Neuralgia
Neuralgia is a general term for a group of conditions that result from nerve damage. The damage in the mouth and throat can cause painful consequences such as a sore tongue.
The importance of nerves in the mouth and throat cannot be understated. These areas are rich with nerve fibers that allow taste, speech, swallowing, and sensation to work properly. Unfortunately, the nerves in the mouth and throat can damage through trauma or conditions such as diabetes, shingles, and amyloidosis. If the nerve is damaged, it cannot function properly, causing impairment to its associated functions. This can include things like muscle weakness or paralysis. However, it can also create pain sensations on the tongue.
If a person has a sore tongue but no other symptoms of neuralgia present, they may have glossalgia instead. This is caused by an irritated coating on the tongue known as a black hairy tongue (BHT), which looks like dark spots or patches on the tongue itself. BHT causes irritation and pain due to mechanical stimulation (such as eating) or thermal stimulation (such as hot liquids).
