Burned tongue how long to heal

This can disrupt the ability of the microvilli to accurately detect what it is tasting or sensing. That is why when the tongue is burned, food and drink may taste different until it has healed. The taste buds for sour things are located on either side of the tongue. These tastes will be affected temporarily depending on exactly where you burn your tongue. Three different types of burns For the majority of people, burns to the tongue are superficial and heal quickly, but there are three types of burns that can be sustained:.

If you suffer a first degree burn on the tongue some simple first aid steps will help:. Second and third degree burns on the tongue are more serious and should be checked immediately by an ear, nose, throat doctor to ensure that infection does not set in. The tongue can heal quickly There is no way to say precisely how long it will take a tongue burn to heal, but in general it should take two weeks or less. The tongue, lips, and tissues in the oral cavity heal quickly for several different reasons.

Burning the tongue hurts. The good news is that for most burns of the tongue, simple first aid steps can reduce the discomfort and the burn will heal in a short period of time.

The important thing to remember is if you do burn your tongue and it is not getting progressively better, contact an ear, nose, throat specialist right away. Not only will it help the burn feel better, but it will keep you hydrated so that your mouth can produce enough saliva to protect the burned area from bacteria.

Soft, cold foods will help to numb the sting of the burn, so open up the fridge and grab a yogurt, fruit cup, or applesauce. It might even be a good reason to spring for a smoothie or some frozen yogurt, and make sure to keep drinking cool water as well. You might have learned from your grandma to gargle salt water when you have a sore throat.

Well, she was right! Swishing or gargling salt water is also a great remedy if you have sore gums, have recently had a dental procedure, or even if you burned your tongue. When we swish salt water , it temporarily makes our mouths more alkaline, which makes life difficult for harmful oral bacteria. To make your salt water rinse, just add half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and stir. Swish it around your mouth for about thirty seconds, spit, and repeat! Another way to speed up the healing process for your burned tongue is to apply sugar or honey directly to the tender area.

This is another remedy that predates modern medicine. Sugar is a quick source of energy for the cells that are trying to heal, and studies have shown that honey is even more effective at promoting healing than sugar. Just make sure to drink some water afterward to rinse away any sweet residue. The delicate tissues inside your mouth allow you to taste a variety of flavors — but are easy to injure, too. Just one bite or sip can leave you dealing with a first-degree burn , or damage to your first layer of skin.

The good news? To help with the discomfort, Dr. Goldman recommends:. The epiglottis is a flap that covers your windpipe. Mouth burns become more serious if the epiglottis is inflamed or swollen after a scalding burn. Scarring at the corners of the mouth can also lead to complications, including microstomia the inability to open the mouth as wide as you need to. And discuss any concerns about physical abuse, underlying diseases and follow-up care with a healthcare professional.