Why is half of my tongue swollen?

Have you ever woken up one day and noticed that half your tongue was swollen? At first, you may have thought nothing of it, but as the day went on, it started to become more and more noticeable. If this has happened to you before, don’t worry- I’m here to explain why this weird thing could be happening.

What Causes Half Your Tongue to Become Swollen?

There are a few reasons why your tongue might suddenly start swelling up like a balloon. Some causes are pretty harmless while others can be serious:

Dental Issues

If there’s an infection in your gums or teeth on one side of your mouth, it can cause inflammation that spreads into surrounding tissue- including the tongue! This type of swelling usually goes away once the dental issue is resolved.

Allergies

Are there any new foods or medications you’ve tried lately? Sometimes our bodies react negatively to certain allergens which could result in soreness or puffiness.

Injury

You know how athletes often get muscle injuries from playing sports? Well/ Funnily enough/ tongues are made up of muscles too./ Unfortunately/, just because they’re located INSIDE our mouths doesn’t mean they can’t get hurt!

Inflammation

This happens when white blood cells rush towards an affected area (infections), causing a build-up of fluid.

One-sided Salivary gland enlargement

One thing that people don’t realize is that we have three pairs of salivary glands – sublingual (underneath the jaw), parotid (near the ears) and submandibular gland(lower face). Halitosis Or Dry Mouth trigger instances wherein some stones originate at duct locations within these organs. Only affecting one side indicates blockages despite enlargement not showing signs

Tonsillitis And Strep Throat

This type of tongue swelling is a result of streptococcus bacteria that impacts the entire throat, tonsils and the digestive tract causing soreness in swallowing food. The good news? This is usually managed with antibiotics.

When Should You Worry About Tongue Swelling?

Not every case of tongue inflammation needs medical attention. However, there are some warning signs to look out for /- don’t say you haven’t been warned!/:

  • Problematic Pain
  • If your swollen area begins producing unbearable pain, it’s best to visit your doctor or emergency care as soon as possible.

  • Fevers

  • Sores on your lips , fever over 100°F (around 38°C), illness lasting more than two weeks require medical advice.

Head straight to emergency if allergic reaction/lightheadedness combined with double vision and constant itching.

What Can You Do About It?

The treatment plan will depend upon the causative factor behind the swelling. Here are some helpful tips:

Dental Check-up

If you suspect dental issues fuelling this problem; book an appointment

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

An ibuprofen/tongue gel can help reduce inflammation in addition visiting dentists/specialists when favourable.

Warm Salt Water Rinses

Salt kills infections and promotes general oral hygiene so rinsing twice daily lessen any symptoms of irritation.

Cold Compresses

Utilizing cold compress remains common among acute symptoms like injury/swallowing difficulties which leaves useful outcomes.

“But my mouth still hurts!” How do I get relief?”

Over-The-counter Treatments Or Home Remedies

Various traditional methods contain healing properties providing quick relief for most people’s mild conditions without medical prescriptions from their doctors.

Method Description
Coconut Oil Pulling Swish a tablespoonful around inside mouth 1 minute each day before brushing teeth
Aloe Vera Cut one quarter off Aloe Vera, chew it or apply directly on the surface of a swollen tongue
Peppermint Tea Rinse your mouth with cooled peppermint water

Good Habits!

In order to prevent sudden flare-ups in the future, adopting good oral hygiene should be made routine. Brushing twice/thrice daily and flossing at least once each day keeps bacteria afar from our mouths!

Conclusion

While half of my swelling tongue isn’t something glamorous, as long as you know what caused that ballooning lump; there’s no need to panic or unless devastating allergies/injury develop. Since prevention is better than cure; developing positive habits care for our mouths remains non-negotiable!

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