To answer this question, it is important to distinguish whether burning on the tongue is caused by a serious disease (Burning-mouth Syndrome, BMS) or just an occasional reaction of the body to unknown substances such as nicotine.
What is tongue burning?
Tongue burning (Glossodyny, Burning-mouth Syndrome, BMS) is a condition that causes a feeling of burning in the mouth. People with these symptoms compare the sensations in the mouth to the consumption of a hot drink. Current scientific evidence points to several possible causes. Why exactly this unpleasant disease occurs is still unclear.
In case of tongue burning, you should seek medical advice to find out the exact cause. Smoking may be responsible for this. We have put together an overview of possible causes for you and give advice on what you can do about a burning tongue.
Which parts of the mouth can be affected?
Tongue burning can affect the following parts of the mouth:
- tongue
- the palate
- the inside of the cheeks
- the gums
- the lips
- Patients who stop smoking often complain of aphthous (mouth) ulcers. This symptom is sometimes attributed to the use of smoking cessation medications, but little is known about it. We investigated the incidence, severity, and time course of mouth ulcers in abstaining smokers and the effect of different smoking cessation medications on the symptom.
- Sores inside the mouth, in Chinese Medicine, may be related to pathology of the Spleen, the Stomach or the Heart. The mouth in general is the sensory organ that is related to the Spleen and in fact a branch of the Spleen meridian spreads out on the underside of the tongue. The tongue, especially the tip of the tongue, is related to the Heart.
Black and hairy tongue is commonly caused by tobacco smoking, poor oral hygiene and drinking coffee or tea mostly. Smoking and alcohol consumption can cause the papillae to become inflamed and enlarged. Food particles, bacteria, dead cells and other debris can get trapped on the overgrown papillae to cause cracked black and hairy tongue.
Can cigarette cause burning in the mouth?
There are patients with the symptoms of a burning tongue who “just” didn’t pay attention and drank too hot coffee. The feeling of a burning tongue is then not due to the BMS disease.
In addition, various other chemicals can irritate the sensitive nerves: An example of this is the consumption of a pineapple or the smoking of cigarettes and other nicotine-containing products. Basically, you don’t have to worry much about that. The body reacts with natural defensive reactions to unknown substances and sends you signals that “something is wrong”.
This reaction can last up to several hours. As a rule, no treatment is necessary and the pain disappears very quickly.
11 SIMPLE TIPSCauses of BMS
Real BMS can be primary, i.e. it results from an immediate cause, or secondary, which means that the cause is indirect. According to the Information Centre for Genetic and Rare Diseases, the primary form of BMS results from damage to the nerves that control taste and pain sensations.
Secondary BMS may occur due to other medical conditions or treatments, including:
- allergies to certain foods or dental products
- anxiety or depression
- diabetes
- dry mouth
- medicines, such as high blood pressure medications
- oral infections
- nutritional deficiencies
Which household remedies can help to reduce the burning sensation after a cigarette?
We recommend the use of household remedies such as drinking plenty of water or relieving pain with ice cubes.
This also reduces the feeling of dry mouth and can temporarily mask bad tastes.
Avoiding the consumption of problematic food and beverages
In addition, intensive foods and beverages can irritate the mouth. Restriction or avoidance of the following foods may result in improvement:
- acidic foods, such as tomatoes and citrus fruits
- acidic beverages, including citrus juices, soda and coffee
- alcohol and alcoholic products
- spicy foods
- products containing cinnamon or mint, including herbal teas, sweets and pastries
Change your dental hygiene products and habits
Oral health products, including toothpaste and mouthwash, can irritate the skin of the mouth and also be a reason for burning your tongue.
It is advisable to use a tasteless toothpaste that is suitable for sensitive teeth and limit the use of mouthwash.
Stopping unconscious habits, such as biting the tip of the tongue, can often also cause an unpleasant burning sensation.
Quit smoking
Whether your tongue hurts from BMS or just from overloading your nerves, quitting smoking is a good idea.
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Sore On Side Of Tongue
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11 SIMPLE TIPSSores On Tongue From Smoking Cracking
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Dear Alice,
First things first, I love your website. I really like the format and especially love getting Alice in my e-mail box! My question is regarding smoking ice (methamphetamine). Sometimes, but not always, after I've smoked a lot, I get white sores on my tongue, especially, but all over in my mouth. I have a theory about this, and I'd appreciate any info you could supply. I think it is a sort of chemical burn from the iodine in the ice. I know it makes you get dehydrated, and I think this is part of why it burns (if it is a burn). You don't have normal amounts of saliva to naturally flush things out of your mouth. I also think that's a contributing factor in why it is so damaging to the teeth. I'm sorry, I'm babbling. My mouth is in so much pain! It looks like little patches of something growing and is especially bad where my tongue rubs against the back of my molars. Thanks in advance for the help!
Dear Reader,
Sores On Tongue Pictures
Ouch! Smoking methamphetamine does cause painful mouth sores to develop, as you've noticed yourself, although they can form in many other ways. How mouth sores are formed by meth use may include the following possible culprits:
- Chemical burn:Some of the chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine are caustic, meaning they burn skin. Similarly, when meth is vaporized and inhaled, the hot vapor irritates and burns soft tissue in the mouth, exacerbating dry mouth.
- Cottonmouth: Stimulants, including methamphetamine, deplete salivary secretions and raise body temperature to a much higher level than normal. Based on these effects, long-term use of stimulants leads to dehydration, which worsens dry mouth. Without saliva to protect the mouth, teeth, and gums by acting as a neutralizing agent against acidic substances, such as some of the ingredients found in meth, an extended state of dry mouth can cause sores or ulcers to form in the mouth. Dry mouth also promotes tooth decay.
- Tissue damage: Constriction of blood vessels in the mouth harms tissues initially, but after recurrent episodes, can cause tissues to die.
- Skinned raw: Continuous friction between the tongue and the inside of the mouth while on meth can cause skin to become raw and irritated, which could lead to infection.
Sore Tongue On One Side
It's not clear in your letter if you've seen your health care provider or a dentist about the sores in your mouth; if not, it's a good idea to make an appointment to have the sores examined and evaluated. It may be embarrassing to you to disclose the possible causes of your sores, but it is a crucial element in helping discover their source. This way, treatment may be identified and/or prescribed that can allow you to find some relief sooner rather than later. If the mouth sores are found to be caused by or related to smoking ice, then in order for treatment to be effective, you'll need to not smoke meth until the mouth sores heal completely. It also might be smart to think about the reasons you smoke ice, what it offers you, and what your life would be like without it. If you continue to use the drug, you may find that the only successful, long-lasting treatment for the sores, if they're caused by smoking meth, is to quit the substance altogether.