Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Blisters On The Tongue + Causes And Prevention Tips

Tongue blisters are one of the most common oral problems that most people experience at some point in their life. Although the soreness associated with tongue blisters goes away on its own in 7-10 days, the blisters can be extremely painful.

These blisters, though harmless, can be irritating and may even alter your sense of taste. To get rid of the pain naturally, you can use some basic home remedies that can help in healing these blisters. In this article, you will find everything you need to know about tongue blisters – their causes, symptoms, and a few natural remedies that can help in their treatment.

1. Salt

Salt, also known as sodium chloride (NaCl), can help reduce the inflammation and pain caused by the blisters. Additionally, its antibacterial nature fights any underlying infection that might be causing those blisters on your tongue

You Will Need

1 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of water

What You Have To Do

Add a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and mix well.
Rinse your mouth with this solution.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this several times a day.

2. Yogurt

Yogurt is a natural probiotic and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties (3), (4), (5). These properties can reduce the pain and inflammation and treat any infection associated with the blisters.

You Will Need

1 cup of plain yogurt

What You Have To Do

Consume a cup of yogurt.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this at least once daily.

3. Essential Oils

a. Clove Oil

Clove oil is a natural anesthetic that contains a compound called eugenol. Eugenol is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties (6), (7), (8), (9), (10). Hence, it may help in treating tongue blisters.

You Will Need

3-4 drops of clove oil
1 cup of warm water

What You Have To Do

Add a few drops of clove oil to a cup of warm water.
Use this solution to rinse your mouth.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 3-4 times daily.

b. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil contains a compound called terpinen-4-ol, which was found to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties against oral candidiasis. It also exhibits antibacterial and antiseptic properties (11), (12), (13). This can help you deal with tongue blisters and their symptoms.

You Will Need

3-4 drops of tea tree oil
1 cup of warm water

What You Have To Do

Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a cup of water.
Use this solution as a mouthwash.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 3-4 times daily, preferably after every meal.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (14), (15). Its alkaline nature helps restore the pH balance in your mouth and helps you get rid of the blisters on your tongue.

You Will Need

1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 cup of warm water

What You Have To Do

Add baking soda to a cup of water.
Rinse your mouth with this solution.
Alternatively, you can also mix baking soda and water to make a paste and apply it on the blisters.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 3-4 times daily.

5. Ice

Ice possesses anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties (16). It can help soothe the inflamed and painful tongue blisters.

You Will Need

1-2 ice cubes or cold water

What You Have To Do
1. Place an ice cube directly on the blisters until they become numb.
2. Alternatively, you can sip on cold water from time to time.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this multiple times daily.

6. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a proven remedy against canker sores (aphthous stomatitis), which are often the underlying cause of tongue blisters (17), (18). In addition, it also possesses disinfectant and antibacterial properties that can help treat the condition (19), (20).

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide
1 tablespoon of warm water
Cotton balls

What You Have To Do

Mix equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and warm water.
Apply this solution to the tongue blisters with a clean cotton ball.
Leave it on for 2 to 3 minutes and then rinse your mouth with some warm water.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this about 3 times daily.

Caution: Hydrogen peroxide is quite toxic and must not be ingested. It should only be used topically in moderate amounts.

7. Basil

Basil, scientifically known as Ocimum basilicum, is quite popular for its medicinal uses. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties (21), (22), (23). This makes it one of the best natural treatments for tongue blisters.

You Will Need

A few basil leaves

What You Have To Do

Chew on a few basil leaves.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this at least 3 times daily.

8. Coriander

Coriander exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiseptic properties (24), (25). Hence, it can help in getting rid of tongue blisters and relieving the pain and inflammation that accompany them.

You Will Need

1 teaspoon of coriander leaves or seeds
1 cup of water

What You Have To Do

Add coriander seeds or leaves to a cup of water and bring it to boil in a saucepan.
Strain this solution and let it cool.
Rinse your mouth with it.

How Often You Should Do This

Rinse your mouth with this solution 3 to 4 times daily.

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9. Vitamin B

Tongue blisters can also develop due to vitamin B deficiency. Hence, it is recommended to consume foods that are rich in vitamin B, such as eggs, whole grains, salmons, oats, milk, cheese, etc. Vitamin B is also determined to be one of the main causes of glossitis, which is the inflammation of the tongue (26), (27). Hence, restoring this deficiency should be helpful in treating tongue blisters and any inflammation. However, if you want to take additional vitamin B supplements, talk to a physician.

10. Ginger And Garlic

Ginger and garlic are well known for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties (28), (29), (30), (31). These can be used to deal with the painful tongue blisters and fight any underlying infection causing them.

You Will Need

2-3 garlic cloves
1 inch of ginger
What You Have To Do
1. Chew on garlic cloves and ginger multiple times every day.
2. Alternatively, you can increase their intake by adding them to the foods you consume.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 3 times daily.

11. Turmeric

Turmeric is rich in a compound called curcumin that has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties (32). These properties of turmeric can help to get rid of those stubborn blisters on your tongue.

You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1 glass of hot milk
What You Have To Do
1. Mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of hot milk and consume it.
2. Alternatively, you can also apply a paste made of turmeric and honey to the tongue blisters and wash it off after 10 to 15 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily.

12. Aloe Vera

With its natural healing and antiseptic properties, aloe vera gel can provide quick relief from the inflammation and pain caused by the lesions (33), (34), (35).

You Will Need

Aloe vera gel

What You Have To Do
1. Extract some gel from an aloe vera leaf and apply it to the tongue blisters.
2. Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing your mouth with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 3-4 times daily until you notice positive results.

13. Milk

Milk contains many bioactive compounds that are proven to be beneficial to oral health (36). In addition to this, milk also possesses anti-inflammatory and soothing properties (37). These can help heal tongue blisters quickly.

You Will Need

1 glass of milk

What You Have To Do

Consume a glass of milk.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times daily.

14. Sage

Sage is another natural remedy for tongue blisters. It has calming, antibacterial, and astringent properties (38), (39), (40). They reduce the inflammation and pain and dry up the blisters at a faster rate.

You Will Need

A handful of fresh sage leaves or 2 teaspoons of dry sage leaves
1 cup of water

What You Have To Do

Add sage leaves to a cup of water and bring it to a boil in a saucepan.
Strain this water and use it to rinse your mouth.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 3-4 times daily.

15. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has analgesic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties (41), (42). These properties can quickly heal the blisters on your tongue.

You Will Need

1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil
Cotton ball

What You Have To Do

Dip a cotton ball in coconut oil and apply it directly to the blisters on your tongue.
Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes and then rinse your mouth with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 3-4 times daily.

16. Honey

Honey has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antibacterial properties (43), (44), (45). It can prove to be extremely beneficial in treating tongue blisters and promoting overall oral health.

You Will Need

1 teaspoon of honey
Cotton balls

What You Have To Do

Wet a cotton ball with drinking water slightly.
Dip it in honey and apply it to the blisters on your tongue.
Leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes and then rinse your mouth thoroughly.
You can also add a pinch of turmeric to the honey.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this at least 3 times daily.

You can use any of these remedies to combat tongue blisters. Additionally, taking some basic precautions can also help prevent the recurrence of this ailment.

Tips To Prevent Tongue Blisters

Avoid consuming acidic vegetables and citrus fruits.
Stay away from anything too spicy until the blisters go away.
Do not chew gum.
Maintain oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily.
Quit smoking.
Avoid caffeinated drinks.
Do not scratch the blisters with your tongue.
Avoid using toothpastes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water every day.
Use OTC oral anti-analgesic medications under your doctor’s supervision.

These remedies and preventive tips may help you get rid of tongue blisters. But if your blisters are stubborn and do not go away in spite of using these remedies, there is a possibility that they are a result of some other underlying medical condition. In such situations, you must seek medical help immediately to identify the cause. However, if the blisters are just a result of a minor burn or bite, use these remedies for quick relief.