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Chugging that steaming cup of coffee or digging into pizza straight from the oven is a surefire way to give yourself a painful burnt tongue.
However, that tender, sensitive sensation will usually resolve within 10-14 days as new cells grow to replace the singed ones.
In the meantime as you wait for your tender tongue to heal, here's what you can do to help soothe the pain and sensitivity.
The first thing you should do after burning your tongue is try to cool it down. You can do this by drinking cold water or chewing ice chips.
The sooner you do this, the better. "The quicker you get it on there, the more you're reducing the amount of heat penetrating into the tissue," says Stephen J. Stefanac, DDS, MS, clinical professor of Oral Medicine and Periodontics at University of Michigan School of Dentistry.
Consuming certain types of food and drinks can further irritate a burnt tongue. Stefanac says you should avoid things like
These can all cause discomfort to a burnt tongue. "Alcohol is both an irritant and can delay healing of the injured cells. Spicy foods don't affect healing but can make a sore tongue more painful," says Stefanac
Additionally, you want to avoid hot drinks so you don't burn your tongue again, which will further delay the healing process.
Does sugar help a burnt tongue? While you may have heard of this remedy, Stefanac says this is a myth, and there's no scientific evidence to suggest that sugar would help a burnt tongue.
While dentists typically recommend that you brush your tongue twice daily, Stefanac says you should take a break while your tongue is healing from a burn to prevent irritation and further pain.
Milk products can make a burnt tongue feel better because they coat the tongue and also have a cooling effect, says Stefanac. To reap the benefits, try eating yogurt or drinking milk.
Saltwater rinses can provide symptom relief and reduce bacteria in the mouth. Because of this, Stefanac says you can rinse with saltwater to soothe your tongue. Rinse after meals and at bedtime.
In a bowl or glass, mix together:
If the pain is severe, you can try numbing it with oral topical anesthetic gels meant for oral sores and toothaches, says Stefanac. Popular brands with these products are Anbesol and Orajel. The active ingredient that aids in numbing is benzocaine.
You can also reduce pain by taking medications internally. Stefanac says you can take whatever over-the-counter pain relief medications you normally take when you experience other types of pain, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.