Nothing is as irritating as a sore in your mouth. It can interfere with talking, eating, even a romantic kiss. If you find yourself with this problem, first examine your oral hygiene habits. Are you brushing and flossing properly? Perhaps all you need is a softer toothbrush or a more regular routine. Then do a quick examination in the mir¬ror. Are any of your teeth rubbing against your tongue or cheek? Has a filling or piece of tooth chipped off, leaving a ragged edge? Your dentist can fix these problems in a flash. If, however, you can’t see any reason for a linger¬ing soreness, you need an expert diagnosis.

It’s time to see your doctor if you have mouth or tongue soreness and:

  • A single small, pale lump on your tongue or mouth
  • Any ulcer in your mouth that lasts longer than two weeks
  • Any swelling in the mouth, tongue, or gum area
  • Stiffness or loss of control of your tongue

This could indicate a tumor. Have your doctor perform a biopsy to determine if it is benign or malignant.

  • White, sometimes swollen patches on the tongue or mouth
  • Burning feeling in your mouth and throat Fever and chills

These symptoms signal candidiasis, a type of fun¬gal infection that can affect your skin, nails, or any area with mucous membranes. If you have difficulty swallowing, the infection may have moved down into your esophagus.

  • Pale, smooth tongue with redness on the tip and sides
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Weak nails
  • Breathlessness

These symptoms could indicate you have iron-defi¬ciency anemia, the most common form of anemia. You could be losing too much iron from your sys¬tem due to abnormally heavy bleeding, or your body may not be absorbing enough iron.

  • Fatigue
  • Unexplained bruising
  • Bleeding from the nose, gums, rectum or other areas
  • Sores in the mouth, on the tongue or rectum

With these symptoms, you could be suffering from aplastic anemia, a condition where your bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells. This is usu¬ally treatable, so see your doctor immediately.

  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Paleness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Confusion
  • Depression
  • Numbness and tingling in the arms and legs

You could be suffering from a vitamin B12 defi¬ciency, also called pernicious anemia. Your body can’t absorb vitamin B12, so the problem cannot be fixed by simple changes in your diet. You need to discuss it with your doctor.

  • Redness on the tip and sides of your tongue, which later becomes bright red and swollen
  • Fatigue
  • Appetite loss
  • Diarrhea and indigestion
  • Headaches and backaches
  • Sores on your skin
  • Anxiety or confusion

If you aren’t getting enough niacin, a B-complex vitamin, you may develop a disorder called pella¬gra. This is treatable with a balanced diet and niacin supplements.

  • Redness on the tip and sides of your tongue
  • Contact with Irritating foods or substances

You may be having a reaction to alcohol, tobacco products, spicy foods, mouthwashes, breath fresheners, or other items.

  • You wear dentures

Correctly made and fitted dentures should not feel much different from your natural teeth. However, even the best dentist may not be able to get a per¬fect match every time. If your dentures rub or irri¬tate your mouth, have your dentist recheck the fit.

  • Small, painful sores on your tongue, lips, gums, throat, or inside your cheek

If you develop ulcers only on the inside of your mouth, you probably are suffering from a common ailment — canker sores.