Tongue Sores During Pregnancy - Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

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Some women experience tongue sores during pregnancy. Under normal conditions, tongue sores indicate vitamin deficiencies (1). But sometimes, they could be due to other benign or serious underlying conditions. Either way, expectant mothers should not neglect tongue sores. During pregnancy, hormonal changes can impact your oral health and increase the risk of conditions like tongue sores and other oral ulcers (2). Knowing these changes can help you take proactive steps to maintain your oral health.

If you have had persistent tongue sores, contact your doctor to know the causes. We bring you some information you need to know about tongue sores when pregnant in this post. Also, we share a few home remedies that may give you some relief.

Causes Of Tongue Sores During Pregnancy

The following are some common causes of painful tongue sores during pregnancy (3) (4):

• Stress

Pregnancy being a period of many changes, many women develop ulcers on the tongue in pregnancy during periods of heightened stress.

• Smoking

Excessive smoking can irritate your tongue and make it sore. Quit smoking to avoid the risk of developing tongue sores. Additionally, smoking has other harmful effects on you and on your growing fetus.

• Biting

If you accidentally bite your tongue or eat something extremely hot, you may develop a tongue sore. Also, if you grind or clench your teeth, it may irritate the sides of the tongue, causing pain.

• Medical conditions

If you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetesⁱA condition where the body either can't produce enough insulin, an organic substance, leading to high blood sugar levels. or anemiaⁱOccurs when there is a dearth of enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues. , you are likely to develop a tongue sore. Behcet disease, characterized by the inflammation of blood vessels in the body, can also lead to the development of sores on the tongue (5) (6).

• Oral cancer

Consult a doctor if you have a lump or sore on your tongue that persists for more than three weeks. Oral cancer does not show its symptoms in the early stages. Thus, if there is no pain and you still have tongue sores, a check-up is advisable.

• Viral Infection

Tongue sores can be caused by viral infections such as hand-foot-mouth diseaseⁱA mild but highly contagious viral infection causing sores in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet resulting from herpes simplex virus that can last for about 10 days.

• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Tongue sores are sometimes caused by a lack of adequate nutrition. It is more likely caused due to iron deficiency, deficiencies of certain vitamins or minerals, such as vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.

• Hormonal changes

It has been seen that women with hormonal imbalances are more prone to oral health problems. As pregnancy is a phase that involves significant hormonal fluctuations, it may make a pregnant women more susceptible to tongue sores.

• Autoimmune diseases

An example of an autoimmune diseaseⁱWhen the body's defense system mistakenly attacks and damages its own cells instead of fighting off infections. that can cause tongue sores is multiple sclerosisⁱA disease where the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerves in the brain and spinal cord. (7). People with a weak immune system are more susceptible to developing sore tongue or yellow tongue.

• Gingivostomatitis

Herpetic Gingivostomatitis or Gingivitis is an infection of the mouth and can cause blisters and sores in the mouth (8). However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gingivitis is prevalent among 60 to 75% of pregnant women (9). As per a study, when a pregnant woman develops Herpetic gingivostomatitis, there’s a risk she could pass the HSV-1 virus to her baby (10). Because of this risk, it’s crucial to monitor the newborn, check for any signs of infection early on, and start treatment immediately if needed.

• Oral thrush

Oral thrush is a fungal infection that can result in a sore or dry mouth during pregnancy and occurs when there is an overgrowth of the fungus, Candida (11).

Tongue sores can also be caused by factors such as a sharp or broken tooth, poorly fitting dentures, braces, or chewing tobacco (12).

Symptoms Of Tongue Sores During Pregnancy

The following are the symptoms of tongue sores during pregnancy, though they may appear in non-pregnant women as well (4) (13):

• Bumps on the tongue.
• Painful sores that are common on or under the tongue, though they can appear anywhere in the mouth.
• Irregular red patches.
• White lines on the tongue.
• Low saliva production
• Change in taste perception
• An enlarged or swollen tongue
• Difficulty moving the tongue

Tongue sores may require medical attention if they persist for more than two weeks, recur more than three times a year, are larger than half an inch in size, or are accompanied by a fever of 100.4°F or higher. Additional warning signs include worsening pain, difficulty eating or drinking due to the sores, symptoms that fail to improve or worsen over time, and the appearance of new symptoms (14).

Home Remedies For Tongue Sores During Pregnancy

Here are some of the home remedies for sores on the tongue during pregnancy (3) (15):

• Gargling or rinsing the mouth with warm saltwater
• Sucking on ice chips may help alleviate pain
• Keeping yourself hydrated
• Avoid consuming hot, spicy, salty, or citrus-based foods and beverages

Quick tip

Alum is an astringentⁱAgents used for constricting the body tissues to tighten pores and reduce oiliness and may help with tongue sores (16). With your doctor’s approval, you can apply an alum paste to treat the sore. Leave it for a minute, and rinse thoroughly.

Such home remedies only provide temporary relief. Hence, consult your doctor to avoid further complications.

Treating Tongue Sores During Pregnancy

Following are some of the treatment methods for mouth ulcers during pregnancy (17) (14):

• Antiseptic mouthwashes to prevent the bacterial infection from growing
• Local analgesics in the form of gels or creams for pain relief from oral ulcers
• Protective pastesⁱMedicated pastes used to cover ulcers and prevent irritation from food, drinks and saliva that cover the ulcer
• Prescription oral medications or over-the-counter pain relievers

Use these medications only after consulting with your doctor to ensure they are safe to use during pregnancy. Furthermore, consult a nutritionist who can provide personalized advice on dietary adjustments that may alleviate symptoms and enhance overall oral health during pregnancy.

Preventing Tongue Sores During Pregnancy

Following are some of the preventive measures you can take during pregnancy to avoid tongue sores (15) (18):

• Oral hygiene

The best way to prevent tongue ulcers is to maintain dental hygiene by flossing and brushing daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushing your tongue can also help minimize bacteria in your mouth and promote better oral hygiene.

• Balanced diet

Maintain a healthy diet by limiting refined sugar to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, consuming plenty of calcium for strong bones and teeth, and including vitamin C-rich foods to strengthen your gums.

• Stress management techniques

Practicing relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation, can help reduce stress, which is known to contribute to oral health issues during pregnancy.

Quick tip

Applying honey on the sores with a cotton swab, two to three times a day may reduce pain and help heal tongue sores (19).

Infographic: What Are The Reasons For Tongue Sores In Pregnant Women?

Tongue sores or canker sores in pregnancy are not uncommon. These small, uncomfortable sores, which can develop on the tongue, gums, or inside of the cheek, can make it difficult to eat, speak, or swallow. The infographic below explores some of the reasons for tongue sores during pregnancy. Read on!

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Tongue Sores During Pregnancy - Causes Symptoms & Treatments

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

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Dr. Arpita ChakrabortyMS

Dr. Arpita Chakraborty practices at Bombay Hospital, Mumbai and has eight years of experience in the field of ob/gyn. She has passed her medical training with distinction and bagged gold medals in various subjects. Dr. Chakraborty trained in advanced laparoscopy at Bombay Hospital and did FOGSI Certified Course in Obstetrics Ultrasonography.

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  Dr. Swati ChitnisMS, DNB Dr. Swati Chitnis is a gynecologist and endoscopic surgeon with over 8 years of experience. She did her bachelor in medicine at BJ Medical College & Sassoon Hospital, Pune, India and MS at the prestigious King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. She worked in various hospitals in Mumbai and currently runs her private practice.
  
  Dr. Swati Chitnis is a gynecologist and endoscopic surgeon with over 8 years of experience. She did her bachelor in medicine at BJ Medical College & Sassoon Hospital, Pune, India and MS at the prestigious King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. She worked in various hospitals in Mumbai and currently runs her private practice.

shreeja pillaiMSc

Shreeja holds a postgraduate degree in Chemistry and diploma in Drug Regulatory Affairs from the University of Mumbai. Before joining MomJunction, she worked as a research analyst with a leading multinational pharmaceutical company.

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Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

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Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

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