What Are the Treatments for Mouth Burns?

Mouth burns can occur when you eat food or have a drink that is too hot, and results in sores or lesions in the mouth. They can be extremely painful, as sores in your mouth are very sensitive and subject to being reopened. You may also experience swelling of the sores. Treating mouth burns starts with things you probably have in your freezer and other home remedies.

Cold Relief

• One of the first things that you can do when you've received a mouth burn is to immediately put something cold on it. The cold will reduce the swelling, along with soothing the pain. Try chewing ice chips from a cup, or eating cold foods like ice pops or ice cream. Hold the cold food in your mouth up against the mouth burn until it melts before you take another bite. Keep a glass of ice water nearby so that you can take a swig if you start feeling pain. Avoid eating hot and spicy foods that can aggravate the condition and just stick with cold foods until the burn heals.

Topical Ointment

• If your burn is severe and eating cold foods doesn't seem to help, you could try an over-the-counter topical ointment with benzocain as one of the ingredients. You can rub the ointment on the sore to effectively numb it. While this treatment doesn't last long (up to one hour) it can help you find relief. Make sure that the ointment is approved for use within the mouth before you use it. Brands like Ambesol or Zilactin are safe for the mouth and very effective for pain relief.

Medicinal Treatment

• Tylenol, Advil, Motrin or Excedrin, along with other ibuprofen or acetaminophen-based medicines, can help you find relief from your pain. Remember to always follow the instructions and never take more medicine than is necessary. If you experience a mouth burn that lasts longer than two weeks, or is persistently painful, consult a medical professional.