How Can Sores On The Tongue Be Treated?

Posted on Tue, 27 Jun 2017

Question: Hello. Worried about oral cancer. Used smokless tonacco for ~7-8 years. Quit 2-3 weeks ago. Drink 4-6 beers a day. Also likely have HPV as I used to get cold sores as a teenager.

I noticed some sores on my tongue (picture 1). They have been there for for at least two weeks, hurt a little when aggrevated, and sometimes bleed easily. There are the two on the left side (pictured) and one matching one on the right side (same spot as the forward most sore on the left)

Also there are some white bumps along that ridge ("fold" ?) on the bottom of my mouth, both sides (picture 2). About 3-4 painless bumps per side. Maybe normal just never noticed before.

I went to the dentist for an oral cancer screening 3 weeks ago.

Thought? Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please send clear picture.

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Thanks for the query..

I am sorry but all the images are so blurred that I am not able to observe anything out of it..
So please send clear pictures..

Also answers the following questions.

1.Does these ulcers became better in 2 weeks and then worsen or are the same since 2 weeks?
2.Are they painful?
3.What did the Dentist tell you after screening?

Please revert back with answers and also upload clear pictures..

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (2 hours later)

They seem about the same after two weeks although I didn't notice the one on the right side until more recently. The front left one is slightly painful mostly after agitating it. The dentist saw nothing abnormal on my tongue when I went for the screening (which was about a week BEFORE the sores on the left appeared). She was more concerned with my gums which have since been healing.

I will try for better pictures. The light reflects off the saliva and blurs the photographs. Thanks!

-XXXX

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Does not seem cancerous..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
As per your explanation and latest image the symptoms does not look like cancerous ulcers..
So just relax..
You should start gargling with warm saline solution..
Take Vitamin B complex supplement daily for about 15 days..
Suck ice pops and also hold cool water in mouth to reduce inflammation, pain and help in reducing the sores..
Avoid hard and spicy foods..
You should also limit drinking as well as don't consume tobacco at all..

Revert back after 15 days with the progress of the treatment..

Regards..

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj