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What Causes Pulling Sensation And Pain In Tongue?

Posted on Mon, 14 Dec 2015

Question: Hi, I have a problem under my tongue. I feel as if the tongue is being pulled down. I get some mild pain which is bearable. But the pain is persistent all through the day. I also have mild pain/pull in gums (lower jaw front teeth). When I observe in the mirror, I find that the string like muscle that connects the tongue to the lower portion of the mouth seems to be elongated. I am really scared. What possibly is the problem and Which doctor should I consult?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be high frenulum attachment [Muscle string connecting tongue and mouth]

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand..

As per your complain the first thing that I would like to tell you is that do not get worried as it does not look like something very fatal so better relax..

Now as per your question, many a times some individuals may have a high frenulum attachment
[frenulum is the muscle string that you have noticed connecting tongue to floor of mouth] and when the frenulum is attached over the tongue extending on a longer portion of tongue it can cause pulling sensation over tongue..

But in this condition in case if the excessive tongue movement is done there can be pain, pulling sensation under tongue and as the attachment extends to inner side of gums it can cause pain in that region too..

At times this can occur due to any injury to the frenulum by some hard food or any ulcer can cause similar feeling..
Nerve disorder can also cause similar feeling but is less common..

I would however suggest you to consult an Oral Physician or an Oral Surgeon and get evaluated and a thorough clinical evaluation can help in correct diagnosis and treatment can be planned accordingly..
As of now if there is pain you can take painkiller like Tylenol or Ibuprofen..
Avoid extreme stretching of tongue..
You can also apply a numbing gel containing Lignocaine over the painful area under tongue as wellas gums..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (3 hours later)

Thanks a lot doctor. I am kind of relieved now. What are the treatment options available? Will this require surgery etc?? Other than painkiller - are there any medicine options that can prevent this stretching? I was curious to know what causes this.. I don't seem to have done anything different recently for me get this. Can some medicines (antibiotics, depressants) cause this. I took some antibiotics and depressants recently (on suggestion from the doctor only though)

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can try antibiotics and muscle relaxant..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome Again..

As per your query generally antibiotics and anti-depressants are not seen to cause such symptoms and in case if there is High frenulum attachment then a small surgical procedure that can be carried out under local anaesthesia by a trained oral surgeon can help in easily relieving the excessive attachment and your tongue will completely become free..
As you want to know what causes high frenulum attachment so I would like to tell you that it is a developmental defect and is present since birth..
But first of all a clinical evaluation is needed for confirmation of cause by an Oral Physician..
Along with painkillers you can also take muscle relaxant like Chlorzoxasone that can relieve the pulling sensation..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

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

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