Something we hear about from patients quite often is experiencing a burned tongue. We are referring, of course, to the mild inflammation and discomfort that follows when you accidentally eat something that is too hot for your oral tissues. To help you make more sense of this dilemma, we would like to provide you with answers to frequently asked questions. You’ll see that there actually are some helpful ways to deal with this when it happens to you.

Questions and Answers

Question: Should I rinse my burned tongue with cold water?

Answer: Yes! Cold water is a wonderful start to neutralize pain and lubricate your mouth for improved comfort.

Question: What can I do to help my burned tongue heal more quickly? Is there an immediate fix?

Answer: Unfortunately, like any other part of your body, you will need to give your tongue time to heal. You should, however, remember to rinse with saltwater when you can. It will make the discomfort less intense and will keep the area nice and clean to promote swift recovery (by providing antiseptic properties that will help with healing, while assisting in the reduction of both inflammation and pain).

Question: What if I don’t remember eating or drinking anything hot but my tongue feels like it’s on fire? Should I just wait it out?

Answer: The best thing to do if you experience what feels like a burned tongue without any particular cause is to contact us to schedule a dental checkup. As a result, if something like dry mouth or otherwise is causing the problem, we can identify it and offer a solution.