Burning your tongue can happen to anyone, especially if you don’t realize how hot something is before you put it into your mouth. An oral burn can be serious, and you should take care of it right away. Read on to learn how to heal a burnt tongue to make sure your tongue stays healthy, and sooth the pain you might be in.
If you experience a severe burn you should always reach out to a professional, schedule an appointment at Trident Dental for a comprehensive oral examination or the emergency room where applicable.
Apply Cold Water
As soon as you burn your tongue you should reach for something cold. Much like a burn on your skin. This could be some ice water to run over your tongue. This will also keep the burn clean so that no bacteria can enter and cause infection.
Use a Salt Water Rinse
Over time the burn will need to heal, and one way to make this process faster is by using a salt water rinse. To do this you need 1/8 teaspoon of salt to an 8-ounce glass of warm water and then stir in the salt until it dissolves. Once it has you can swish this in your mouth several times a day to help with the healing process.
Use Honey
Another natural way to help your tongue heal faster is with the use of honey. This has been studied before for its antimicrobial properties which help faster healing. It’s been used for a long time, across the world in fact, as a way to heal burns. Simply place it on your tongue after the use of salt water to see best results.
Pain Relief
If your tongue is hurting quite badly then you may need the use of over the counter pain relievers. Especially if the burn is so bad that it has taken the small bumps from the top of your tongue. Use acetaminophen for pain and if there is any inflammation you can use ibuprofen to bring that down.
After Care
Remember to keep brushing your teeth even with a burnt tongue as it’s important more than ever to keep your mouth healthy. If you find your toothbrush to be irritating to the soft tissue in your mouth, buy a soft bristled toothbrush. After brushing your teeth you can use the salt water rinse if you find normal mouthwash to be too abrasive.
What to Eat
Try to stay away from hot foods which will irritate the burn further. Instead go for cold drinks and food such as applesauce, yogurt, soft fruit and pudding. This should be easy on your tongue and even help to soothe it. Make sure to drink more water than usual also, as this will wash away any debris left over from what you eat which could cause an infection or damage your mouth further.
Schedule Appointment
Contact us at Trident Dental to learn how we can help you with any questions or problems you might have about mouth pain, including burns and other symptoms that you may have because of it. We provide comprehensive dental services to help you keep your mouth healthy and have the best smile around.