Suggest Remedy For Painful Lesions On The Tongue

Posted on Tue, 23 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 Answered on

Tue, 14 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, i just came back from camping trip with friends, the site had restaurants and medical facility. I popped into the medical facility to query about my white tongue that has become extremely sore. The physician laughed it off and said its a 'furry tongue' and i should have better dental hygiene...But I brush twice a day, floss etc? In any case, he said it would dissipate over time and I should brush off the white bits on my tongue, I've done this but now its left extremely painful raw lesions to the point that I can barely eat, I can also see it at the roof of my mouth. I've always struggled with poor immune system. Dont smoke, dont do drugs, go to gym 3 times a week, would like to think I live a healthy life. Have a bridge and couple of dental implants from Rugby.

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
many causes for white tongue

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to healthcaremagic,

I have seen the pic you posted. your tongue looks coated.

Most often white tongue is only due to coating. The coated tongue is never painful. The papillae of the tongue hypertrophy and food particles get caught in between the papillae and coat the tongue white. Coated tongue is also seen in fever, dehydration and mouth breathers. In such cases using a tongue cleaner and maintaining good oral hygiene clears the tongue.

Oral thrush can also present with white tongue. It is usually painful and sores usually present. It is seen in diabetics and immunocompromised patients.

If your tongue has started hurting only after brushing then it is probably only coated. If your tongue was hurting before you tried to clean it vigorously then it is probably thrush.

See doctor again.

Regards,
DR Rajkishori Godhi MS ENT

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj