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- Also called fever blisters, you don't get cold sores from fevers or colds but they can be triggered by them. The virus that causes cold sores is usually passed via a kiss, shared utensils, or other close contact.
- Caused by candida yeast, thrush is most common in older adults or babies. But a weakened immune system, antibiotics, diabetes, or certain medications -- such as inhaled corticosteroids -- can give candida a chance to grow wild.
- This painless condition occurs when the little bumps on your tongue grow long and trap bacteria that live in your mouth -- making the tongue look black and hairy.
- No one knows what causes these small, painful blisters inside your mouth. Triggers include hypersensitivity, infection, hormones, stress, and not getting enough of some vitamins.
- Overview
- Can acid reflux affect the tongue?
- Can acid reflux cause mouth sores?
- Can acid reflux cause dry mouth?
- Can acid reflux cause a metallic taste in the mouth?
- Can acid reflux cause a white tongue?
- Other causes for tongue changes
- When to speak with a doctor
- Summary
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may affect the tongue. Symptoms include a burning feeling in the mouth, bad breath, and tooth decay.
Laryngopharyngeal reflux is the medical term for acid that reaches the throat because of reflux. Changes to the tongue are an uncommon symptom.
An isolated 2016 study in India found that out of 142 participants with GERD, 2% had swelling and inflammation of the tongue, while 0.7% had red lesions on the tongue.
In this article, we will look at how acid reflux affects the tongue, including whether it can cause mouth sores, dry mouth, or a white tongue.
It is not common for acid reflux to affect the appearance of the tongue, especially if it is infrequent. However, frequent acid reflux, or GERD, often causes oral symptoms. The medical name for this is laryngopharyngeal reflux, which occurs when acid reaches the throat. Some common examples include:
•persistent sore throat
•burning in the throat or mouth
•bad breath
A less common symptom of GERD is damage to the tongue. This occurs when acid reaching the mouth damages tissues in the mouth over time. It can also erode the teeth. An individual 2016 study from India found that in people with GERD:
•44% had dental erosion
Yes, it is possible for frequent or severe acid reflux to cause sore patches, or lesions, in the mouth. These can occur on the gums, tongue, or palate.
However, this is an uncommon symptom, and can occur for other reasons. More common conditions that cause mouth sores include canker sores and cold sores.
There is not much research on the connection between acid reflux and dry mouth. However, a 2018 study suggests that swallowing saliva may help neutralize stomach acid. It is possible that people who do not produce enough saliva may have a more acidic stomach, worsening their reflux.
The study found that treating dry mouth also reduced acid reflux. However, more research would have to find similar conclusions to support this as an effective treatment.
In addition to feeling as though the mouth is dry, signs of a dry mouth include:
•excessive thirst
•bad breath
•dry gums or tongue
People with acid reflux may experience changes in their sense of taste. A sour or bitter taste is common, but it may also taste metallic to some.
Other changes to taste and smell are also possible. A 2017 study found that many participants with GERD reported they were less sensitive to sweet, salty, and bitter tastes and smells than they were before they developed the illness. The researchers noted an association between these changes and the severity of symptoms.
Research so far has not shown a strong connection between acid reflux and a white coating on the tongue. A 2020 study drawing on TCM found that people with GERD had more “fur” on certain parts of the tongue, but this did not coat the whole tongue. Additionally, this was a small study, so may not apply to a larger population.
However, there is an association between some drugs that doctors use to treat GERD and yeast overgrowth, which can cause a white tongue. A 2017 review noted that in some studies, people taking drugs known as H2 antagonists had higher rates of Candida albicans (a type of yeast) in their digestive tracts, particularly in the esophagus.
Scientists believe that suppressing stomach acid production may allow species of yeast that typically grow at harmless levels, such as C. albicans, to become opportunistic. Doctors can address this through antifungal drugs as well as measures that protect the microbiome. These measures may include:
•taking prebiotics, which are substances that feed beneficial bacteria
•taking probiotics, which involves taking live bacterial cultures
•getting adequate nutrition
Tongue changes can happen for a number of reasons that may or may not be related to acid reflux and GERD. Some other explanations include:
•Canker sores: Canker sores are small ulcers that can appear on the tongue, lips, or near the gums. They usually go away on their own, but mouth rinses and numbing solutions can help with the pain.
•Oral thrush: This infection occurs when yeast overgrows in the mouth, causing the tongue to turn white or yellow with a thick residue on top. Brushing the residue with a toothbrush may be painful. Medications, especially antibiotics, sometimes trigger thrush. Antifungal drugs can treat it.
•Black hairy tongue syndrome: This benign condition causes a discolored gray, black, or white furry tongue. Smoking, low oral hygiene, and certain medications are associated with it.
Anyone who notices persistent changes to the surface of their tongue should speak with a doctor or dentist. There are many things that can cause this, ranging from minor conditions to more serious ones.
Consulting a doctor or dentist promptly will allow them to rule out serious conditions, make a diagnosis, and recommend treatments. If the changes are caused by GERD, they can help with managing the condition and reducing the impact it has on the mouth and teeth.
In rare cases, changes to the tongue’s surface can be signs of tongue cancer. The symptoms can include:
•a red or white patch on the tongue that will not go away
•a persistent sore spot or ulcer on the tongue
•unexplained bleeding on the tongue
Occasional acid reflux will not typically alter the tongue’s appearance, but it can if people have frequent acid reflux, or GERD. People may experience soreness, redness, swelling, inflammation, or changes to their sense of smell or taste.
Managing GERD with medications or lifestyle changes can reduce the symptoms. However, it is also worth noting that tongue changes can happen for other reasons. It is important to speak with a doctor or dentist about changes to the tongue so that they can confirm the cause.
- Bumps, patches, and spots in your mouth can be harmless. But sometimes, they can give clues to what’s going on with your overall health. Infections, stress, medication issues, and even aging can make their marks on your tongue.
- Creamy white spots could be thrush, a fungal infection (shown here). It often happens after an illness or medications throw off the balance of bacteria in your mouth.
- If your tongue has a coating that looks like black, brown, or white fur, you might have hairy tongue. Those “hairs” are proteins that turn normal, small bumps into longer strands, where food and bacteria get caught.
- Hairy tongue can be black in color. But your tongue can also go dark after you take an antacid with an ingredient called bismuth. For some people, it stains the tongue black when it mixes with saliva.
Is your tongue the strongest muscle in the body? Can you see your taste buds? How long is the average tongue? Learn fun facts about your tongue and taste buds!
What are the symptoms of tongue problems? Common symptoms that may affect your tongue include: An enlarged or swollen tongue. Trouble moving your tongue. Complete or partial loss of taste. Change in your tongue color (white, yellow, dark red, purple, brown or black).
Mar 12, 2024 · Mouth sores show up on the bottom lip, inner cheek, roof of the mouth, and on the gums. This article includes a gallery of mouth sore pictures.
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Symptoms of mouth cancer can affect any part of your mouth including the gums, tongue, inside the cheeks, or lips. Symptoms can include: a mouth ulcer in your mouth that lasts more than 3 weeks. a red or white patch inside your mouth. a lump inside your mouth or on your lip. pain inside your mouth.
