How to Soothe a Burned Mouth
A slice of hot pizza or a too-hot coffee can leave your mouth stinging for days. Here is how to calm the burn and help it heal.
Hot coffee, a fresh slice of pizza, or soup straight off the stove can easily scald the roof of your mouth or your tongue. Most of these burns are minor and heal within a week, but a few simple steps can make that week a lot more comfortable.
Right After the Burn
- Sip cool water or hold it in your mouth for a few minutes
- Let an ice chip or a spoonful of cold yogurt rest on the area
- Avoid more hot food and drinks for the rest of the day
While It Heals
- Rinse gently with warm salt water a few times a day
- Choose soft, cool foods such as yogurt, smoothies, and applesauce
- Skip spicy, acidic, salty, and crunchy foods that sting or scrape
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed, following the label
- Use an over-the-counter oral numbing gel for short-term relief
- Do not pick at loose skin or blisters
When to Call Us
Contact us if the burn is severe, blistered over a large area, shows signs of infection such as increasing pain, swelling, or pus, or has not improved after a week or two. A burning sensation that appears without any obvious cause can have other explanations, including dry mouth, nutritional deficiencies, or burning mouth syndrome, and is worth getting checked. Get in touch or learn about our general dentistry care.