Sore or white tongue

A sore or white tongue is not usually serious and is often easily treated.

Things you can do if you have a sore or white tongue

 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

A pharmacist can help with a sore or white tongue

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

Common causes of a sore or white 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.

Mouth ulcer

Read about mouth ulcers.

Oral thrush (mouth thrush)

Read about oral thrush (mouth thrush).