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• Part 1 of 2: Treating a sore tongue with home remedies
• Part 2 of 2: Getting a diagnosis and taking medication

If you have a sore tongue, you may have symptoms such as pain, a burning sensation, or a dry tongue. A sore tongue can have a number of causes, including infections such as the fungal infection thrush, mouth ulcers and tongue burn, also called glossodynia or mouth burn. Your tongue may also hurt because you bit it or burn it. In some cases, the cause of a sore tongue is unknown. Depending on your symptoms and a possible medical diagnosis, there are different treatments to soothe a sore tongue and relieve the discomfort it causes.

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Part 1 of 2: Treating a sore tongue with home remedies

1. Rinse your tongue with cool water if you have bitten it. If you've bitten your tongue, rinse it off with cool water. This will allow you to remove all dirt, food particles, blood and other debris from your tongue and help prevent infection.
   • If you've bitten your tongue all the way, make sure to see your doctor as soon as possible.
   • After rinsing your tongue with cool water, you can suck on some ice to ease the swelling and pain.
2. Saber on an ice cube or a pop of water. If your tongue hurts and / or you have a burning sensation in your tongue, chew an ice cube or a pop of water. The cold will help numb the pain and reduce the swelling. It also makes your tongue feel a lot more pleasant.
   • Chewing an ice cube can be especially soothing if you've bitten or burned your tongue.
   • The melting liquid will also keep you hydrated and keep your tongue from drying out. Dehydration can cause a burnt tongue or a tongue that has been bitten to hurt even more.
3. Use a saline mouthwash. A warm rinse with a saline solution will clean your tongue and can soothe the pain you are experiencing. You can rinse your mouth every few hours until the pain and discomfort are gone.
   • Put a tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water and stir to dissolve the salt. Swish a small amount of the product around your mouth for 30 seconds, focusing on the painful part of your tongue. Spit out the water when you are done.
4. Avoid foods that could make a sore tongue worse. If you have a sore tongue, it is a good idea not to eat foods that could make the pain worse, such as spicy or acidic foods. Don't use tobacco either. You won't speed up the healing process by doing this, but it will probably make you feel more comfortable.
   • Eat soft, soothing, and even cooling foods that won't make your tongue hurt more while you eat, such as smoothies, porridge, and soft fruits like bananas. Yogurt and ice cream are also good options because they have a cooling and soothing effect.
   • Acidic foods and drinks, such as tomatoes, orange juice, sodas, and coffee, can make pain worse. Also, don't eat cinnamon and peppermint, as they can make you feel even more uncomfortable.
   • Try a toothpaste specially formulated for sensitive teeth, or something without peppermint or cinnamon.
   • Don't smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco, as this can make you feel even more uncomfortable.
5. Drink more fluids. Make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day. Not only does this help to reduce the feeling of a dry mouth, but it can also speed up the healing process.
   • Drink plenty of cold water or juices to keep your mouth moist.
   • Try to avoid hot drinks such as coffee and tea so that they don't make the burning or painful feeling in your tongue worse.
   • Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as these substances can irritate your tongue.

Part 2 of 2: Getting a diagnosis and taking medication

1. See your doctor. If you have a sore tongue and home remedies aren't helping, see your doctor. He or she will determine what is causing the pain and the right treatment for you.
   • A sore tongue can have many causes, including a fungal infection, a viral or bacterial infection in the mouth, a lack of certain nutrients, poorly fitting dentures, grinding your teeth, brushing your tongue too often, allergies, stress or anxiety. A sore tongue can also be caused by tongue burning.
   • You may not notice any physical changes to your tongue or mouth if you have a medical condition. You may also notice common signs of irritation or infection, such as the white deposit that covers your tongue when you have thrush, bumps, canker sores, or a burning sensation.
2. Get tested to get a diagnosis. If you have a sore tongue or symptoms of tongue burning, your doctor may request tests to determine the cause of your pain. Tests often cannot determine the cause of a sore tongue, but it will help your doctor work out the best treatment plan for you.
   • Your doctor can perform several diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your sore tongue. This includes blood tests, mouth cultures, a biopsy, allergy tests and stomach acid tests. Your doctor can also give you a psychological questionnaire to rule out that your sore tongue is caused by anxiety, depression, or stress.
   • Your doctor may also tell you to stop taking certain medications to rule them out as the cause of your sore tongue.
3. Take medicine for a sore tongue. Depending on what the studies show, your doctor may prescribe medications to treat the condition causing your sore tongue. If the tests cannot find a cause, your doctor may also prescribe medication or home remedies to relieve the pain and discomfort.
   • Three medications that are often prescribed for a sore tongue are amitriptyline, amisulpride and olanzapine. These drugs block the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid, an amino acid that can cause the pain or burning sensation in your tongue.
   • Your doctor may also advise you to take an over-the-counter pain reliever to relieve the discomfort of a sore tongue, especially if you have trouble sleeping. Popular over-the-counter pain relievers include acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin.
   • Follow your doctor's instructions for taking painkillers or follow the directions on the package.
4. Use throat lozenges or sprays. Throat lozenges or sprays containing a mild pain reliever can help soothe a sore tongue. You can buy throat lozenges and throat sprays at all drugstores or in their webshop.
   • Use the throat lozenges or sprays every two to three hours, or according to package directions or your doctor's instructions.
   • Make sure to keep nibbling on the throat lozenge until it is completely dissolved. Do not try to chew it or swallow the pastille whole. This can numb your throat, making it difficult for you to swallow.
5. Apply capsaicin cream to soften your tongue. Capsaicin cream is a topical pain reliever that can help relieve pain. You can apply capsaicin cream to your tongue three or four times a day.
   • The cream will make the pain in your tongue worse at first, but the pain will subside quickly.
   • Be aware that long-term use of capsaicin cream can damage the fibers in the tongue tissue, causing permanent numbness.
6. Use an antiseptic mouthwash. Use an antiseptic mouthwash such as benzydamine or chlorhexidine to treat infections on your tongue or mouth. These mouthwashes can also reduce pain and swelling on your tongue.
   • Benzydamine relieves pain by blocking prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals that are produced when you have pain from inflammation.
   • Pour 15 ml of benzydamine into a cup and then swish it in your mouth for 15 to 20 seconds. Then spit it out.