The evaluation of mouth or tongue pain begins with a history and physical examination.

Physical findings in someone with mouth or tongue pain may include:

• Inability to open the mouth all the way
• Inability to close the mouth all the way
• Red, swollen tonsils
• White pus on the tonsils
• Red throat
• Severe swelling of the tonsil on one side of the throat
• Mouth or tongue lesions
• Mouth or tongue ulcers
• Swollen glands in the neck
• Facial tenderness
• Facial swelling
• Tongue swelling
• Swelling under the tongue or chin
• Mouth swelling
• Gum swelling and redness
• White coloration to the lining of the mouth
• White coating on the tongue or throat

Testing may be necessary to identify the cause of mouth or tongue pain.

Tests that may be used to evaluate mouth or tongue pain include:

• Throat culture
• Biopsy of a mouth lesion
• Complete blood count
• Dental x-rays
• Jaw x-rays
• Soft tissue x-ray of the neck