Bleeding from the tongue can be caused by malformations of blood vessels, called hemangiomas. It also can happen because of lymph system abnormalities, such as lymphangiomas and cystic hygromas. These conditions are often found on the head and neck — and in the mouth.
Mouth ulcers or blisters
They are rarely a cause for concern and tend to heal on their own. However, irritants such as sharp food or a harsh toothbrush may injure these sores and result in a tongue bleed. A doctor or dentist is likely to make a diagnosis by examining the mouth.
If your tongue is bleeding excessively or if you've bitten through it, you likely need to seek professional treatment at the emergency room or an urgent care clinic. You can also try to control the bleeding by applying light pressure with a sterile gauze pad.
Apply firm pressure to a cut on the mouth or tongue to help stop the bleeding. Most mouth and tongue cuts heal on their own without stitches. Use saltwater rinses and cold compresses to relieve mouth pain and swelling and to reduce the chance of infection.
Signs & Symptoms
Generally, the first sign of squamous cell cancer of the oral tongue is a pinkish-red sore at the side of the tongue that persists and seems not to heal over time. Quite often, the sore bleeds easily if bitten or touched.
Fissured tongue occurs in approximately 5 percent of Americans. It may be evident at birth or develop during childhood. The exact cause of fissured tongue isn't known. However, it may sometimes occur in association with an underlying syndrome or condition, such as malnutrition or Down syndrome.
Thrush. The fungus Candida causes thrush, or oral candidiasis. It appears as creamy white patches, sometimes with red lesions. These patches can appear on your tongue, but they can also spread to anywhere in your mouth and throat.
Many spots, bumps, and colors on your tongue are harmless. But it's good to know the signs that might point to cancer: Sores that don't heal, lumps, tongue pain, and trouble chewing or swallowing. If these symptoms last more than 2 weeks, see your doctor or dentist.
Creamy white lesions on your tongue, inner cheeks, and sometimes on the roof of your mouth, gums and tonsils. Slightly raised lesions with a cottage cheese-like appearance. Redness, burning or soreness that may be severe enough to cause difficulty eating or swallowing.
Thrush is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can be triggered by sex. Thrush is caused by a fungus called candida that is normally harmless.
Thrush is a fungal (yeast) infection that can grow in your mouth, throat and other parts of your body. In your mouth thrush appears as a growth that can look like cottage cheese – white, raised lesions on your tongue and cheeks. The condition can quickly become irritated and cause mouth pain and redness.
You develop symptoms of oral thrush, which can include: white patches (plaques) in the mouth that can often be wiped off, leaving behind red areas that may bleed slightly. loss of taste or an unpleasant taste in the mouth. redness inside the mouth and throat.
The symptoms of tongue cancer might include: a red or white patch on the tongue that won't go away. a sore throat that doesn't go away. a sore spot (ulcer) or lump on the tongue that doesn't go away.
Geographic tongue results from the loss of tiny hairlike projections (papillae) on your tongue's surface. This papillae loss appears as smooth, red patches of varying shapes and sizes. Geographic tongue is an inflammatory but harmless condition affecting the surface of your tongue.
Spicy foods or high acidic foods, like tomatoes, can cause tongue bumps as well. Not drinking enough water can also cause those nasties to flare up. Another common reason why people develop tongue bumps or mouth sores is because they smoke or chew tobacco. Like sugar, tobacco can cause inflammation.
Symptoms of tongue problems
a partial or complete loss of taste or changes in your ability to taste sour, salty, bitter, or sweet flavors. difficulty moving your tongue. tongue swelling. a change from the normal color of your tongue to or patches of color that are white, bright pink, black, or brown.
An unhealthy tongue. If your tongue is a different colour than pink, or has large patches of white, brown, black, or another colour, this might indicate a specific health issue. Similarly, if you have large bumps or no bumps at all, you may also want to speak to a doctor.
Signs of Extreme Tongue Bacteria
If your tongue develops white patches, it's usually a sign that something is wrong with your oral hygiene. White patches are a collection of bacteria and dead cells that get stuck on enlarged papillae.
A regular tongue is relatively flat across its length, while a fissured tongue has a deep, prominent groove in the middle. You may also find small furrows or cracks across the surface, making your tongue look wrinkled. The same way wrinkles deepen as we age, fissured tongues can also deepen at an older age.
Deficiencies in B6 or B12 may lead to a swollen, sore or yellow tongue, along with teeth indentations and fissures on the surface of the tongue. Iron: An iron deficiency can lead to a swollen tongue and painful sores in the mouth. The tongue will also appear pale and smooth due to the lack of haemoglobin in the blood.
That may sound strange, but your tongue can tell a lot about your health. For example, a black and hairy looking tongue can signal poor oral hygiene, or diabetes. If your tongue is bright red like a strawberry, it could signal a deficiency in folic acid, vitamin B12, or iron.
Is tongue cancer painful? Some of the first signs of tongue cancer often include a painful lump or sore on the side of the tongue that may bleed easily and resist healing. Mouth or tongue pain is also a common symptom.
Mouth cancer typically affects your cheeks, lips, tongue, or throat. It usually shows up as flat, white patches on any of those areas. These patches are made up of cells that can lead to cancer. Mixed red and white patches and bright red patches are also signs of trouble.
Oral melanomas may present as flat, painless, dark brown or black discolored macules or nodules, sometimes with erythema or ulceration. As the disease progresses, bony erosion is common.
Oral thrush usually doesn't cause any serious health problems, but it can be very unpleasant. If the fungus spreads to your food pipe, for example, it may cause problems swallowing. Together with the usual symptoms, this may cause people who have oral thrush to eat less and lose weight.