouthwash and salt water is recommended for quick wound healing. Natural helpers such as celery or carrot juice and chamomile are also considered to relieve pain. Drinking plenty of water and rinsing the inflamed area with warm salt water also supports the healing process in a natural way. And over-the-counter medications such as oral numbing gels and medications that are applied to the sores are available at the pharmacy.

However, the be-all and end-all is thorough and optimized oral hygiene, since bacteria can delay wound healing. Regular care and cleaning of the oral cavity includes brushing your teeth twice a day with a toothbrush and dental floss. Make sure the toothbrush is of the right hardness to prevent additional irritation and lesions. An antibacterial mouthwash kills germs and a tongue scraper specially developed for the surface of the tongue removes the bacteria that feel particularly comfortable there.