There are several ways you can burn your tongue—drinking or eating something that is too hot, biting your tongue, or getting a chemical burn from dental work. When you burn your tongue, it can be painful and lead to additional symptoms. This article will discuss the causes, risk factors, and symptoms of a burned tongue.
Have you ever sipped your coffee too early, only to feel a burning sensation on your tongue and lips?
What about biting into something hot and spicy and feeling the same burning sensation?
These are common examples of burn injuries to the tongue. Although a burnt tongue will eventually heal itself, the time in between can be uncomfortable (or downright painful).
In this article, we’ll go over the causes and risk factors associated with a burnt tongue. That way, you can be prepared in case it happens to you and take the necessary steps to ease your discomfort.
What Is A Tongue Burn?
In simple terms, a tongue burn is an injury to the tongue caused by something hot, cold, acidic, or alkaline. The burn can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, depending on the cause and duration of exposure.
There are many potential causes of a burnt tongue, including:
- Drinking or eating something that is too hot
- Chemical burns from dental work
- Biting your tongue or other objects
- Burns from hot food, drinks, and utensils
- Acidic or alkaline food poisoning
- Radiation treatment to the head or neck area
Typically, a burned tongue will appear reddened and swollen, with a heightened sensation of heat and pain. In more severe cases, there may also be blisters or ulcers on the tongue.
A burned tongue will usually subside on its own. Since it is usually caused by a sudden exposure to extreme temperatures, the burn will generally heal in two or three days. In some cases, however, the injury can be more severe and require medical attention.
How Serious Is A Burned Tongue?
There are three levels of burn severity: first-degree burn, second-degree burn, and third-degree burn.
First-Degree Burn
A first-degree burn affects only the outer layer of the skin (or tongue) and causes redness and mild discomfort. This type of injury is usually not serious and can be treated with home remedies such as applying a cold compress to reduce inflammation.
You might not even notice a first-degree burn until several hours after it has happened. And it might not require any additional care.
Second-Degree Burn
If you have a second-degree burn on your tongue, it will be more painful than a first-degree burn. It may also cause blistering and swelling. This type of injury requires medical treatment, as it can lead to infection if not treated properly.
Second-degree burns are often caused by exposure to extremely hot liquids (beyond your regular cup of coffee), steam, or flames.
Third-Degree Burn
A third-degree burn is the most serious type of burn. It does not just affect the outer layer of tongue, but all layers underneath it as well. This type of burn can cause severe pain and will require immediate medical attention.
Third-degree burns are typically caused by exposure to extreme temperatures for a prolonged period of time. Since your tongue is on the inside of your mouth, this type of burn is unlikely.
A third-degree burn on your tongue will appear charred (i.e., black tongue) or white. It will also be accompanied by intense pain.
Burnt Tongue From Hot Liquid
Tongue burn from touching a hot surface
Burning mouth syndrome (from medication)
What Causes Tongue Burns?
There are several causes of tongue burns, and the severity of the burn will depend on the cause.
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Hot liquids and foods: Hot liquids and food are common causes of tongue burns, as they may be too hot for your mouth to handle or you may not have enough saliva (or other liquid) to cool it down.
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Exposure to acidic or alkaline substances: Substances like bleach, ammonia, battery acid, and household cleaners can cause tongue burns. These substances are generally found in a variety of highly corrosive housecleaning products. It is important to be careful when using these products, as even small amounts can cause serious burns if they come into contact with your skin or tongue.
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Chemical burn from dental work: A chemical burn occurs when a cleaning agent or other substance comes into contact with your tongue during dental work. This can cause a painful tongue burn that will require medical treatment.
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Radiation therapy: Exposure to radiation therapy for the head, neck, and mouth can cause tongue burns due to the high levels of heat and intensity of the treatment.
- Acid reflux: Acid reflux can cause a burning sensation on your tongue due to the acidity of the stomach contents. This type of burn is generally not severe and will subside on its own in time.
Certain medications can also cause burning tongue syndrome—a side effect that can occur when a medication interacts with the proteins in your saliva. Although your tongue might feel weird, this isn't usually particularly dangerous, though it can be uncomfortable or painful. In some cases, switching to a different medication may help reduce the symptoms.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Burned Tongue?
Depending on the severity of your burned tongue, you may experience a range of symptoms, such as:
- Redness and swelling
- Blisters or sores
- Tingling tongue
- Painful sensation when eating and drinking
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Difficulty speaking or tasting food
If your case is severe, you may also experience difficulty swallowing.
How Are Tongue Burns Diagnosed?
Tongue burns are typically diagnosed through a physical examination of the tongue. Your doctor may also take a sample of your saliva to check for infection or examine any open sores on your tongue.
They may also ask you questions about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle to help diagnose the severity of the burning sensation.
To properly treat your tongue burn, it’s important to identify the cause of the burn. You might know this right away if you’ve eaten something too hot, but if not, your doctor will help diagnose the cause so that they can provide the right treatment.
How Are Tongue Burns Diagnosed?
Tongue burns are typically diagnosed through a physical examination of the tongue. Your doctor may also take a sample of your saliva to check for infection or examine any open sores on your tongue.
They may also ask you questions about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle to help diagnose the severity of the burning sensation.
To properly treat your tongue burn, it’s important to identify the cause of the burn. You might know this right away if you’ve eaten something too hot, but if not, your doctor will help diagnose the cause so that they can provide the right treatment.
How To Heal A Burnt Tongue: Proven Methods
If you end up burning your tongue, there are a few things you can try to help soothe the pain and heal faster.
Cool Your Tongue Down Immediately
It’s important to cool down your tongue as soon as possible after burning it. Gently run cold water over the burn or place an ice cube in a cloth and press it against the burn for 10 minutes at a time (you can repeat this every hour). This will help reduce inflammation and pain.
Suck On Ice Cubes Or Popsicles
The cold temperature of the ice cubes or popsicles will help soothe the burn and reduce swelling. You can also suck on a piece of hard candy, such as peppermint, to help numb the pain.
If your burn is too severe, this might end up causing more pain, but it will alleviate it in most cases.
Sip And Soothe
Drinking cold liquids can help soothe your tongue. You can sip on ice water, tea, or broth to reduce pain and inflammation.
Especially if popsicles or ice cubes are too cold for you, a cool beveragewill help reduce your burning sensation.
Use A Topical Ointment
Over-the-counter topical pain relief creams are available to reduce inflammation and alleviate the burning sensation. Your local drugstore will probably carry ointments or gels that are specifically designed for burns and spots on your tongue.
Look for a product that contains lidocaine or benzocaine, which are both effective in relieving pain. You can also use hydrogen peroxide rinses or aloe vera gel to help reduce inflammation.
Rinse With Salt Water
Rinsing your mouth with salt water several times daily will help reduce swelling and speed up healing. The antibacterial properties of the salt may also help fight off any infection in the area.
To make a saltwater rinse, mix one teaspoon of salt with one cup of warm water and swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out.
Coat Your Mouth With Honey
Honey naturally helps reduce inflammation and speed up wound healing. You can coat the affected area with a thin layer of honey, either directly or mixed with a few drops of aloe vera gel.
Leave it on for about 10 minutes before rinsing off your mouth with warm water. Repeat this every few hours to help reduce pain and inflammation quickly.
You can also mix honey into a tea or a cold beverage to help coat your tongue and reduce the burning sensation.
Drink Milk
Have you ever eaten something really spicy and followed it up with a glass of milk? Milk is an effective agent in reducing the burning sensation caused by spicy foods.
The same applies to tongue burns—cooling and soothing properties from the fatty texture and cold temperature of milk can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Drink a cold glass of milk or add some to your other drinks (e.g., smoothies) when treating tongue burns.
If you don't drink milk, milk substitutes like soy milk or almond milk will have the same effect.
Take Over-The-Counter Painkillers
If your tongue burn is causing severe discomfort, you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help reduce the pain. These medications will help reduce inflammation and provide relief for your burning tongue.
When taking over-the-counter medicine, make sure to follow the dosage instructions on the package and not to take more than recommended.
Avoid Consuming Food And Drinks That Will Aggravate Your Tongue
When your tongue is burned, it’s best to avoid eating or drinking anything that will irritate the area. This includes highly spiced, acidic, hot, or cold foods and drinks.
Also avoid chewing gum and smoking cigarettes, as this can further aggravate your tongue and slow down the healing process. Stick with bland, soft foods that won't hurt when you eat them.
Keep Your Mouth Clean
If you want to ensure that your tongue burns heal properly, it’s important to keep your tongue clean. Use a soft toothbrush and gentle toothpaste to brush your teeth and gums twice daily, and remember to gently brush your tongue.
You can also rinse your mouth with a diluted mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water after meals. This will help prevent infection and ensure that the area is clean.
If your tongue isn't too sensitive, you could use a tongue scraper to remove any bacteria that might be lingering in your mouth.
See A Doctor
If the burning sensation persists after trying these remedies, it’s best to consult your physician or dentist. They can assess the cause of your burn and provide you with proper treatment so that it heals quickly.
They may advise you to take antibiotics if an infection is present (e.g., herpes on the tongue) or prescribe a steroid to reduce inflammation.
Your doctor may also suggest laser treatment if your burn is severe and has caused blisters on the tongue, which can help speed up the healing process.
Wrapping Up
Tongue burns are a common occurrence, but they can be quite painful. Fortunately, there are several remedies you can try to reduce the burning sensation and speed up healing.
Drinking cold liquids, using topical ointments, rinsing with salt water, taking over-the-counter painkillers, avoiding certain foods and drinks, and keeping your mouth clean are all effective remedies for a burnt tongue. And if the burning sensation persists, it’s best to consult your physician or dentist for advice.
By following these tips and taking good care of your tongue burns, you can help reduce pain and inflammation and speed up healing. With proper treatment, your burned tongue will be back to normal in no time.
Want to learn more? Here are the questions our customers ask us the most.
What Should You Eat After Burning Your Tongue?
Drink cold liquids, such as water or milk, to soothe your tongue. You can also try eating soft, bland foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, applesauce and soup. Avoid hot and spicy foods that may irritate the burn further.
How Can You Heal A Burnt Tongue From Coffee?
Similar to water and other hot fluids, a burnt tongue from drinking excessively hot coffee will heal on its own. In the meantime, you should avoid hot foods and drinks, stop smoking, and rinse your mouth with salt water. Additionally, you may want to try numbing the area with topical ointments or honey.
How Do You Heal Tongue Burn Fast?
Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix for tongue burn. The best way to heal your burnt tongue is to take steps to reduce the inflammation and avoid foods and beverages that can aggravate it. Beyond this, you can use topical ointments or rinses, take over-the-counter painkillers, and keep your mouth clean to speed up the healing process and make it more tolerable.
How Do You Heal A Burnt Tongue From Hot Tea?
Tea is similar to coffee in terms of the potential for burning your tongue. The best way to heal your mouth after a burn from hot tea is to reduce inflammation and avoid foods and drinks that may further irritate the area. Cold liquids, topical ointments, salt water, over-the-counter painkillers, and keeping your mouth clean can all help to speed up the healing process.
How Do You Heal A Burnt Tongue With Sugar?
When you drizzle a small amount of sugar over the afflicted area of your tongue, it can help to reduce the burning sensation. As your tongue dissolves the sugar, the sensation it provides can provide some temporary relief. Sugar isn't the best for your teeth, so you should take care to rinse your mouth with water or an antiseptic rinse to remove any lingering sugar.
How Do You Heal A Burnt Tongue From Hot Water?
Depending on how hot the water is (and how much of it came into contact with your tongue) the burn may range from mild to severe. To reduce the pain and heal a burnt tongue, you can try drinking cold liquids, using topical ointments, rinsing with salt water, taking over-the-counter painkillers, avoiding certain foods and drinks that will aggravate your tongue, and keeping your mouth clean. Beyond these measures, a burnt tongue will usually heal on its own.
Can You Burn Your Tongue From Smoking?
Yes, you can burn your tongue from smoking. The smoke and heat from the cigarettes can irritate and damage the delicate lining of your mouth and tongue, leading to burning sensations.
Smoking can also cause the development of varicose veins in your mouth, resulting in a purple tongue, and overuse of tobacco products can lead to oral cancer. It's always best to avoid smoking if you want to keep your mouth and tongue healthy.
Can COVID-19 Make Your Tongue Feel Burnt?
According to the ADA, tongue pain can be a symptom of COVID-19. If you are experiencing a burning sensation on your tongue and have tested positive for COVID, there's a chance that that is the cause. However, the burning sensation may be caused by something else entirely and should not be taken as a definitive sign of COVID-19 (and vice versa).
What Happens If Your Tongue Is Burnt?
If your tongue is burnt, you will notice a change in color on its surface. This may be red or bright pink (in the case of a first-degree burn) or white, gray, and leathery (in the case of a second-degree burn).
In severe cases, it may be black or white. And in the case of infection, you might see a yellow tongue.
Depending on the severity of the burn, you could experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, blisters, and loss of taste.
How To Prevent Burned Tongue?
The best way to prevent burned tongue is to be mindful of the temperature of your food and drinks. It’s important to allow hot foods and beverages to cool down before consuming them. Additionally, you should avoid putting too much pressure or force on your tongue while eating or drinking. Taking small sips or bites can help reduce the chances of burning your tongue.
Other causes of burnt tongue include smoking, drinking alcohol, eating acidic foods, and certain medical conditions. Avoiding the wrong foods and beverages, quitting smoking, and reducing your alcohol consumption can all help to prevent a burned tongue.
How Long Will It Take For My Tongue To Heal From A Burn?
The healing time for a burned tongue will depend on the severity of the burn. Generally, mild burns can heal within a few days while more severe ones may take longer to heal. In most cases, you may be able to manage any pain and symptoms with home remedies such as cold liquids, topical ointments, and salt water rinses. But these are mostly for pan relief, not for healing.
How Do I Know If My Tongue Is Healed From A Burn?
When your tongue returns to its normal appearance and you no longer feel any pain or discomfort, then it is safe to assume that the burn has healed. Additionally, your sense of taste should also be fully restored by this time. If you are still experiencing symptoms after a few weeks, then it’s best to speak with your doctor for further advice and treatment.
