Natural Remedies for the Burning Tongue Syndrome

Burning tongue syndrome, which in medical terms is known as oral dysesthesia is a health condition that leads to burning sensations on the tongue, without any apparent medical reason. It’s a frustrating, unpleasant feeling, which doesn’t seem to go away. The causes of this medical condition are divided into secondary and primary. The main reason is linked to the sensory nerves.

Secondary causes consist of elemental medical conditions such as dry mouth, geographic tongue, oral thrush, nutritional insufficiencies, allergic reactions, poorly fitting dentures, improper dental hygiene, gastroesophageal reflux disease, endocrine disorders, and lastly, psychological factors including chronic stress, anxiety and depression.

Concurrently, women in their postmenopausal stage and diabetic individuals are at a higher risk of suffering from this condition.

Besides the scalded and burning sensation on the tongue, further symptoms include dry mouth, loss of taste, and abnormal redness on the tongue. If the condition is severe, one will encounter difficulties when eating and sleeping.

Generally speaking, if your condition is serious, it’s recommended to consult a specialist to determine the underlying cause of the problem. However, you can always try testing the effectiveness of natural remedies. They might be helpful in reducing the severity of the symptoms, and hinder complications.

• Baking soda

Baking soda is a powerful remedy for treating this affection. It neutralizes the mouth environment and balances the pH level. Concurrently, baking soda is helpful in fighting mouth infections, and preventing an excess of yeast growth. That contributes to diminishing the symptoms, and restricting other complications from emerging.

• Combine 1 or 2 teaspoons of baking soda in a glass of water, and gargle a few times a day.
• Alternatively, replace your regular toothpaste with baking soda. Still, you shouldn’t do this daily, as baking soda is rough, and might erode the tooth enamel, in the case of regular use.

• Cold water

The moment you experience burning sensations in the tongue, rush to the kitchen and drink some cold water. It’ll cause a numb effect on the tongue, which will alleviate the pain and burning. On top of that, cold water will soothe the unpleasantness of having a dry mouth.

• Vitamin B

It appears that vitamin B deficiency can harm the tissues of the tongue and mouth, causing the burning mouth syndrome. In line with a study in the Journal of Periodontology carried out in 2006, low vitamin B levels may cause the condition. By increasing your B vitamin intake, you may ease up the symptoms.

• Implement natural sources of vitamin B into your diet such as eggs, milk, salmon, avocados, bananas, cereals, liver, turkey and so on.
• You may also consider taking a vitamin B supplement.

• Honey

Honey is a marvelous remedy that will ease the burning sensation. Meanwhile, it also fights infection and pain.

• Place raw, organic honey on your tongue. Allow it to stay for a couple of minutes. Afterward, rinse it off with cold water.
• Alternatively, combine ½ teaspoon of turmeric with one tablespoon of honey until it forms a paste. Apply on the tongue, leave it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day.