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Tongue Health
How to Soothe a Burnt Tongue Download ArticleExplore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Cool your tongue down immediately with icy water. 2 Eat or drink cold dairy products. 3 Place sugar or honey on your tongue. 4 Rinse your mouth with saltwater. 5 Take over-the-counter painkillers. 6 Apply an over-the-counter topical oral anesthetic. 7 Avoid hot, spicy, and acidic foods and drinks. 8 Keep your mouth clean. 9 Don’t brush your tongue. 10 Avoid smoking or using tobacco products. 11 Go to the doctor if you have blisters or signs of an infection. 12 See a doctor if your epiglottis becomes swollen. 13 Talk to your doctor if your tongue feels burnt for no reason. + Show 10 more... - Show less... Other Sections Comments Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Last Updated: March 26, 2025 Approved
Download Article X
This article was co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 57 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 2,924,718 times.
Whether you bit into your pizza before it was cool or you sipped your coffee too soon, burning your tongue is no fun. Luckily, there are a number of ways to treat your burnt tongue yourself, from natural remedies to over-the-counter pain relievers. With the right soothing treatments, most minor tongue burns feel all better within a few days.
Steps
1
Cool your tongue down immediately with icy water.
Download Article
Immediate relief is what the doctor calls for when you burn your tongue. Sip some ice-cold water and hold it in your mouth to soothe your tongue. Alternatively, suck on an ice cube or hold some crushed ice in your mouth.[1]XResearch source
Advertisement 2
Eat or drink cold dairy products.
Download Article
Chilly dairy products coat and soothe your tongue’s burnt tissue. Have a glass of cold milk or eat a cold cup of any type of yogurt. Whatever you have handy can really help relieve the pain of the burn![2]XResearch source
Ice cream and dairy-based popsicles are other good tongue-soothing options — you might as well enjoy your burnt tongue treatment!
3
Place sugar or honey on your tongue.
Download Article
No, this isn't just an excuse for a sweet treat. Believe it or not, placing either sugar or honey directly onto the burn can help soothe the pain, and it may even help speed the healing process. Let it sit on the area for a few minutes, then rinse your mouth with plain water.[3]XResearch source
You can use white sugar, caster sugar, or brown sugar for this—whatever you have on hand.
Anonymous
Jul 5
"I ate some chili and didn't even realize how hot it was! First, I drank some water, which didn't help. Then, I read this article and put some sugar on my tongue. The burn started soothing quickly, and then I sucked on an ice cube, which helped a lot."more comments..." more
Advertisement 4
Rinse your mouth with saltwater.
Download Article
Saltwater rinses provide some relief and kill bacteria. To make a rinse, mix 1/2 tsp (3 g) of salt with 1 cup (237 mL) of cool water. Rinse your mouth out with a saltwater solution after meals and before you go to bed.[4]X Trustworthy Source Cleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
If you normally use other types of mouthwashes, switch to saltwater rinses until your burn heals.
5
Take over-the-counter painkillers.
Download Article
Various common pain meds can provide quick pain relief. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are 2 good options that you might already have handy! Take the recommended dose according to the instructions on the medication’s packaging.[5]XResearch source
Never exceed the recommended dose or frequency for any medication or you may experience some unpleasant side effects.
Advertisement 6
Apply an over-the-counter topical oral anesthetic.
Download Article
OTC topical anesthetics meant for mouth sores can relieve major pain. Pick up an oral topical anesthetic gel or cream from your local pharmacy or drugstore. Apply it to your burned tongue according to the package’s instructions.[6]XResearch source
Benzocaine gel and lidocaine cream are 2 examples of OTC topical oral anesthetics you can use.
Don’t use any topical ointments that aren’t specifically designed to be used inside your mouth.
7
Avoid hot, spicy, and acidic foods and drinks.
Download Article
These are all irritants that can make your tongue hurt more. Stay away from things like acidic fruit juices and fruits, as well as tomatoes and anything with vinegar in it. Lay off the curry or anything else with hot spices in it and drink cold beverages only. You’ll be back to eating whatever you want soon enough![7]XResearch source
Alcohol and tobacco are also irritants that can make your burn feel worse and heal more slowly.
Advertisement 8
Keep your mouth clean.
Download Article
Good oral hygiene can help the healing process. Brush twice a day, floss, and rinse your mouth with water or saline several times a day. This will help prevent an infection—especially if the burn left you with a blister.[8]X Trustworthy Source Cleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
Don't use an alcohol-based mouthwash, as that could cause more irritation to the burned area.
Try making a healing mouth rinse by mixing 1 US qt (0.95 l) of water with 1 tbsp (14 g) of baking soda. Use this to cleanse your mouth after every meal.[9]XResearch source
9
Don’t brush your tongue.
Download Article
Brushing your tongue can irritate the burn more. Stick to brushing your teeth to keep up a good oral hygiene routine, but keep those bristles away from your poor burnt tongue. You can go back to brushing your tongue in a few days when your burn is all better![10]XResearch source
Keeping your mouth clean helps prevent infection, so it’s important not to stop brushing altogether.[11]X Trustworthy Source Cleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
Advertisement 10
Avoid smoking or using tobacco products.
Download Article
Stay away from cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine pouches or chews. These things are bad enough for you normally, but if you've burned your tongue, they can make the irritation even worse. If you do use these products, talk to your doctor about alternatives that might be less irritating while your mouth heals, like a nicotine patch. And if you don't currently smoke, don't pick up the habit now.[12]XResearch source
11
Go to the doctor if you have blisters or signs of an infection.
Download Article
This is uncommon, but it does happen occasionally. Usually, you'll stop eating or drinking something as soon as you realize it's too hot, so it's unusual to get a really serious burn on your tongue. However, if you notice any blisters on your tongue or lips, you could have a second-degree burn and you should see your doctor.[13]XResearch source Similarly, call for a check-up if you see signs of an infection, including:
Redness
Pain that persists for longer than a week
Swelling
Pus
Fever
Advertisement 12
See a doctor if your epiglottis becomes swollen.
Download Article
The epiglottis is the flap behind and below the back of your tongue. If your burn is severe, this flap, which covers your windpipe, can become inflamed and make breathing difficult. If you feel like it’s hard to breathe, or if you’re concerned about how bad your tongue burn is in any way, seek medical care.[14]X Trustworthy Source Cleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
If it’s been 2-3 days since you burned your tongue and it’s not feeling better, or if you develop any blisters in your mouth, see a doctor right away.[15]XResearch source
13
Talk to your doctor if your tongue feels burnt for no reason.
Download Article
This could be a condition called "burning tongue." In some cases, this might be caused by a nerve issue. However, it may also be caused by something like chronic dry mouth, a fungal infection, inflammation, an allergy, or a deficiency in certain nutrients.[16]X Trustworthy Source Mayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
Your doctor will help you determine whether there are any treatments that will help relieve your discomfort.
Advertisement
Comments
Margarita Downey
Jul 28, 2017
"The inside of my mouth, tongue and throat were poisoned by calcium oxalate crystals, after biting, by mistake, what I thought was an edible variety of the taro root. I suffered for three days waiting for my pain and swelling to subside naturally, but there wasn't much relief. This article gave many options for the pain. I will add that a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with half a teaspoon of baking soda alkalizes acids in the mouth and stomach and helps aid healing. "..." more Rated this article:
Imogen Jones
Mar 6, 2017
"This morning I was making myself a cup of tea, and stupidly I took a sip without blowing on it or playing my finger in it to make sure it wasn't hot. I immediately spit out the tea all over my kitchen table. I drank cold water right away, but that didn't seem to do the trick. When I got home from work, I looked up burn remedies for tongues and found this. I recommend using the sugar, relieved a lot of the discomfort. "..." more
Stephanie Sosniak
May 5, 2016
"Thank you so much. I burned my tongue, gums, and mouth on water that I thought was cold but had been boiled to clean my daughter's bottles. The breathing trick offered immediate relief so that I could think straight and assess the damage. I used honey to "clean" the burns and ice to soothe it. Then I mixed honey and aloe with some plain yogurt and that helped a lot too."..." more
Ana Bannister
Nov 2, 2022
"I poured sugar over the burnt area on my tongue and let it sit, holding my mouth so that the saliva wouldn't wash it away. And after a few minutes, I swallowed the sugar, forgetting all about it until now, about 24 hours later. My tongue would normally still be irritated, but it's back to normal!"..." more Rated this article:
Dell Dumont
May 23, 2017
"This article has helped me and my burning tongue situation. I had burnt my tongue while drinking soup, and it made my tongue feel itchy, rough, and dry. By trying some of the natural methods of clearing a burning tongue, I was able to sooth my burn in minutes."..." more Rated this article:
Anonymous
Jun 22, 2016
"The thing that helped the most was probably the honey. Once it sat on my tongue, the pain just vanished like magic. An ice cube is a close second. By the next day, my tongue was almost fully healed. So, I appreciate the tips that you suggested. Thanks!"..." more
Charlotte Williams
Jan 18, 2017
"This helped a lot. I burned my tongue on hot chocolate today, and it felt like my tongue was going to peel off. I put sugar on and it helped so much. I don't really want to put an ice cube on, but if it gets worse I will. Thanks wikiHow!"..." more
Bonnie
Dec 10, 2016
"I know in the past when I have had a tooth extracted, my dentist had me swish my mouth with salt water. I did that procedure when I burnt my tongue, and each day it helped lighten the soreness until completely healed."..." more
Anonymous
May 10, 2017
"The natural remedy of putting the sugar on my tongue helped so much. I burnt my tongue with coffee this morning and when I put the sugar on it it helped instantly! These tips helped a whole lot. Thank you!"..." more
Anonymous
Aug 20, 2024
"I burned my tongue while eating pasta so it was hard to swallow and eat. After I saw this article I drank a glass of cold milk and I will put honey on my tongue when I find it :D Now I can eat better!"..." more
Hayden Nelson
Mar 20, 2016
"This article actually did help me, the yogurt thing helped quite a bit. It was certainly only temporary relief, but much more comfortable relief than most of the other remedies nonetheless."..." more
Shubhi Tiwari
Apr 18, 2016
"I burned my tongue badly. I ate curd and it helped a lot. I kept the curd on my tongue and on the burnt areas for like 5-10 seconds before gulping the curd. Great tip, thanks!"..." more
Ja'Niya Bonvillain
Mar 28, 2016
"This article really helped me. Today I burnt my tongue on a scorching cappuccino so I tried the salt remedy. It was so quick that I forgot I even burnt my tongue."..." more
Anonymous
Mar 11, 2017
"It was great being able to find an article that gave me the information that I was looking for, without all the extra. Thank you for the help!"..." more
Mel Hanley
Sep 28, 2016
"My daughter burned her tongue and tried everything for the pain. The best remedy was vitamin e oil. She said it was like magic."..." more
Ayarna Starr
Oct 1, 2017
"The sugar and ice cube worked perfectly. I found that I had to do this for a while, but after a few hours my tongue was fine."..." more
Anonymous
Sep 10, 2017
"I think all the soothing tips helped a lot for me. By the way, I love your website. Thanks for all the amazing tips!"..." more
Anonymous
Jan 20, 2017
"The fact that most of these home remedies are with ingredients you can easily find in your pantry helped."
Shari Newton
Feb 16, 2017
"I burned my tongue trying to melt chocolate chips. It wasn't good. Ice and sugar helped me a lot."
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
Expert Q&A
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Question Does this work if you burnt it on hot chocolate? Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Expert Answer Yes, the strategies above work if you burnt your mouth with hot chocolate. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 19 Helpful 111
Question I've sucked on an ice cube five times, and I ate three spoonfuls of honey, but the pain still keeps coming back. What should I do? Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Expert Answer Try sucking in air to cool off your tongue, and do a cool salt water rinse. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 25 Helpful 75
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Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
"You need to keep your mouth extra clean while you have a burnt tongue. Brush your teeth and use antiseptic mouthwash regularly to prevent bacteria from getting into the wound." - Zander W.
"Stay away from citrus like orange and pineapple while your tongue is burnt. This includes orange juice! If you eat any citrus, it'll sting. " - Emmanuel T.
"Try freezing milk into ice cubes and then sucking on a milk cube. The iced milk will sooth and cool the tongue." - Oscar Z.
"If you use an ice cube, be sure to get it wet first. Otherwise it can stick to your tongue. " - James C.
"You can also eat a spoonful of peanut butter. It really helps! " - Claudia F.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
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Co-authored by: Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner This article was co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 2,924,718 times. 39 votes - 77% Co-authors: 131Updated: March 26, 2025 Views: 2,924,718 Categories: Featured Articles | Burns and Scalds | Tongue Health
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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Article SummaryX
As soon as you burn your tongue, counteract the heat by sucking on an ice cube or drinking something cold. You can also breathe through your mouth to allow cool air to soothe your tongue. If your tongue still hurts, try eating Greek yogurt to help cool the burn. You can also try rinsing your mouth out with saltwater to help speed your recovery. While your tongue is healing, avoid acidic and salty foods, as they may cause additional irritation. Keep reading to learn how to use pain relievers to help a burnt tongue!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner 39 votes - 77% Click a star to vote 77% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 131Updated: March 26, 2025 Views: 2,924,718
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Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Cool your tongue down immediately with icy water. 2 Eat or drink cold dairy products. 3 Place sugar or honey on your tongue. 4 Rinse your mouth with saltwater. 5 Take over-the-counter painkillers. 6 Apply an over-the-counter topical oral anesthetic. 7 Avoid hot, spicy, and acidic foods and drinks. 8 Keep your mouth clean. 9 Don’t brush your tongue. 10 Avoid smoking or using tobacco products. 11 Go to the doctor if you have blisters or signs of an infection. 12 See a doctor if your epiglottis becomes swollen. 13 Talk to your doctor if your tongue feels burnt for no reason. + Show 10 more... - Show less... Other Sections Comments Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS 
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Co-authored by: Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner This article was co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 2,924,718 times. 39 votes - 77% Co-authors: 131 Updated: March 26, 2025 Views: 2,924,718 Categories: Featured Articles | Burns and Scalds | Tongue Health 
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Immediate relief is what the doctor calls for when you burn your tongue. Sip some ice-cold water and hold it in your mouth to soothe your tongue. Alternatively, suck on an ice cube or hold some crushed ice in your mouth.[1] Advertisement 
Chilly dairy products coat and soothe your tongue’s burnt tissue. Have a glass of cold milk or eat a cold cup of any type of yogurt. Whatever you have handy can really help relieve the pain of the burn![2] 
No, this isn't just an excuse for a sweet treat. Believe it or not, placing either sugar or honey directly onto the burn can help soothe the pain, and it may even help speed the healing process. Let it sit on the area for a few minutes, then rinse your mouth with plain water.[3] 
Saltwater rinses provide some relief and kill bacteria. To make a rinse, mix 1/2 tsp (3 g) of salt with 1 cup (237 mL) of cool water. Rinse your mouth out with a saltwater solution after meals and before you go to bed.[4] 
Various common pain meds can provide quick pain relief. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are 2 good options that you might already have handy! Take the recommended dose according to the instructions on the medication’s packaging.[5] 
OTC topical anesthetics meant for mouth sores can relieve major pain. Pick up an oral topical anesthetic gel or cream from your local pharmacy or drugstore. Apply it to your burned tongue according to the package’s instructions.[6] 
These are all irritants that can make your tongue hurt more. Stay away from things like acidic fruit juices and fruits, as well as tomatoes and anything with vinegar in it. Lay off the curry or anything else with hot spices in it and drink cold beverages only. You’ll be back to eating whatever you want soon enough![7] 
Good oral hygiene can help the healing process. Brush twice a day, floss, and rinse your mouth with water or saline several times a day. This will help prevent an infection—especially if the burn left you with a blister.[8] 
Brushing your tongue can irritate the burn more. Stick to brushing your teeth to keep up a good oral hygiene routine, but keep those bristles away from your poor burnt tongue. You can go back to brushing your tongue in a few days when your burn is all better![10] 
Stay away from cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine pouches or chews. These things are bad enough for you normally, but if you've burned your tongue, they can make the irritation even worse. If you do use these products, talk to your doctor about alternatives that might be less irritating while your mouth heals, like a nicotine patch. And if you don't currently smoke, don't pick up the habit now.[12] 
This is uncommon, but it does happen occasionally. Usually, you'll stop eating or drinking something as soon as you realize it's too hot, so it's unusual to get a really serious burn on your tongue. However, if you notice any blisters on your tongue or lips, you could have a second-degree burn and you should see your doctor.[13] Similarly, call for a check-up if you see signs of an infection, including: 
The epiglottis is the flap behind and below the back of your tongue. If your burn is severe, this flap, which covers your windpipe, can become inflamed and make breathing difficult. If you feel like it’s hard to breathe, or if you’re concerned about how bad your tongue burn is in any way, seek medical care.[14] 
This could be a condition called "burning tongue." In some cases, this might be caused by a nerve issue. However, it may also be caused by something like chronic dry mouth, a fungal infection, inflammation, an allergy, or a deficiency in certain nutrients.[16] 
Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. 