Have you ever noticed your tongue bleeding while brushing? Is it due to a recent injury, or are you unsure of the cause? If you're unsure, here's how we can help you get to the bottom of it.
Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Radhika Sahni, Prosthodontist and Implantologist, Practo Dental, shares that a bleeding tongue can be caused by simple trauma or can be a manifestation of deep underlying medical conditions. Listed below are some of the possible causes to consider.
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Accidental Tongue Biting
We've all experienced moments when we accidentally bite our tongue while talking, chewing, or eating. These mishaps can sometimes result in trauma to the tongue, leading to the formation of ulcers or small wounds. Unfortunately, these injuries, though often harmless, can bleed while brushing, according to Dr Sahni. Due to the trauma, the tissue of the tongue becomes delicate and more prone to irritation, so much so that even the gentle bristles of a toothbrush can complicate these injuries, leading to noticeable bleeding.
Using Hard Toothbrushes
Choosing your toothbrush might seem like a simple task, but if you're prone to tongue bleeding while brushing, it becomes more than just a routine decision. The right toothbrush can make a significant difference in preventing irritation and ensuring a gentler cleaning experience. Moreover, one must ensure that they do not indulge in cleaning their tongue harshly, as it may traumatise the area.
Infections
Different types of infections can affect oral health. Some of the common infections include fungal or yeast infections in the mouth, which, according to Medical News Today, are 'fairly common.' Oral thrush, for instance, can lead to mouth sores that can cause pain while eating or drinking and cause you to bleed too. Certain Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) like oral herpes can also cause various symptoms like blisters or open sores in or around the mouth or lips. These lesions can sometimes bleed.
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Leukoplakia Or Erythroplakia
Dr Sahni says, “Leukoplakia (white lesion) or erythroplakia (red lesions) of the tongue are pre-cancerous and can sometimes bleed.” While leukoplakia appears as thick, white patches on the inside surfaces of the mouth, erythroplakia causes red spots that may appear in combination with leukoplakia.
Oral Cancer
In more severe cases, a bleeding tongue may indicate oral cancer, especially in the advanced stage or ulcerative in nature, according to Dr Sahni. Tongue cancer is another rare type of cancer that can cause painful lumps or sores on the side of the tongue that may sometimes bleed, especially when irritated while brushing. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer are more than twice as common in men as in women.
Vitamin Deficiencies
Interestingly, tongue bleeding while brushing can sometimes signal underlying vitamin deficiencies, particularly in B12, folate, and iron. A deficiency in any of these vitamins can lead to conditions like glossitis, where the tongue becomes sore, swollen, fiery red, and more prone to bleeding. This is because low levels of these nutrients weaken the tongue's tissues, making them more susceptible to irritation and injury, even from something as routine as brushing.
What Are The Treatments?
Dr Sahni says, “Treatment of a bleeding tongue will depend on managing its underlying cause.”
However, she shares that eating a balanced diet can help maintain overall health by avoiding deficiencies, which may reduce the risk of oral problems like tongue bleeding. She emphasises that any deficiency should be diagnosed and supplements prescribed.
Additionally, smoking, alcohol, and chewing tobacco are oral irritants that increase the risk of lesions in the mouth; they should be avoided or their use limited.
To sum it up, maintaining good oral hygiene from the start—to prevent infections—and maintaining good overall oral health are of utmost importance. Regular dental check-ups are a must so that any issue can be diagnosed and addressed at an early stage, the doctor concluded.