Add one tablespoon of salt to a glass of warm water and stir to dissolve. Swish a mouthful around 30 seconds, concentrating on the sore area of the tongue. Spit out the water when you’re done. [5] X Expert Source Alina Lane, DDSBoard Certified Dentist Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.
If you have bitten all the way through your tongue, make sure to get to your doctor as soon as possible. [7] X Research source Once you’ve rinsed the tongue with cold water, you can try sucking on some ice to help with swelling and pain.
Sucking on an ice cube can be especially soothing if you’ve bitten or burned your tongue. [8] X Research source The melting liquid will also help you stay hydrated and prevent your tongue from drying out, which can make pain from a bitten or burnt tongue worse.
You can also apply honey to a sterilized wound dressing material rather than applying it directly. [10] X Trustworthy Source DermNet NZ Online clinical resource website written and run by dermatologists providing evidence-based information about dermatology and skin health Go to source
Eat soft, soothing and even cooling foods that won’t aggravate your tongue as you eat, such as smoothies, porridge and soft fruits like bananas. Yogurt and ice cream are also good options because they are cooling and soothing. Acidic foods and beverages, such as tomatoes, orange juice, soft drinks, and coffee can make your pain worse. Also avoid cinnamon and mint, which can increase your discomfort. Try toothpaste that is formulated for sensitive teeth or something without mint or cinnamon. Don’t smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco, which can exacerbate your discomfort.
Drink plenty of cool water or juices to keep your mouth moist. Try to avoid hot beverages like coffee or tea so that they don’t worsen the burning or painful sensations on your tongue. Avoid caffeine or alcohol, which can irritate your tongue.
Your doctor may use different diagnostic tools to determine the cause of your sore tongue. These include blood tests, oral cultures, a biopsy, allergy tests, and stomach acid tests. She may also give you a psychological questionnaire to rule out whether your sore tongue is related to anxiety, depression or stress. [13] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Your doctor may also tell you to discontinue certain medications to rule them out as a cause of your sore tongue. [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Three medications commonly prescribed for a sore tongue are amitriptyline, amisulpride, and olanzapine. These drugs work by blocking the action of gamma-butyric acid, which may be responsible for the pain or burning sensation in the tongue. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Your doctor may also advise that you take an over the counter pain reliever to help relieve the discomfort of a sore tongue, especially if you are having trouble sleeping. [16] X Research source Popular over-the-counter painkillers include acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. Follow your doctor’s orders for taking pain relievers or the instructions on the packaging. [17] X Research source
Use throat lozenges or sprays every two to three hours, or according to the package or your doctor’s directions. [18] X Research source Make sure to suck on the throat lozenge until it has completely dissolved. Don’t try to chew it or swallow it whole, which may numb your throat and make it difficult to swallow.
The cream will initially increase the pain sensations on the tongue, but these will subside quickly. [20] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Be aware that the prolonged use of capsaicin cream can damage fibers in the tongue tissue, leading to a permanent loss of sensation. [21] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Benzydamine relieves pain by blocking prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals that are produced when there is pain from inflammation. [23] X Research source Pour 15 ml of benzydamine into a cup and then swish it around your mouth for 15 to 20 seconds before spitting it out.
A sore tongue can have many causes including fungal, viral, or bacterial infections of the mouth, nutritional deficiencies, ill-fitting dentures, teeth grinding or over brushing your tongue, allergies, stress, or anxiety. [24] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source A sore tongue may also be the result of burning mouth syndrome. [25] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source You may not notice any physical changes to your tongue or mouth with a medical condition. Or, you may experience common signs of irritation or infection, such as the white plaque coating the tongue in oral thrush, bumps, ulcers, or a burning sensation. [26] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
