Can Vitamin B Deficiency Cause A Sore Tongue?

Low levels of vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6 and folate, a B vitamin, can cause anemia, or a lack of healthy red blood cells. This condition often causes symptoms in the tongue, including soreness and inflammation.

Glossitis

Glossitis refers to the tongue condition characterized by swelling, soreness and changes in color. Low levels of iron, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6 and folate can cause this condition. Glossitis may cause difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking. Glossitis caused by a lack of B vitamins may cause a fiery red tongue, notes National Institutes of Health online medical encyclopedia Medline Plus.

Vitamin B-6 Deficiency

Vitamin B-6 plays an important role in red blood cell production. Many foods contain vitamin B-6, including fortified cereals, legumes, meat, poultry, seafood and some vegetables and fruits. Vitamin B-6 deficiency occurs only rarely in the United States. Alcoholics and older adults may be more vulnerable to vitamin B-6 deficiency, notes the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B-6 deficiency can cause glossitis as well as skin inflammation, convulsions, depression and confusion.

Vitamin B-12 Deficiency

Vitamin B-12 also plays an important role in red blood cell production, as well as in neurological function, protein and fat metabolism and DNA synthesis. Animal-based foods such as liver, clams, trout, salmon, beef, turkey and chicken provide vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 deficiency affects as much as 15 percent of the population, according to the National Institutes of Health. B-12 deficiency can cause glossitis as well as weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, numbness and tingling in hands and feet and, in severe cases, memory loss, depression and dementia. Individuals at high risk for B-12 deficiency include vegetarians and vegans, individuals who have had gastrointestinal surgery and individuals with atrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia, Crohn's disease or celiac disease.

Folate Deficiency

Folate, a B-vitamin found in green, leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and legumes, assists in the production of healthy red blood cells. Pregnant women, alcoholics and individuals with kidney failure or liver disease have an increased risk for folate deficiency. Symptoms of folate deficiency may include sore tongue, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, heart palpitations and behavioral disorders. Folate deficiency in pregnant women can increase the risk of preterm birth and neural tube defects in infants.

Other Causes

Other possible causes of glossitis include allergic reactions to toothpaste, mouthwash or dyes in candy, bacterial or viral infections such as oral herpes, burn injuries, yeast infection, skin conditions and irritants such as tobacco, alcohol, hot foods and spices.