Food Sensitivity or Allergy
A variety of factors could cause a sore tongue. One of the most common causes is food sensitivity or allergy. This diagnosis can be difficult, but it is crucial to identify. When you have a food sensitivity or allergy, your immune system identifies certain foods as a threat and attacks. The immune system releases histamine, an inflammatory chemical that swells the tongue and surrounding tissues, causing pain and irritation.
As expected, this inflammation can also cause some damage to cells in the mouth—cells that produce saliva, taste buds, and mucous lining. This leads to problems like dry mouth and difficulty swallowing. And if the problem isn’t identified and treated quickly, the damage can spread to other areas of the body. Unfortunately, many patients who find their tongues sore after eating don’t realize their discomfort could be a symptom of something much more serious until it’s too late.
