Ulcers on a child’s tongue – causes and various treatment methods

Every caring mother can share her experience of worrying about children’s illnesses, especially if it concerns infants.

There is definitely no need to panic when identifying signs of disease; precious time is wasted. What to do if ulcers are detected on the tongue and which specialist to contact will be discussed in the article.

Possible causes of ulcers on a child’s tongue

Ulcers on the tongue are a symptomatic manifestation characteristic of several diseases. It makes no sense to treat a symptom without eliminating the provoking factor.

Therefore, the primary task is to determine the cause, which is achieved by analyzing a set of signs:

Tongue diseases common among children

The appearance of a dense, indelible plaque, the occurrence of pain in the organ and the formation of ulcers on it do not always indicate a disease of the tongue - it may be due to pathological processes in the internal systems of the body, an allergic reaction, or, for example, severe trauma to the mucous membrane. As for the most common diseases of the main speaking organ among children, experts in the field of pediatric dentistry identify the following pathologies:

• glossitis: the most commonly diagnosed disease of the tongue, which is inflammatory in nature. Pathology can be triggered by external factors, for example, injury or burn, or pathological processes within the body - the spread of infection and the consequences of past illnesses,
• Desquamative glossitis (geographical tongue): a separate type of glossitis that may be congenital. Uneven red spots appear on the surface of the organ, surrounded by a whitish edging, resulting in the formation of a pattern reminiscent of a geographical map - hence the name,

  
  The pattern on the tongue resembles a map

• candidal stomatitis (thrush): the spread of a fungal infection, accompanied by the formation of a dense white plaque with a cheesy consistency. Infants and children under 10 years of age are at increased risk,

  
  Stomatitis is common in infants

• leukoplakia: inflammation of the mucous membrane, which leads to keratinization of one or several areas of the tongue. In children, the so-called mild form of the disease is more often diagnosed, although cases of the development of flat and erosive leukoplakia are often encountered. Typically, the disease “attacks” children aged 5 years and older, and, as a rule, becomes a consequence of constant mechanical injury to the soft tissues of the oral cavity,
• herpes: an infectious disease caused by the herpes simplex virus, accompanied by the formation of small watery blisters on the surface of the mucous membrane, which burst after a while, after which they take a long time to heal, causing serious discomfort and pain.

The above describes the pathologies that are most common in childhood. In fact, there are a huge number of diseases that lead to deformation of the tongue, the appearance of tumors on it and the development of severe pain. To identify the true causes of suspicious symptoms, you cannot do without the help of a qualified expert.

Associated symptoms and what they indicate

Diagnosis of the disease is carried out taking into account the accompanying symptoms.

• Small sores on the tongue and lips may indicate a viral infection - herpes

  Temperature indicates an inflammatory process. This is typical for candidiasis, herpes, allergies, and aphthous stomatitis.

• Ulcers located under the tongue appear due to injury, candidiasis, and somatic diseases.
• On the tip of the tongue, sores most often form due to mechanical damage to tissue.
• Accompanied by plaque ulcers due to candidiasis and problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
• Small sores on the tongue and lips may indicate a viral infection - herpes. Thrush ulcers often spread to the lips.
• On the tongue and throat, ulcers are formed as a result of mechanical trauma, malocclusion, dehydration, vitamin deficiency, and the use of medications with a high concentration of active substances.
• Ulcers in a baby indicate possible problems with the internal systems of the body. May indicate an allergic reaction, vitamin deficiency, mechanical damage to the tongue, fungal or viral infection.

Children's tongue diseases: what to do if painful ulcers appear in your baby's mouth

Among all the organs of the human body, the tongue is given special importance. It is with its help that we can distinguish the tastes of our favorite dishes, determine the consistency and temperature of products. In addition, the organ takes a direct part in verbal communication. Therefore, when suspicious tumors, inflamed areas and plaque appear on it, a person begins to experience severe discomfort and inconvenience. Anxious parents especially have a lot of fears and worries about this when signs of the disease are observed in young children. Today we will talk about what tongue diseases can appear in a child and what ulcers on the body of the organ usually indicate.

What are the types of tongue diseases in childhood?

Diagnostics

A qualified doctor is able to recognize the disease by carefully examining the surface of the tongue. The average person can get acquainted with the basics of diagnostics, but actually using them in everyday life is problematic, since the etiology of diseases can be different.

If you detect ulcers on a child’s tongue, you should not self-medicate using various rinses and lotions. You should make an appointment with your pediatrician or pediatric dentist as soon as possible, especially if the ulcers are spreading rapidly.

During diagnostic procedures, a number of tests are performed:

• cytological (the cellular composition of the mucous membrane and plaque on it is studied, Candida fungi are detected);
• biochemical (control of the level of glucose and important microelements in the blood, on which the condition of the epithelial layer depends);
• bacteriological (the bacterial composition of the oral cavity is studied in order to identify dysbiosis and inflammatory processes of bacterial origin);
• immunological (presence of disturbances in the protective function of the body).

The method of differential diagnosis is also used.

Treatment methods

The tactics for treating ulcers on a child’s tongue depends on the type of disease and its course.

Aphthous stomatitis

The most common disease is aphthous stomatitis.

The following reasons can provoke its development:

• Sometimes the aphthous form of stomatitis in a child is often confused with the herpes virus

  stress;

• genetic factor;
• lack of vitamins;
• allergy;
• folic acid deficiency.

Sometimes the aphthous form of stomatitis in a child is often confused with the herpes virus.

Mistakes can be avoided by carefully monitoring the development of the disease.

With stomatitis, at the initial stage, red dots form, after which white and gray bubbles with a red rim form in their place. Ulcers appear after the blisters burst.

To treat aphthous stomatitis, an integrated approach is used, including:

• systematic procedures for rinsing the mouth with decoctions of medicinal plants (calendula, chamomile, tea tree, etc.) and solutions of potassium permanganate, lugol;
• local treatment of affected areas of the mucous membrane with pharmacological agents (for example, methyluracil ointment).

The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the disease and the regularity of the procedures.

Herpetic stomatitis

Drug treatment is prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the characteristics of the body and the degree of neglect of the disease.

Treatment of the disease in its advanced form is carried out in a pediatric hospital or infectious diseases department.

Mild cases of herpetic stomatitis are carried out on an outpatient basis, but the child is isolated from others due to the fact that he is a carrier of the virus.

Drug treatment is prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the characteristics of the body and the degree of neglect of the disease.

Among the recommended drugs:

• antiviral (Acyclovir, Zovirax, Oxolinic ointment, etc.);
• antihistamines (Cetirizine, Loratadine, Fenistil);
• anti-inflammatory (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol);
• wound healing (solutions of Trypsin or Chymotrypsin);
• antiseptic (Solutions of Chlorhexidine, Furacilin);
• immunostimulating (Imudon, echinacea extract, etc.).

In case of acute or recurrent stomatitis of the herpes form, physiotherapy or laser therapy procedures are also prescribed.

Thrush (candidiasis)

Starting at six months of age, doctors prescribe topical antifungals

Choosing a treatment method for babies is quite difficult, because babies cannot describe their symptomatic sensations.

The mother needs to closely monitor the child to understand the cause of thrush.

If this is regurgitation after eating, then it is worth reducing the diet or keeping the baby upright for 20 minutes every time after eating.

It is equally important to maintain hygiene and sanitary standards in your home.

The following methods are used to treat infants:

• treatment of the oral mucosa with a cotton swab dipped in soda solution (1 tsp per 200 ml of warm water);
• wiping the oral mucosa with gauze soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

It is advisable to carry out procedures at an early stage of the development of a fungal infection, then the chances of recovery double. Pediatricians rarely prescribe antifungal agents for infants.

Starting from six months of age, doctors prescribe topical antifungals. When the disease progresses to a severe form, an integrated approach is used, which combines internal and local drugs.

The following drugs are used to treat older children:

• Miramistin (ointment, solution);
• Nystatin (tablets);
• Diflucan (tablets);
• Clotrimazole (ointment, tablets), etc.

Allergy

Most often, the allergen is found in foods, hygiene products, and medications.

Red ulcers on a child’s tongue may appear as a result of the body’s reaction to an allergen (causative agent).

There is no point in treating the consequences; the main thing is to identify the product or substance that caused the formation of wounds on the tongue as quickly as possible.

Most often, the allergen is found in foods, hygiene products (you need to carefully study the composition), and medications.

Dental fillings, dentures, and braces can also provoke an allergic reaction.

Gastrointestinal problems

In infants, the digestive system is still at the stage of formation, so the gastrointestinal tract is very sensitive to many irritants.

Any failures provoke a violation of the absorption of nutrients into the blood, against which vitamin deficiency develops, spots and ulcers appear on the tongue.

Another reason for changes in microflora are antibiotics, so they are prescribed in combination with drugs containing beneficial bacteria.

The essence of treating ulcers comes down to eliminating problems in the gastrointestinal tract and treating the lesions with special local agents.

Tongue injuries

Scarlet ulcers can also appear on a child’s tongue as a result of injury:

• careless use of a toothbrush;
• biting the tongue with teeth;
• tissue injury from sharp edges of a damaged tooth or filling;
• due to the eruption of baby teeth;
• poor-quality installation of the prosthesis when correcting the bite, etc.

Treatment of wounds in such cases consists of eliminating the irritant and local treatment of the lesions with wound-healing agents.

Treatment of stomatitis in children

There is no single correct treatment for stomatitis in children. Treatment is selected individually for each child after visiting a pediatric dentist and greatly depends on the form of stomatitis. Depending on the type of disease, treatment may include both local and general therapy methods.

Despite the impossibility of selecting treatment for all types of stomatitis, there are a number of recommendations that should be followed for any form of the disease. During the course of the disease, it is recommended to adhere to a strict diet that excludes eating hot or too cold foods, as well as avoiding other foods that irritate the oral cavity. Particular attention must be paid to oral hygiene. After every meal, it is recommended to rinse your mouth. For rinsing, you can use special herbs or antiseptics.

When treating the viral form of stomatitis in children, various anesthetics and antiviral drugs, anti-inflammatory ointments and gels, and immunomodulating drugs are used topically.

To treat candidal stomatitis, it is necessary to create a certain alkaline environment in the oral cavity. This is achieved by lubricating the baby’s mouth with a solution of soda or boric acid. Pharmacies also have special antifungal solutions, such as Candide. It is recommended to lubricate after every meal.

In the treatment of bacterial stomatitis, as in the treatment of other infections, antibiotics are used. Self-administration of antibiotics is strictly prohibited. Antibiotics should be selected correctly and prescribed only by the pediatric dentist, based on the sensitivity of microorganisms to certain drugs.

When treating aphthous stomatitis, oral anesthesia is used with the help of anesthetic gels, and the mucous membrane is treated with antiseptic drugs. Phototherapy using ultraviolet rays is also used. At the same time, it is recommended to carry out general immunostimulating therapy with the help of special drugs and vitamins.

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How to treat ulcers at home - traditional methods

As an additional treatment for ulcers on the tongue, you can use traditional medicine recipes:

• It is effective to use mouth rinses with home-prepared decoctions of plants that have antiseptic properties (calendula, sage, St. John's wort, viburnum berries, rose hips, chamomile, linden flowers). The brewing technology is simple - a tablespoon of dry plant is poured with 250 ml of boiling water. The container with the lid closed is left for 30-40 minutes. After filtering, you can carry out procedures. The oral cavity should be treated at least 5 times throughout the day. Keep the liquid in your mouth for about a minute each time you rinse.
• Ulcers will heal faster if they are treated with wound healing agents. These are mainly essential oils: sea buckthorn, calendula, rose hips, as well as aloe and Kalanchoe juices. They need to be applied pointwise, capturing only the affected tissue.
• Among the effective recipes, a solution based on soda , salt, iodine stands out (3 drops of iodine and a teaspoon of bulk ingredients per 200 ml of water). Applications and rinsing should be carried out at least 3-4 times a day for a week.

It is difficult to carry out medical procedures for babies less than a year old, and not all traditional methods can be used.

Therefore, the following treatment options for tongue ulcers have long been used for them:

• treatment of lesions with hydrogen peroxide;
• wiping the oral cavity, including the tongue, with a mixture of milk (100 ml), one yolk and honey (1 tsp);
• taking yarrow juice with honey (1 spoon 3 times a day for 3 weeks);
• processing with a mixture of egg white and water.

In what cases is it necessary to consult a doctor?

If you use folk recipes when identifying ulcers, you can get rid of them without the help of a doctor. But at the same time, the child’s condition must be stable.

If after a week’s treatment the lesions do not dry out or, in addition to them, other alarming symptoms appear (temperature, fever), then you should not hesitate to visit the clinic.

Signs of a pathological condition

With the development of any pathological processes in the oral cavity, small children, like adults, experience certain inconveniences and sometimes quite severe pain. Against the background of the appearance of such symptoms, there is a sharp deterioration in the general state of health, a loss of strength is observed, in some cases there is an increase in body temperature and loss of appetite, the baby will refuse breast milk or the offered formula.

The child may feel pain, burning and tingling in the tissues of the organ. As for visual manifestations, most often they take the form of a thick, indelible coating, which can range in color from white to gray or even black, as well as spots, blisters and painful ulcers, which we will talk about in more detail later.

Preventive measures

Diseases characterized by the formation of ulcers on the tongue can be avoided if preventive measures are taken in a timely manner:

• If, after the measures taken, ulcers appear on the tongue again, it is recommended to undergo a more thorough examination.

  visit the dentist regularly;

• Brush your teeth and mouth twice a day with high-quality toothpaste;
• teach your child to rinse his mouth after every meal to remove small particles;
• strictly adhere to restrictions regarding the consumption of foods that cause an allergic reaction;
• develop a diet so that it contains 65-70% fresh vegetables and fruits;
• take vitamin complexes to maintain immunity;
• protect the child from stress.

If, after taking measures, ulcers appear on the tongue again, it is recommended to undergo a more thorough examination. This sign may indicate problems with the digestive system or other diseases.

Prevention of diseases in childhood

In most cases, the symptoms and diseases discussed above can be prevented. To do this, it is enough to ensure competent prevention, which involves following a few simple rules:

1. parents need to take care to accustom their child to brushing their teeth twice a day every day, explain to the child that after each meal they need to rinse their mouth thoroughly,
2. If possible, exclude sweets from your daily diet, as well as foods that negatively affect the condition of your teeth. It is better to limit the consumption of acidic foods, which greatly irritate the mucous membranes,
3. you need to carefully ensure that the food and drinks your child consumes are not too cold or hot,
4. If there are defects in the dental system, it is imperative to contact a specialist - an orthodontist. Also, if there are any suspicious manifestations in the oral cavity, you should not hesitate to visit a doctor,
5. You need to carefully monitor the baby’s health in general, regularly take the child for preventive examinations not only to the dentist, but also to the therapist and other specialized specialists.

From an early age, children need to be taught oral hygiene.
Parents are largely responsible for the health of their children. For example, children should be taught to maintain oral hygiene from a very young age, as soon as their first milk teeth begin to emerge. And before their appearance, mothers should independently care for the child’s oral mucosa, for which experts in the field of pediatrics and pediatric dentistry recommend using special finger wipes designed specifically for cleansing soft tissues from plaque and residual nutritional mixture.

1. Borovsky E.V. Mashkilleyson A.L. Diseases of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and lips, 2001.