Do you have a burned mouth or tongue from sipping coffee that was too hot? You don’t have to suffer, thanks to these simple home remedies to soothe the pain.
It’s happened to the best of us at one time or another: We know that we should probably wait for that hot pizza to cool down before taking a bite, but it just looks so good. Next thing you know, the result is searing pain from a burned tongue, a burned mouth, and sometimes even burned gums.
The next time you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry. There are a number of things you can do to provide immediate relief for the pain and get your burned mouth back to feeling its best. Here are tips from dentists to help you heal and prevent such a burn in the future.
Top Dentist Tips for a Burned Mouth or Tongue.
The damage is done – the too-hot food has been consumed, and your burned mouth is in pain. Now what? Your first step is to get something cool to help immediately relieve the pain. An ice cube or frozen popsicle should help to alleviate the burning sensation. Next, it’s a good idea to coat your burned tongue or mouth with something soothing that provides another layer of relief. Milk is an excellent choice because of its coating action.
Once you’ve taken these steps for immediate relief, use over-the-counter medications to treat the burned tongue and mouth. Products such as Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or other pain medicine are all good choices.
As your burned mouth begins to heal, you want to steer clear of certain foods that could make the pain worse. Avoid sharp, crunchy foods or foods that may be spicy or contain citrus and could irritate your wound.
Preventing Future Burns
To avoid a burned tongue or mouth in the future, dentists say that the best strategy is simply to use common sense, especially when foods and beverages look piping hot or come straight from the stove top or oven. And be extra careful with hot drinks and hot foods. By taking smaller sips and/or bites of your food, you can avoid larger burns.
If you feel as though your mouth burn is getting worse or not healing properly, it is best to consult medical attention from your dentist.