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Tongue issues
For some time now my tongue has been sore on the side. There are no open sores or any visible signs of an infection as far as I can see. When I move tongue left and right is feels tender and it's painful at times. What could this be? I get regular checkups by my dentist but I never mention it. Not sure if it's dental-related or a sign of some kind of infection that is not dental-related. I don't want to risk the embarrassment so I don't say anything. Should I? I have a cleaning coming up in a week.
There is a good chance that you have activated a trigger point in your digastric muscle.
It's helpful to understand the anatomy & physiology of your tongue - the muscles in the front of your neck, the digastric, suprahyoid & infrahyoid, and the anterior vertebral muscles and the nerves that supply them.
When you have a clear understanding of the function of these muscles you will be able to reproduce the pain at will and you will know what to do so as not to aggravate your condition.
Studying the function of the hyoid bone is a good place to start.
Symptoms - depending on the muscle and the location of the trigger points - are a painful burning tongue (glossodynia), dry mouth, sores on the tongue, difficulty talking, a sore throat with no inflammation, pain on swallowing and the feeling that there is a something/lump stuck in the throat, and pain in the lower back teeth. Your voice may be hoarse.
All these muscles function to open your mouth. Some also assist in flexing your head and spine, rotating your neck laterally and tilting your head to the same side. They also act as stabilizers. The mylohyoid muscles are used to chew, suck and blow.
Whiplash can activate these trigger points. Mouth-breathing, forward head posture, bruxism and a malocclusion will aggravate them, as can heat, cold, and spices.
Correcting your posturing from an excessive forward head position and breathing through your nose - not the mouth - are necessary for long term relief.
It's helpful to understand the anatomy & physiology of your tongue - the muscles in the front of your neck, the digastric, suprahyoid & infrahyoid, and the anterior vertebral muscles and the nerves that supply them.
When you have a clear understanding of the function of these muscles you will be able to reproduce the pain at will and you will know what to do so as not to aggravate your condition.
Studying the function of the hyoid bone is a good place to start.
Symptoms - depending on the muscle and the location of the trigger points - are a painful burning tongue (glossodynia), dry mouth, sores on the tongue, difficulty talking, a sore throat with no inflammation, pain on swallowing and the feeling that there is a something/lump stuck in the throat, and pain in the lower back teeth. Your voice may be hoarse.
All these muscles function to open your mouth. Some also assist in flexing your head and spine, rotating your neck laterally and tilting your head to the same side. They also act as stabilizers. The mylohyoid muscles are used to chew, suck and blow.
Whiplash can activate these trigger points. Mouth-breathing, forward head posture, bruxism and a malocclusion will aggravate them, as can heat, cold, and spices.
Correcting your posturing from an excessive forward head position and breathing through your nose - not the mouth - are necessary for long term relief.
First and formost... anything in the mouth is 'dental related'. If you are at your dentist and think you wanna ask about a sore throat, we (well not yet, I have another year LOL) should be able to answer your or steer you in the right direction for answers. So yes... if your tongue hurts... and you are in the dental chair... ask about it... you are paying for dental treatment. Anyway... my suggestion is to discontinue the mouthwash (like misspersonal suggested), but you MAY wanna do a warm salt water rinse from time to time...
Right now I am studying to become a dental hygienist. Geo tongues can indeed cause soreness...usually it is caused by a food or even mouthwashes. However, the pain you first describe I have experience before as well. I do not have a geographic tongue but as funny as this my sound...you could have strained your tongue. Your tongue is a muscle and most believe forget that but it may be over stretched, strained, and pulled. Also, it could have a tiny scratch or scrape on it from your teeth. Give it a little more time and try not to fool with it; hopefully it will go away. Discontinue use of mouthwash for awhile and avoid spicy food. If none of that helps or your tongue begins to swell or get fuzzy in appearance, call your dentist.
but do you have soreness/tenderness w/the geographic tongue? I was told I had a geo tongue some time ago but I am not sure if there is a connection w/the pain?
I think it would be wise to mention it to your dentist. I have geographic tongue and I mentioned it to my dentist and he was able to suggest some things to help reduce it, like using a different toothpaste and mouthwash. It couldn't hurt to bring it up and if he doesn't know what to do I'm sure he'll recommend someone to talk to about it! Good luck
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