Sore or white tongue

Sore or white tongue

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

Find a pharmacy

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 — White patches on the tongue and inside the cheek, with sore gums

Read about lichen planus.

Leukoplakia

Pink tongue poking out of the mouth with solid white patches on the left side and tip — White, raised patches on the tongue that don't come off when you rub them

Read about leukoplakia.

Geographic tongue

Pink tongue with patches of white poking out of mouth — Blotchy, red patches on the tongue that have a white or light-coloured border

Read about geographic tongue.

Mouth ulcer

White/grey round sore on the side of a tongue poking out of mouth — Round, painful and swollen sores that look like blisters

Read about mouth ulcers.

Oral thrush

Tongue with solid white patch from the middle to the back — Itchy, red mouth with white patches on the tongue

Read about oral thrush.

Page last reviewed: 19 May 2017
Next review due: 19 May 2020