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A sore or white tongue is not usually serious and is often easily treated.
use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth
brush your tongue or use a scraper to help improve a white tongue
use a straw to drink cool drinks
take paracetamol or ibuprofen
do not use a toothpaste that contains sodium lauryl sulphate
do not eat spicy, acidic or hot food and drink that may irritate your tongue
do not smoke
do not drink alcohol
You can ask a pharmacist:
Biting or burning your tongue with hot food or drink can cause pain and swelling. This should only last a few days.
A white tongue can be a sign of a health condition, such as anaemia, scarlet fever, lichen planus, leukoplakia, geographic tongue, mouth ulcers or oral thrush.
But do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried.
Read about lichen planus.
Read about leukoplakia.
Read about mouth ulcers.
Read about oral thrush (mouth thrush).
