• Home remedies
• Medicines
• Causes
• When to contact a doctor
• FAQs
• Summary

Tongue soreness can be widespread or occur on one or both sides of the tongue. Treatments will largely depend on the cause, but may include good oral hygiene, mouth rinses, or certain medications.

A person can treat a sore tongue with some simple home remedies. However, certain health conditions may trigger tongue pain, and these will need medical attention.

This article explores home remedies and different medications for a sore tongue, as well as potential causes of pain.

Sore tongue home remedies

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There are many ways to treat a sore tongue. Home remedies and other methods include:

Maintaining good oral hygiene

Good oral health can help maintainTrusted Source overall good health. Keeping the mouth clean could help heal a sore tongue. Brushing teeth and mouth rinsing reduces harmful bacteria, which lowers the risk of infection.

A person should use a soft toothbrush to avoid irritating and scratching the mouth. They should also avoid using strong mouthwash, as this could aggravate sore tongues.

Sucking on ice

Sucking ice chips could help easeTrusted Source the discomfort of a sore tongue. People should take care not to chew or bite into the ice, which could damage the tooth enamel or break a tooth.

A person should leave ice chips out of the freezer for a few seconds before putting them in the mouth. This melts the surface, reducing the risk of an ice chip sticking to the tongue.

Mouthrinses

If a person has a tongue injury, keeping the wound clean could promote healing. Additionally, certain mouthrinses may also provide pain relief. Alternatively, a person can also use a salt water rinse to help with wound healing.

Rinsing the mouth with cool chamomile tea

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative HealthTrusted Source, chamomile is a herbal remedy that can soothe mouth sores. Although it is generally safe, there is limited evidence for its benefits.

People commonly consume chamomile as an infusion or in tea. To treat a mouth sore, a person can gently rinse the mouth with cooled tea. They can also soak a chamomile tea bag and press lightly on to the affected area.

Applying honey to the sore

A 2021 review notes that honey has antibacterial properties and may promote wound healing after a burn. Some evidence suggests that honey is a natural remedy for mouth sores, that can help reduce inflammation and help fight infections.

Being mindful of foods and drinks

Spicy, salty, or acidic foods may irritate the tongue and mouth. People should try to cut out spicy curries and meals that contain a lot of citric acid until a sore tongue heals. They should also avoid crunchy foods with sharp edges, such as chips, which could injure the tongue.

Soda can also irritate sore tongues or canker sores, so if a person wants to drink these beverages, they should use a straw.

Avoiding smoking

Smoking can negatively impact oral health, and can affect the tongue. As such, people with a sore tongue who smoke regularly may wish to try to quit smoking. For example, nicotine patches may help them with smoking cessation.

Read on to learn more about tips to quit smoking.

Sore tongue medicines

If home remedies are not effective, a person may consider using over-the-counter (OTC) products, such as pain relievers. For infected sores, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

Pain medication

OTC pain medication may reduce the discomfort of a sore tongue. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, could help reduce swelling. In certain cases, a doctor may be able to prescribe stronger pain medications.

Topical gel

Topical gels may easeTrusted Source pain due to canker sores on the tongue by numbing the area. These gels also provide a barrier against further irritation. This medication is available over the counter, but stronger topical gels may need a prescription.

Prescription mouthwash

A doctor may prescribe a medicated mouthwash to ease painful tongue sores. Therapeutic or medicated mouthwashes contain active ingredients that cosmetic mouthwashes do not.

Vitamin supplements

A lack of certain vitamins may increase the riskTrusted Source of developing canker sores. People can take supplements to reduce this risk and support their immune system.

However, people who undergo chemotherapy should speak to their doctor before they start taking vitamin supplements.

Medication to stimulate saliva

According to the ADA, dry mouth, or xerostomia, may cause oral thrush. People may experience a dry mouth after taking some medications. To treat this, a doctor can prescribe medication to encourage the mouth to produce saliva. Drinking enough fluids and chewing sugar-free gum may also help.

Antibiotics

If a sore tongue is due to a bacterial infection, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Symptoms include pain, inflammation, and the wound not showing any signs of healing.

Causes of a sore tongue

There are many triggers for a sore tongue, with some more serious than others. These can include:

Canker sores

Canker sores are small ulcers that are usually white or grey, and can sometimes appear with a red border. They usually heal within 2 weeksTrusted Source. Major canker sores may last slightly longer, and can take up to 4 weeks to heal.

Trauma

It is easy to burn or bite the tongue when eating food. Loose wires from a brace or broken dentures may also injure the tongue.

If a person breaks their braces or dentures, they should get them fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the tongue and mouth.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy and some medications may causeTrusted Source sores on the tongue. These sores should heal after the treatment ends. A prescription mouthwash may help. People should seek medical advice when they choose a mouthwash, as there are several options.

Oral thrush

Oral thrush is a fungal infection that can cause red and white patches on the tongue and in the mouth. Other symptoms may include pain, bad breath, and difficulty swallowing.

When to contact a doctor

A person may wish to seek medical advice if a canker sore lasts for longer than 2 weeks, if there are multiple sores, or if an ulcer is large. A doctor may suggest medication.

People should see a dentist if a denture, brace, or tooth injures the tongue. This will help prevent further damage to the mouth.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a sore tongue last?

Minor cuts, burns, and canker sores should heal within 2 weeks. A sore tongue as a side effect of cancer treatment may appear 1 to 2 weeksTrusted Source after treatment starts and may persist until it ends. People can seek medical advice to ease painful symptoms.

How to cure a sore on the tongue?

Treatment for a sore tongue may depend slightly on the cause. However, general measures can include avoiding irritants, such as spicy or acidic food, alcohol, and smoking. Additionally, a person may wish to take pain medication and rinse with salt water.

What is a sore tongue a symptom of?

A sore tongue can be a potential symptom of many conditions. These can include injury, infections, medications, health conditions, or nutritional deficiencies.

What drink helps a sore tongue?

People may find that drinking cold beverages can help sooth a sore tongue. Others may find that rinsing with salt water, or drinking certain teas, such as chamomile tea may also help.

What medicine is good for tongue pain?

Different medications may be beneficial depending on the underlying cause of tongue pain. For example, if it is due to a bacterial infection, then antibiotics will help.

Generally, a person may be able to use topical anesthetics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or antiseptic mouthwashes.

Summary

Pain and discomfort can affect all or part of the tongue. A canker sore causes pain and irritation in a small area, while oral thrush may affect the entire tongue surface.

The treatment for a sore tongue depends on what causes it. In many cases, simple home remedies may ease pain and aid healing.

People can reduce the risk of tongue injuries from orthodontics and dentures with regular dental checkups. Good oral hygiene can help decrease the risk of oral infections and keep the mouth healthy.