A sore or white tongue is not usually serious and is often easily treated.
Do
use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth
brush your tongue or use a scraper to help improve a white tongue
use a straw to drink cool drinks
take paracetamol or ibuprofen
Don't
do not use a toothpaste that contains sodium lauryl sulphate
do not eat spicy, acidic or hot food and drink that may irritate your tongue
do not smoke
do not drink alcohol
You can ask a pharmacist:
- what's causing your sore or white tongue
- if you can buy anything to help with any pain or irritation
- if you should see a dentist or GP
See a GP or dentist if:
- you have tongue pain or itchiness that does not go away or gets worse
- you have white patches on your tongue
Biting or burning your tongue with hot food or drink can cause pain and swelling. This should only last a few days.
A white tongue can be a sign of a health condition, such as anaemia, scarlet fever, lichen planus, leukoplakia, geographic tongue, mouth ulcers or oral thrush.
But do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried.
Lichen planus
Read about lichen planus.
Leukoplakia
Read about leukoplakia.
Geographic tongue
Read about mouth ulcers.
Oral thrush (mouth thrush)
Read about oral thrush (mouth thrush).
16 April 2025
