Tips for Preventing and Treating Swollen or Sore Tongues



Having a sore or swollen tongue can be uncomfortable and even painful. It can also make it difficult to speak, eat, and drink. Fortunately, there are some tips you can follow to prevent and treat swollen or sore tongues.

1. Avoid Irritants: One of the best ways to prevent a sore or swollen tongue is to avoid irritants that may cause inflammation in the mouth. Common irritants include spicy foods, acidic fruits and vegetables, alcohol, tobacco products, and certain medications. Additionally, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and use fluoride toothpaste.

2. Use an Antiseptic Rinse: An antiseptic rinse can help reduce inflammation in the mouth caused by bacteria or viruses that may be present on the tongue’s surface. To use an antiseptic rinse: mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water; swish around your mouth for 30 seconds; then spit out the solution. Do this twice daily until symptoms improve.

3. Suck on Ice Chips: Sucking on ice chips helps reduce swelling in the tongue by numbing it slightly while providing relief from pain caused by sores or cuts on its surface area. To do this properly: fill a glass with crushed ice; take small pieces of ice into your mouth one at a time; suck gently until all of the flavor has been extracted from each piece before discarding it; repeat as needed throughout the day as needed for relief from pain and swelling in your tongue area .

4. Take Over-the-Counter Medication: Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help reduce swelling and discomfort associated with swollen tongues when taken according to package instructions every four hours as needed for relief from pain and inflammation associated with swollen tongues .

5. See Your Doctor: If home remedies fail to provide relief from pain and swelling associated with swollen tongues then contact your doctor immediately for further evaluation since this could indicate an underlying medical condition such as oral herpes or oral thrush which require medical intervention for proper treatment .

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sore tongue, swollen tongue, irritants, antiseptic rinse, ice chips, over-the-counter medication, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, oral herpes, oral thrush,

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