Do you like to eat sweets with a sour taste? While the sweetness is hard to resist for fans of sour foods, if consumed in large quantities, the very high acid levels in the candy can make the tongue feel uncomfortable or even painful. Although there is no instant cure to normalize the tongue quickly afterwards, there are some tips you can try to relieve the discomfort that appears. If you want to use medical drugs, try choosing an oral benzocaine gel that you can buy without a prescription at the pharmacy. On the other hand, if you want to restore the condition of your tongue naturally, please apply some of the tips listed in this article.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Applying Oral Benzocaine Gel
Step 1. Identify the area on the tongue that hurts the most
First of all, wash your hands thoroughly. Then, feel the tongue to identify the areas most affected, so that later topical medications can be used more accurately.
For example, if you bite a piece of candy in the center of your tongue, that is most likely the area that hurts the most
Step 2. Use a cotton swab to dry the area of the tongue that feels the most painful
Wipe the saliva over the painful area using a cotton swab. If you want, you can even wipe the saliva that sticks all over the surface of your tongue. However, stay focused on drying the area that will later be smeared with the medicine. Do not insert the cotton swab too deep to prevent the pharyngeal reflex that makes you want to vomit.
Some types of oral medication have been equipped with a cotton bud or other special applicator
Step 3. Apply the product to the tongue with the tip of a cotton bud
Dip a new cotton swab into a bottle of benzocaine gel, then lightly tap the tip of the cotton swab to the painful area. Make sure the drug layer is not too thick because in fact, the product will be absorbed by the tongue gradually.
Oral benzocaine gel can be purchased at most pharmacies
Do you know?
Oral benzocaine gel can be used by anyone over the age of 2 years. If you have a toddler who has pain in the tongue, don't forget to consult a doctor before giving the drug to your child.
Step 4. Allow the medicine to be absorbed by the tongue for 6 hours
Don't swallow the medicine! Instead, allow the medication to be absorbed by the tongue and relieve the pain that appears. If the tongue is still sore after 6 hours, please reapply a thin layer of benzocaine gel. In general, benzocaine gel can be used up to 4 times a day.
If the drug is accidentally swallowed, immediately contact the doctor or the nearest Emergency Unit (ER)
Method 2 of 3: Soothe the Tongue
Step 1. Put a pinch of baking soda on the sore tongue area
Relieve pain naturally by putting about 1 tsp. baking soda in the most inflamed areas. Leave the baking soda for 2-3 minutes, or until the pain goes away. After that, please throw it away.
Step 2. Compress the tongue with a piece of ice cubes
Place a small piece of ice on the area of the tongue that hurts the most. Don't chew or swallow it! Instead, let the ice cubes melt on your tongue. Although this solution is temporary, at least the pain can disappear quickly afterward.
Do not use ice cubes that are too large. Instead, use an ice cube that is similar in size to the area of the pain
Step 3. Relieve pain by gargling with a salt water solution
The trick, just dissolve tsp. salt in 120 ml of warm water. Then, rinse your mouth with the solution for a few seconds, making sure the solution touches the sore area of your tongue. After that, discard the solution immediately and do not swallow it. If you wish, you can also gargle with tsp of the mixture. baking soda instead of salt with 120 ml of warm water.
Step 4. Reduce discomfort by taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Some examples of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can be purchased without a prescription at pharmacies are ibuprofen and acetaminophen; both are useful for relieving pain and inflammation on your tongue. Before taking it, don't forget to read the recommended dosage listed on the drug package, and don't take the drug more than the recommended dose. If the pain does not subside, please take an additional dose a few hours later.
Method 3 of 3: Avoiding Additional Irritation
Step 1. If possible, avoid foods that are too salty, crunchy, or spicy
Monitor your diet for the next few days. No matter how big the temptation to eat salty and sour-flavored chips, try to resist it so that the tongue doesn't feel more painful afterward. In addition to snacks that are salty, crunchy, and sour, you should also avoid spicy foods.
If the tongue is feeling sore, you should stay away from foods that are too acidic, such as pickles or citrus fruits
Step 2. Do not drink hot drinks that are at risk of making the tongue feel sore
Try changing your routine by not drinking hot coffee or tea throughout the day. If one or both are your favorite drinks, try drinking them cold. As an alternative, you can also consume a smoothie or milk shake.
Sometimes, cold drinks will also cause an uncomfortable feeling when consumed when the tongue is sore. To minimize the sensation, try drinking milk or water using a straw
Step 3. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean your teeth
Unfortunately, you shouldn't stop brushing your teeth even if your tongue hurts a lot. However, the process can be made much more comfortable by using a soft-bristled toothbrush. If you don't have one, try looking at the supermarket or buy a toothbrush specifically designed for children. Then, use gentle circular motions when brushing your teeth, especially when touching the area around your tongue.
Try not to rub or irritate the tongue with the bristles of the toothbrush. Be careful, the intensity of the pain in your tongue may increase after that
Step 4. Choose a toothpaste that does not contain SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) or specifically, has an SLS-free label on the package
If the tongue is feeling sore, you should choose a toothpaste that is made from softer ingredients. If necessary, change your toothpaste product until the pain in the tongue is completely gone.
Do you know?
Some people claim that toothpaste that does not contain SLS is effective in relieving pain and sores in the tongue area.
