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Dr. Girija Ghate | ENT Doctor in Baner Pune - Manipal Hospitals

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Dr. Girija Ghate | ENT Doctor in Baner Pune - Manipal Hospitals
Reviewed by

Dr. Girija Ghate

Consultant - ENT

Manipal Hospitals, Baner

Tongue Ulcer Treatment: Causes, Remedies & Healing Tips

Reviewed by:

Dr. Girija Ghate

Posted On: Aug 22, 2025
blogs read 5 Min Read
tongue ulcer treatment

Nearly everyone has, at some point, felt the sting of an ulcer on their tongue. It can be a small sore, but the annoyance it causes is huge – affecting how you talk, what you eat, and even your mood. While most ulcers fade away on their own, knowing why they appear, what you can do to speed healing, and when to seek medical advice is the difference between tolerating the pain and stopping it in its tracks.

Our ENT specialist in Baner regularly sees people struggling with mouth ulcers that refuse to heal. Their approach combines accurate diagnosis with treatment that’s tailored to each person’s needs, ensuring both relief and prevention. Let’s explore the details.

 

What Exactly Is a Tongue Ulcer?

A tongue ulcer is a small break or sore in the lining of the tongue. It can start as a speck and quickly turn into a painful spot surrounded by redness. The discomfort often worsens when you eat acidic foods, drink hot beverages, or even speak for too long.

Some clear up in a few days. Others stay for weeks. And if they keep coming back, that’s a sign there’s more to the story — which is why tongue ulcer treatment should be more than guesswork.

Common Tongue Ulcer Causes

Identifying tongue ulcer causes is the first step towards stopping them from returning. Different people have different triggers, but the most frequent ones include:

  • Accidentally biting your tongue or rubbing it against braces, dentures, or dental work.

  • Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with rough bristles.

  • Deficiencies in nutrients like vitamin B12, folic acid, or iron.

  • Trigger foods such as citrus, tomatoes, vinegars, and spices.

  • Hormonal changes in certain phases of life.

  • Medical conditions such as coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease, or autoimmune issues.

  • Certain medications irritate the mouth tissues.

The tricky part? More than one of these can happen at the same time, making it hard to spot the exact cause without a thorough check-up.

When to Seek Expert Care

Most ulcers fade on their own, but when they don’t, it’s time to get help. You should see our ENT experts in Baner if:

  • An ulcer lasts for over three weeks.

  • They appear repeatedly.

  • The size is unusually large, or there are many at once.

  • Pain affects speech, eating, or swallowing.

  • Other symptoms appear: fever, swollen glands, or weight loss.

Prompt tongue ulcer treatment here is about more than comfort — it’s about ruling out other health concerns.

Tongue Ulcer Treatment at Home

If your ulcer is mild and you’re otherwise healthy, tongue ulcer treatment at home can often work wonders. Here are tried-and-tested options:

1. Saltwater Rinse

Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, swish, and spit. Gentle, cheap, and effective for reducing inflammation.

2. Honey

Nature’s answer to oral sores. Apply a small dab of natural honey to the ulcer several times a day. Its antibacterial properties speed up healing while easing irritation.

3. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil forms a protective coat over the sore, keeps bacteria at bay, and calms inflammation. Either apply directly with a cotton bud or swish a spoonful around your mouth.

4. Aloe Vera Gel

If you have fresh aloe vera, place a little gel directly on the ulcer. Its cooling effect offers instant comfort and aids recovery.

5. Chamomile Tea Rinse

Brew chamomile tea, let it cool, and use it as a gentle mouth rinse. Known for its soothing effect, it’s a favourite for natural oral care.

If pain is intense or the sore refuses to improve, our ENT specialists in Baner can guide you towards the best mouth ulcer treatment for your particular case.

How to Cure Mouth Ulcers Fast Naturally

Sometimes you just want the discomfort gone quickly. Here is the natural method to heal mouth ulcers quickly:

  • Avoid any foods that are spicy, acidic, or slightly rough in texture to avoid further scraping of the ulcer.

  • Drink cool water or milk to calm the area.

  • Switch to a soft-bristle toothbrush to avoid further injury.

  • Rinse after meals to keep the ulcer clean

  • Make sure your diet is rich in B12, folate, and iron.

Following these rules often shortens the healing time and keeps pain at a manageable level.

Professional Medical Options

When home treatments fail, our clinicians can speed up recovery through targeted tongue ulcer treatment:

  • Topical gels or sprays containing anaesthetics to numb discomfort.

  • Antiseptic mouthwashes to reduce infection risk.

  • Creams to control inflammation in stubborn cases.

  • Investigation into underlying medical conditions if ulcers are frequent.

Our ENT doctors in Baner have a treatment philosophy that focuses not just on the symptomatic relief of pain but also on addressing the ulcer and keeping it from becoming a recurring problem.

Prevention: Stopping Ulcers Before They Start

Once you’ve gone through the pain, prevention becomes a priority:

  • Keep good oral hygiene, but brush gently.

  • Limit foods you’ve identified as triggers.

  • Stay well hydrated.

  • Find ways to manage stress, whether through yoga, walking, or hobbies.

  • Avoid harsh, alcohol-based mouthwashes.

For those who experience frequent flare-ups, we can offer individual solutions to assist in ending that cycle.

tongue ulcer treatment

The Value of Expert Help

While many remedies have been discussed on the internet, nothing fully replaces the importance of a proper diagnosis. Combining advanced diagnostic methods with an extensive knowledge of oral health problems, our ENT specialists in Baner can offer you the very best mouth ulcer treatment.

This means it is not about ending one ulcer today but about maintaining the health of your mouth long-term.

Conclusion

Visit our ENT Department at Manipal Hospitals in Pune, or book an appointment now to see an expert!

FAQ's

Most often, these have to do with trauma, certain foods, vitamin deficiencies, stress, hormone shifts, and underlying medical conditions.

Yes, for many cases. Remedies such as saltwater rinses and honey can be very effective. But persistent ulcers should be looked at by a specialist.

Avoid irritants, enhance nutrition, maintain oral hygiene, and apply soothing remedies such as coconut oil or aloe vera.

Anything spicy, acidic, crispy, or salty. Soft, bland foods are kinder to the healing area.

Because our ENT specialists provide not only effective tongue ulcer treatment but also guidance in preventing the recurrence of such ulcers.

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