Simple Home Remedies for Tongue Ulcers

Introduction

Mouth ulcers can sometimes occur on your tongue and give you tongue ulcers. These ulcers are usually red or yellow in colour and can be quite painful to live with. Tongue ulcers are quite common and usually go away on their own within a week or two. Tongue ulcers are not usually signs of serious health conditions, but are uncomfortable^1,2. People with tongue ulcers find it difficult to eat and drink anything. 

What Causes Tongue Ulcers?

The exact cause of tongue ulcers is unknown, but some factors may contribute to the development of these ulcers, including: 

• Eating acidic foods, like oranges, pineapples, and strawberries 
• Dental procedures, such as filling a tooth cavity, can cause minor tissue damage 
• Ill-fitting dentures and braces 
• Rough dental fillings or sharp teeth 
• Accidentally biting your tongue or cheek 
• Allergic reaction due to some specific pathogens 
• Vitamin and mineral deficiency. For example, vitamin B12 and iron^1,2
• Use of abrasive or harsh toothpaste 
• Hormonal changes during your period (menstruation) 
• Feeling tired, stressed, or anxious 
• Lack of proper sleep 
• Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections^1,2 

Symptoms of Tongue Ulcers

If you have tongue ulcers, you might experience  

• Swelling surrounding the tongue ulcer  
• Teeth brushing increases the pain  
• Pain that worsens while eating spicy, salty, or sour foods

Home Remedies for Tongue Ulcers

Tongue ulcers are a common condition but can cause immense discomfort on a day-to-day basis. However, you can try these home remedies to control them and ease the discomfort.  

1. Coconut Oil

You can apply coconut oil to tongue ulcers. Coconut oil, when applied to the affected area, forms a protective barrier on the ulcer. It is highly effective as it speeds up the healing process of damaged tissues. It is also effective against the bacteria that cause ulcers³. You can put coconut oil directly on the affected area to rapidly get rid of the tongue ulcer.  

2. Saltwater    

Frequently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water aids in healing ulcers¹. You can mix some salt in warm water and use it as a rinse. 

3. Honey    

Honey is known to possess wound-healing benefits. It speeds up the healing process and can be used as an effective agent for the treatment of ulcers. Honey is non-irritant, readily available, and an easy-to-use remedy for ulcers⁴. To use honey, you can rub some honey directly on the affected area a few times a day. In addition, you can sip on honey by adding it to a cup of tea.    

4. Chamomile  

Chamomile can be used as a local application to treat bacterial diseases of the mouth. Chamomile reduces the healing time of ulcers induced by stress⁵. To use chamomile, you can brew chamomile tea and use it as a mouth rinse. You can also drink chamomile tea with honey to double the benefits.    

5. Aloe Vera  

Aloe vera gel is known to promote healing in damaged tissues and accelerate the healing process⁶. You can apply aloe vera gel on the tongue ulcer to hasten its healing. You can also drink aloe vera juice to help treat the ulcer.    

6. Vitamin Supplements    

Ulcers on the tongue can also form as a result of a deficiency of certain minerals and vitamins. Taking those vitamins and minerals as dietary supplements may help with tongue ulcers. For example, supplementing with vitamin B12 and iron might help with oral ulcers¹.  

7. Avoiding things that are causing your Ulcer  

You can manage your ulcers on your own by avoiding triggers that cause ulcers. For example, eating spicy, acidic or rough foods, drinking very hot or acidic drinks, using toothpaste that contains sodium lauryl sulfate, and eating chewing gum should be avoided. It will benefit the ulcer by providing benefits like  

• Reducing the pain 
• Accelerating the healing process 
• Reducing the chances of recurrence¹. 

When to Seek Medical Help?

Tongue ulcers can affect anyone. However, you should seek medical help from your doctor if you have: 

• Ulcers that last for more than three weeks 
• New ulcers appear before the old one heals 
• Mouth ulcers that spread to another part of your lips 
• Pain that is not relieved by medication 
• Large ulcers that appear unusual 
• Painless mouth ulcers 
• A fever 
• Diarrhoea

Also Read: Easy Home Remedies for Wart Removal

Conclusion

Tongue ulcers are simply painful sores that form on the tongue. Tongue ulcers are usually red or yellow in colour. These ulcers are common, heal on their own, and usually do not indicate anything serious. You can use some household substances like honey, aloe vera, and coconut oil to get relief and to hasten the healing. Tongue ulcers don’t usually require medical intervention. Still, if you have symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea, very large ulcers, ulcers spreading to other parts of your mouth or ulcers lasting more than 3 weeks, you should contact your doctor.    

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Mouth ulcers [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2022 [cited 4 May 2022]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mouth-ulcers/

2. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Overview: Canker sores (mouth ulcers) [Internet]. Cologne (Germany): InformedHealth.org; 2006– [updated 2022 Oct 17; cited 2025 May 16]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546250/

3. Vala GS, Kapadiya PK. Medicinal Benefits of Coconut Oil. International Journal of Life Sciences Research. 2014;2(4):124–6. [Internet]. 2022 [cited 4 May 2022]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268805677_Medicinal_benefit_of_coconut_oil  

4. Ylmaz N, Nlsbet Ö, Nlsbet C, Ceylan G, HoÅŸgör F, Dede ÖD. Biochemical Evaluation Of The Therapeutic Effectiveness Of Honey In Oral Mucosal Ulcers. Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2022 Apr 25];9(4):290. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20001994/ 

5. McKay DL, Blumberg JB. A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.). Phytother Res [Internet]. 2006 Jul [cited 2022 Apr 25];20(7):519–30. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16628544/ 

6. de Freitas Cuba L, Braga Filho A, Cherubini K, Salum FG, Figueiredo MAZ de. Topical application of Aloe vera and vitamin E on induced ulcers on the tongue of rats subjected to radiation: clinical and histological evaluation. Supportive Care in Cancer 2015 24:6 [Internet]. 2015 Dec 23 [cited 2022 Apr 25];24(6):2557–64. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-015-3048-3 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

23