A sore or white tongue isn't usually serious and is often easily treated. Most should only last a short time.
Things you can do yourself
Do
-
use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth
-
use a toothpaste that doesn't contain sodium lauryl sulphate
-
brush your tongue or use a scraper to help improve a white tongue
-
use a straw to drink cool drinks
-
take painkillers
Don't
-
do not eat hard, spicy, salty, 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
A pharmacist can look at your tongue and might be able to tell you:
- what's causing it
- if you can buy anything to help with any pain or irritation
- if you should see a dentist or GP
Non-urgent advice: See a GP or dentist if you:
- have pain or itchiness that doesn't 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. But this should last only a few days.
A white tongue can be a sign of a health condition.
Don't self-diagnose – see your GP if you're worried.
Lichen planus
![Open mouth showing bottom row of teeth, with white patches on the tongue and inside the cheek](https://assets.nhs.uk/prod/images/C0234316-Lichen_planus_of_the_mouth-SPL_5TiqNm.width-320.jpg)
DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Read about lichen planus.
Leukoplakia
![Pink tongue poking out of the mouth with solid white patches on the left side and tip](https://assets.nhs.uk/prod/images/BPG54A.width-320.jpg)
Alamy Stock Photo
Read about leukoplakia.
Geographic tongue
![Pink tongue with patches of white poking out of mouth](https://assets.nhs.uk/prod/images/C0345382-Geographic_tongue-SPL.width-320.jpg)
DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Read about geographic tongue.
Mouth ulcer
![White/grey round sore on the side of a tongue poking out of mouth](https://assets.nhs.uk/prod/images/C0051857-Aphthous_ulcer_on_the_tongue-SPL_1.width-320.jpg)
DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Read about mouth ulcers.
Oral thrush
![Tongue with solid white patch from the middle to the back](https://assets.nhs.uk/prod/images/C0017334-Oral_thrush-SPL_1.width-320.jpg)
DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Read about oral thrush.
Page last reviewed: 19 May 2017
Next review due: 19 May 2020