When you burn your tongue, you may be less apt to brush and floss your teeth properly, for fear of further irritation from your toothpaste. Tongue irritants can also lead to soft tissue pain, including the soft tissues of your gums and lining of your cheeks. While time is the best healer for tongue burns, certain natural treatments can soothe irritated soft tissues inside your mouth. Here are three natural treatments for a burned tongue.

Saline Rinse

An oral saline rinse can help soothe your burning tongue. While you can purchase saline rinses at your local pharmacy, adding a pinch of salt to a cup of warm water will work just as well. Swish the saline solution around in your mouth a few times a day, taking care not to swallow it.

Saltwater has anti-infective and pain-relieving properties, which is why it is such a popular home remedy for sore throats. While saltwater rinses can help heal your burned tongue, limit your exposure to a few times a day. Too much saltwater can dry out your oral mucosa, which may actually increase irritation inside your mouth and harm your gums. 

Chamomile Tea

Sipping chamomile tea is a soothing oral agent, and will help minimize tongue irritation after a burn. It can also help reduce the bacterial count inside your mouth and may also help dampen inflammation. While chamomile tea can help heal your burn, drinking it too hot may scald the inside of your mouth.

If you are new to drinking herbal or other types of teas, speak to your doctor before overdoing it. Certain teas can interfere with your medications, raising the risk for cardiac arrhythmia, high or low blood pressure, dizziness, or an increased risk for abnormal bleeding. 

Liquid Antacid

An over-the-counter liquid antacid can quickly soothe a mouth burn. Simply take a small amount of antacid and swish it inside your mouth for a second or so. The antacid will coat the surface of your mouth, dull the pain, and promote healing.

Unflavored or fruit flavored antacids may work best, as mint flavors may intensify your pain. While it may not hurt you to swallow a small amount of the liquid antacid, if using it more than once a day, rinse your mouth out with water after using it. Ingesting too much antacid can lead to high levels of calcium, magnesium, or aluminum in your blood stream, and may also cause constipation or diarrhea.

If you have burned your tongue, consider trying the above natural treatments. If your discomfort persists for more than a few days, however, see a dentist for a complete oral examination and further treatment.