Pain in certain areas of the tongue

The pain can affect the whole tongue or just parts of it. The localization is very important to be able to deduce the correct cause. Sometimes only the tip or side of the tongue is affected, the back/base of the tongue or other areas.

Pain under the tongue is usually accompanied by severe swelling, redness or local warming. The reasons for this can be many and varied. Often a lack of minerals and vitamins is the reason for a sore tongue.

Furthermore, injuries, infections, aphthae, general illnesses or even oral cancer can be the causes. A frequent case is also a blocked excretory duct of one of the salivary glands. The paired salivary glands on the ears, under the tongue and on the lower jaw produce the most saliva per day.

They enter the oral cavity through an excretory duct. If this is blocked, swelling and congestion will occur. The skin around the salivary gland is often reddened and swollen and hurts, especially under pressure.

A doctor should be consulted to remove the blockage. Allergies, neuralgia (nerve pain), smoking or even dental problems can also affect the tongue and cause pain. A frequent case is also a blocked duct of one of the salivary glands.

The paired salivary glands on the ears, under the tongue and on the lower jaw produce the most saliva per day. They enter the oral cavity through an excretory duct. If this is blocked, swelling and congestion will occur.

The skin around the salivary gland is often reddened and swollen and hurts, especially under pressure. A doctor should be consulted to remove the blockage. Allergies, neuralgia (nerve pain), smoking or even dental problems can also affect the tongue and cause pain.

If the pain is located exclusively at the tip of the tongue, the cause is usually mechanical stimuli. These include bruises or injuries caused by sharp edges, for example on prosthetic fittings or a glass when drinking. For example, if you have bitten your tongue or burned yourself on something hot, the pain in the tip of the tongue can persist for several days after the injury without you seeing anything on the outside.

Another possibility as a cause for the pain in the tip of the tongue is the presence of one or more small aphtae in the area of the tip of the tongue. These are small vesicles that are very painful, especially when touched. The aphtae are visible to the naked eye.

In this case, non-prescription ointments and creams can help to relieve the pain a little. The front 2/3 of the tongue is sensitively supplied by the lingual nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve. Irritation of this nerve is therefore possible in case of pain in the front part of the tongue.

If the pain in the tip of the tongue persists, it is recommended to consult a doctor who can find the cause.Pain at the edge of the tongue is often caused by mechanical stimuli such as bruising or sharp-edged prosthetic restorations. The constant rubbing against the restoration causes small, barely visible injuries, which can sometimes cause severe pain. The thickest and rearmost part of the tongue, which is located in the back third of the oral cavity, is called the root of the tongue or Radix linguae.

The lingual tonsil (tonsilla lingualis) is located in this area. This is a part of the immune system and can be swollen and reddened in case of inflammation. Tonsillitis is very common.

In this case, pain can occur in the area of the root of the tongue. In the case of a mild inflammation, herbal medicines are suitable, while for more serious inflammations an antibiotic should be prescribed by a doctor. Pain in the area of the root of the tongue is usually accompanied by difficulty swallowing or pain in the throat and pharynx.

Hormone fluctuations or a tumor in the area of the root of the tongue can also cause pain in the tongue, throat and neck area. In general, however, in most cases it is tonsillitis. Nevertheless, it is advisable to consult an ear, nose and throat specialist who can make a clear diagnosis.

Furthermore, it can be tested whether there is any irritation of the glossopharyngeal nerve. This nerve supplies the back third of the tongue sensitively. The base of the tongue is the rearmost fixed part of the tongue.

It is located between the epiglottis and the mobile part of the tongue. The lingual tonsil is also located in this area and its inflammation can cause pain here as well. The starting organs for squamous cell carcinomas or tumors in the oral cavity are the tonsils and the base of the tongue.

So if pain occurs in these areas, it is very important to consult a doctor. Tumors usually do not hurt, but early clarification is very important. Smoking and alcohol consumption are the main causes of this disease.

Care should always be taken to minimize the risk factors. Pain in the area of the base of the tongue often occurs with further symptoms. These include difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, hotness, scratching of the throat and a feeling of inflammation.

Often these symptoms can also be an indication of a tongue base hyperplasia. This means that the base of the tongue is greatly enlarged, as the cell count has risen sharply due to an increased division rate. Hyperplasia can lead to respiratory distress.

Therefore, a physician must assess whether the hyperplasia requires treatment or not. The hyoid bone (Os hyoideum or hyoid) is a small bone surrounded by ligaments and muscles, which lies between the larynx and the lower jaw below the tongue. It is essential for breathing, swallowing and speaking.

Diseases of the hyoid bone are rather rare. The reason for the pain in this area could be inflammation or tumors. Since the bone is surrounded by and attached to muscles and ligaments, muscle tension can be present, which can lead to pain, reduced mobility and difficulty swallowing.

Swallowing difficulties can have many different causes. These include allergies, organic causes, neuralgia, psychological factors or infectious diseases. In most cases, swallowing difficulties are caused by swollen tissue.

Depending on where the swelling is located, untreated it can lead to life-threatening breathing problems. One example is basic lingual hyperplasia. Depending on its severity, this swelling with cell growth must be treated surgically. Aphthae can also cause pain in the tongue. These are usually accompanied by difficulty swallowing and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.