The first few seconds after a fiery bite can be revealing. A sharp sting on the tongue or roof of the mouth often means a mild burn has already set in.
At State Urgent Care in Starkville, we sometimes see patients after a hasty sip of coffee or a fresh slice of pizza leaves the inside of their mouth tender and sore. Knowing what to do right away can limit the damage and help you find mouth burn relief and heal faster.
What happens when you burn your mouth
A mouth burn works similarly to a skin burn, but the tissue inside your mouth is thinner and more sensitive. Boiling food or drinks can injure the top layer of cells on your tongue, lips or the roof of your mouth in a matter of seconds.
After that first burn, you may notice redness, a rough texture or small blisters along the roof of your mouth. Over the next day, the area can feel tender or slightly swollen. And in more serious cases, the burn can make it difficult to eat and drink without pain.
First steps at home after a mouth burn
What you do in the first few minutes after burning your mouth can affect how much damage occurs. According to the Mayo Clinic, you can start by removing the hot food or drink right away and rinsing gently with cool water or milk. This helps bring the temperature down and can ease the initial sting.
Suck on small pieces of ice or a popsicle to keep the area cool, but avoid pressing ice directly against one spot for too long. Soft, cold foods like yogurt or applesauce can feel great on a sore mouth.
Try to avoid hot drinks, alcohol and tobacco while the area is healing. These can irritate the tissue and slow down your healing process. Over-the-counter pain relievers, when taken as directed, can take the edge off your discomfort while the burn improves.
When a mouth burn needs urgent care
Some mouth burns don’t require urgent care, but certain signs call for an in-person visit. Come to State Urgent Care if you notice any of these signs listed by the Cleveland Clinic:
- Large blisters or areas of white, gray or charred-looking tissue
- Swelling that makes it hard to swallow or speak
- Pain that worsens after the first day instead of improving
- Hoarseness in your voice
How State Urgent Care can help
When you visit State Urgent Care for a mouth burn, our team will inspect the area to see how deep the burn goes and whether an infection has developed. We’ll also ask when the injury happened, what caused it and what you have tried at home so far.
For mild-to-moderate burns, we may recommend prescription-strength mouth rinses, topical gels or pain relievers that coat the area and make eating and drinking more comfortable. If we see signs of infection, we can prescribe antibiotics and explain what to watch for as the burn heals.
Our providers also help you build a simple plan for the next few days. That may include specific foods to choose or avoid, how to clean your mouth safely and how often to check the area. Should there be a risk of further damage, we may advise you to see a specialist and help schedule your visit.
Tips to prevent future mouth burns
Preventing another burn starts with slowing down around hot foods and drinks. Give coffee, tea and soup a moment to cool off before taking that first sip. Stir microwaved items well — they often heat unevenly and come with very hot spots.
When you’re serving children, test the temperature of food yourself and avoid letting them drink before you’ve checked the cup yourself. At home, teach them to taste a small amount first instead of taking a full bite right away.
Waiting a bit before eating can save you from another burn in the future.
Get your burn taken care of in Starkville
If a mouth burn is disrupting your meals or making it hard to rest, we can help. State Urgent Care in Starkville is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, offering walk-in care and fast service when you need it most.
Call (662) 338-4826 or come see us today.