Why does my tongue hurt?

• One sore spot: usually a bite, burn, ulcer or inflamed taste bump.
• The whole tongue sore, red or smooth: think inflammation (glossitis), deficiency, infection or a reaction to a product.
• Burning with nothing visible: consider dry mouth, reflux or burning mouth syndrome.
• Sore under the tongue: ulcers or an injury from a sharp tooth.

The NHS notes that a sore tongue is not usually serious and is often easily treated, but also advises not to self-diagnose when it persists.

Bites and burns

Biting your tongue or burning it on hot food or drink causes pain and swelling that the NHS says should clear within a few days.

Mouth ulcers and canker sores

Round, painful, shallow sores, often with a white or yellow center and a red border. The NHS lists biting, sharp teeth, braces or dentures, irritating toothpaste, stress, hormonal changes and food intolerance among triggers. Most clear within one to two weeks.

Lie bumps

Small red or white bumps from irritated papillae that sting for a few days. Cleveland Clinic lists triggers including biting, stress, spicy or irritating candy and oral care products.

Irritants

Very spicy or acidic food, sour candy, alcohol, smoking, and toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate can all leave the tongue raw. MedlinePlus also lists irritating dentures and heavy smoking among causes of soreness.

• Oral thrush: white patches with a red, sore mouth; the patches wipe off to leave red spots. Treated with antifungal medicine.
• Geographic tongue: blotchy red patches with pale borders that move around and can sting with certain foods. See our geographic tongue guide.
• Oral lichen planus: white lacy lines with red sore areas, often on the cheeks too. See oral lichen planus.
• Vitamin deficiencies and anemia: the NHS lists a sore or red tongue, sometimes with mouth ulcers, among symptoms of B12 or folate deficiency anemia. See glossitis.
• Burning mouth syndrome: chronic burning, often worse later in the day, with a normal-looking mouth. See burning mouth syndrome.
• Nerve pain and diabetes: MedlinePlus lists diabetic neuropathy and neuralgia among causes of tongue pain.
• Mouth cancer: uncommon, but a sore or ulcer that does not heal, especially on the side or underside of the tongue, needs to be checked.

The NHS suggests:

• Use a soft toothbrush
• Drink cool drinks, through a straw if that is more comfortable
• Take acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen for pain if they are suitable for you
• Avoid toothpaste with sodium lauryl sulfate
• Avoid spicy, acidic or hot food and drink, smoking and alcohol

A salt-water rinse (half a teaspoon of salt in warm water) can help mouth ulcers, and a pharmacist can recommend numbing gels or antiseptic mouthwashes. Leave the sore area alone when cleaning your mouth; brushing or scraping a raw tongue slows healing.

The NHS advises seeing a GP or dentist if tongue pain does not go away or gets worse, if you have white patches, or if a mouth ulcer lasts more than 3 weeks, bleeds, or becomes more painful and red. MedlinePlus advises getting help if a tongue problem makes it hard to eat or breathe or does not go away. Swelling that affects breathing is an emergency.