A burning tongue is condition in characterized by a burning or tingling sensation on the lips, tongue, or entire mouth, and is often caused due to a problem in the nerves connected to the tongue. It can be caused by a decreased supply of blood to the tongue.
What are the causes and symptoms? The causes for a burning tongue can include tongue injury, bad oral habits, acid reflux, medications, nerve damage, irritating dentures, endocrine disorders, hot drinks or food, a deficiency of vitamin B12, and hormonal imbalances, especially during menopause. You may experience dryness or soreness in your mouth, a burning sensation in the mouth and tongue, loss of taste, and a bitter taste in the mouth. A burning tongue can also occur due to the foaming agent, sodium lauryl sulphate, used in toothpastes. Psychological factors such as anxiety and depression can heighten the possibility of a burning tongue. It happens more among women than men.
What are the remedies? For simple and immediate relief you can suck a piece of ice or chew a sugar free gum. You may brush your teeth with baking soda in place of commercial toothpastes or choose toothpaste that is free of sodium lauryl sulphate.
You can try applying glycerin or petroleum jelly on your tongue before you go to bed, or as often as you can. This will help relieve the burning feeling. You can also try taking a little butter and roll it in your mouth and leave for sometime before you swallow. Do take plenty of yogurt or butter milk to cool your body and clear the burning in your tongue. Drink plenty of fruit juice or have fruits and green leafy vegetables which will not only help cure a burning tongue, but will also flush toxins from the body.
You can increase your intake of vitamin B rich foods. You can also try a herb called Acacia Arabica. You can take a decoction of this to relieve the pain. It also fights inflammation and is the best remedy for a burning tongue.
You should avoid spicy and hot foods as they will increase the burning sensation and make the symptoms persist for a longer period. Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moistened as dry tongue can be more painful. Avoid tobacco in all forms as it is harmful for oral health. Avoid smoking as it hampers with the healing process and can lead to many other problems.