A sore or white tongue is not usually serious and is often easily treated.
Things you can do yourself
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 hard, spicy, salty, acidic or hot food and drink that may irritate your tongue
-
do not smoke
-
do not drink alcohol
You can ask a pharmacist about:
- 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
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP or dentist if you:
- have pain or itchiness that does not go away or gets worse
- 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.
Do not self-diagnose. Contact your GP if you're worried.
Lichen planus
![Picture of white patches inside mouth](https://assets.hse.ie/media/images/Lichen_planus_yZqbW1m.width-320.jpg)
Leukoplakia
![white patches on tongue](https://assets.hse.ie/media/images/Leukoplakia.width-320.jpg)
Geographic tongue
![patches on tongue](https://assets.hse.ie/media/images/Geographic_tongue.width-320.jpg)
Mouth ulcer
![picture of mouth ulcer on tongue](https://assets.hse.ie/media/images/Mouth_ulcer.width-320.jpg)
Read about mouth ulcers.
Oral thrush
![picture of oral thrush on tongue](https://assets.hse.ie/media/images/Oral_thrush.width-320.jpg)
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE