How JustAnswer Works:

 
 
 
  • Ask an Expert
    Experts are full of valuable knowledge and are ready to help with any question. Credentials confirmed by a Fortune 500 verification firm.
  • Get a Professional Answer
    Via email, text message, or notification as you wait on our site.
    Ask follow up questions if you need to.
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
    Rate the answer you receive.
 
 
 
Ask DR. ALEX Your Own Question
DR. ALEX, Dentist
Category: Dental
Positive Feedback: 98.9 %
Satisfied Customers: 1609
Experience: I am a General Dentist and founder of the American School of Dental Assisting
Type Your Dental Question Here...
DR. ALEX is online now
A new question is answered every 9 seconds

My mouth & tongue are sore, the tongue is swollen & sensitive

Resolved Question:

My mouth & tongue are sore, the tongue is swollen & sensitive to heat, it also has a rippled appearance around the edge of it, also the top of it looks cracked, when this first started, I also had hard bumps come up on the inside of my mouth and around the edge of my tongue, the bumps seemed to break & secrete icky tasting stuff, however they never turned into ulcers, I have tried everything from treatment for Thrush, anti-biotics, anti-bacterial mouthwash, and anti virus medication. They even did a swab, which showed normal flora for a mouth. The sores have subsided but the tongue is still sore, & swollen, and there is some numbness around the left side of my lips. I also have trigeminal neurialgia on the left side. I am also wondering if this might be shingles or herpes simplex1.Tongue outWhat to try next????

Submitted: 4 years ago.
Category: Dental
Expert:  DR. ALEX replied 4 years ago.

Bumps and sores on the tongue can be caused by allergic reactions, oral herpes simplex virus infection, canker sores, tuberculosis, bacterial infections, or early-stage syphilis. Sores can also be caused by allergies or other immune system disorders.

Although small bumps on both sides of the tongue are usually harmless, a bump on only one side may be cancerous. Unexplained red or white areas, sores, or lumps on the tongue may be signs of cancer and should be examined by a doctor. Most oral cancers grow on the sides of the tongue or on the floor of the mouth.

Tongue discomfort can result from irritation by certain foods, especially acidic ones or by certain ingredients in toothpaste, mouthwash, candy, or gum. Some drugs can cause tongue discomfort, as can injury and infection. Intense pain of the entire mouth can be caused by burning mouth syndrome.

Usually, it is a process of elimination to find out just what is causing the discomfort. Tongue discomfort not caused by an infection is usually treated by eliminating the cause. For example, the person may try changing brands of toothpaste, discontinue irritating foods, or have a sharp or broken tooth repaired by a dentist. Warm salt-water rinses may help.

I hope this helps you discover your tongue condition.

Customer: replied 4 years ago.

I've never heard of burning mouth syndrome, what are the symptoms & what is the treatment? How does one tell if they have it? Is there a test, any other thoughts would be helpful. I have already done alot of what you suggest.I haven't changed any of my eating habits or hygine products, this problem just kind of snuck up on me until it became intolerable. If there is any thing else I could suggest to my Dr. I would appreciate it.

Expert:  DR. ALEX replied 4 years ago.

Burning mouth syndrome causes chronic burning pain in your mouth. The pain from burning mouth syndrome may affect your tongue, gums, lips, inside of your cheeks, roof of your mouth, or widespread areas of your whole mouth. The pain can be severe, as if you scalded your mouth. The cause is unknown, but many people find relief by taking B Vitamins.

DR. ALEX, Dentist
Category: Dental
Positive Feedback: 98.9 %
Satisfied Customers: 1609
Experience: I am a General Dentist and founder of the American School of Dental Assisting
DR. ALEX and other Dental Specialists are ready to help you

JustAnswer in the News:

 
 
 
Ask-a-doc Web sites: If you've got a quick question, you can try to get an answer from sites that say they have various specialists on hand to give quick answers... Justanswer.com.
JustAnswer.com...has seen a spike since October in legal questions from readers about layoffs, unemployment and severance.
Web sites like justanswer.com/legal
...leave nothing to chance.
Traffic on JustAnswer rose 14 percent...and had nearly 400,000 page views in 30 days...inquiries related to stress, high blood pressure, drinking and heart pain jumped 33 percent.
Tory Johnson, GMA Workplace Contributor, discusses work-from-home jobs, such as JustAnswer in which verified Experts answer people’s questions.
I will tell you that...the things you have to go through to be an Expert are quite rigorous.
 
 
 

What Customers are Saying:

 
 
 
  • I can go as far as to say it could have resulted in saving my sons life and our entire family now knows what bipolar is and how to assist and understand my most wonderful son, brother and friend to all who loves him dearly. Thank you very much Corrie Moll Pretoria, South Africa
< Last | Next >
  • I can go as far as to say it could have resulted in saving my sons life and our entire family now knows what bipolar is and how to assist and understand my most wonderful son, brother and friend to all who loves him dearly. Thank you very much Corrie Moll Pretoria, South Africa
  • I thank-you so much! It really helped to have this information and confirmation. We will watch her carefully and get her in for the examination and US right away if things do not improve. God bless you as well! Claudia Albuquerque, NM
  • Outstanding response time less than 6 minutes. Answered the question professionally and with a great deal of compassion. Kevin Beaverton, OR
  • Suggested diagnosis was what I hoped and will take this info to my doctor's appointment next week.
    I feel better already! Thank you.
    Elanor Tracy, CA
  • Thank you to the Physician who answered my question today. The answer was far more informative than what I got from the Physicians I saw in person for my problem. Julie Lockesburg, AR
  • You have been more help than you know. I seriously don't know what my sisters situation would be today if you had not gone above and beyond just answering my questions. John and Stefanie Tucson, AZ
  • I have been dealing with an extremely serious health crisis for over three years, and one your physicians asked me more questions, gave me more answers and encouragement than a dozen different doctors who have been treating me!! Janet V Phoenix, AZ
 
 
 

Meet The Experts:

 
 
 
  • Mark Bornfeld DDS's Avatar

    Mark Bornfeld DDS

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    98.3 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    4715
    35 years experience, member Academy of General Dentistry
< Last | Next >
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/GE/gemini132/2012-6-7_14143_MarkPic.64x64.jpg Mark Bornfeld DDS's Avatar

    Mark Bornfeld DDS

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    98.3 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    4715
    35 years experience, member Academy of General Dentistry
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/drbehere/2010-04-11_192833_IMG_055575.jpg Dr. Behere's Avatar

    Dr. Behere

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    99.2 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    1709
    Masters degree, years of experience with all kinds of dental problems.
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/knecht522/2008-12-17_154020_alex22.jpg DR. ALEX's Avatar

    DR. ALEX

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    98.9 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    1607
    I am a General Dentist and founder of the American School of Dental Assisting
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/doclagoa/2008-10-01_163313_geosmall.jpg Dr. George McKee's Avatar

    Dr. George McKee

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    99.6 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    1392
    Licensed dentist with 30 years clinical experience in general practice and cosmetic reconstruction.
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/slodentistry/2009-05-25_004702_h.jpg Dr Girish's Avatar

    Dr Girish

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    99.2 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    788
    19 years of Clinical Experience in all phases of Dentistry
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/DR/DrBraces/2012-7-30_21335_Photo1.64x64.jpg Dr Mariana's Avatar

    Dr Mariana

    Orthodontist

    Positive Feedback:

    97.7 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    699
    Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist since 1990
  • http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/DR/Dr. C Peel/2012-7-8_154859_mixed067.64x64.jpg Dr. C's Avatar

    Dr. C

    Dentist

    Positive Feedback:

    94.9 %

    Satisfied Customers:

    691
    General dentist