16 Easy Ways to Heal Cuts on the Tongue Using Simple Remedies

Although not a serious condition, a cut on the tongue can turn out to be quite a painful affair. While the cuts on tongue may heal on its own in a few days’ time, you will be left with a stifling pain to battle till then.

So how do you go about keeping this pain under control until your tongue heals from the cut? Here are some simple home remedies that may come to your rescue if you wondering how to heal a cut tongue fast.

However, before we actually head over to them, take a minute to check out the various reasons as to why you may suffer from cuts on tongue as well as the symptoms related to the same.

Common Causes for Cuts on Tongue

A cut on the tongue may occur anywhere on its surface, side or underside. Some of the more common reasons for these cuts include:

• Biting the tongue accidentally while eating or chewing
• Eating foods that contain sharp points like fish and chips
• Eating hot and spicy foods that may cause blisters which eventually form cuts in the tongue
• Allergic reactions to specific foods
• A Vitamin B and C deficiency
• An injury to the face that may affect the tongue as well
• Ulcers in the tongue that can cause abrasions leading to cuts. The ulcers may be accompanied by bumps in the area as well.
• Tongue fissures wherein the tongue develops deep grooves and cuts with age
• Low immunity leading to delay in healing tongue fissures caused by conditions like asthma, eczema or even allergic reactions
• Hormonal surges experienced by women during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, etc.
• And finally, too much stress

Common Symptoms of a Cuts on the Tongue

You can know for certain that you have a cut in the tongue if you encounter the following symptoms.

• A visual sign of a fissure, wound or cut on the tongue
• Inflammation at the injured site
• Reddening of the injured site
• Moderate to immense pain and discomfort in the injured site
• A burning sensation at the site of the cut
• And, increased sensitivity to hot, spicy foods

Home Remedies to Treat Cuts on the Tongue Easily

Here are some of the most common remedies often suggested for the treatment of 
cuts on tongue. Take your pick from the list below.

1. Ice Cubes

This is probably the first thing you will think of when dealing with a cut on the tongue. The chillness of the ice cubes will numb the injured tongue, making it pain lesser while also stopping bleeding if any.

What you need:

• Ice Cubes – 2 to 3

What you need to do:

• Rinse your mouth with cool water.
• Pop some ice cubes in your mouth and suck on them. Position the ice cubes directly over the cut and keep them there as long as possible before swishing them around in your mouth.
• Keep sucking on the ice cubes at regular intervals throughout the day to get relief from the cut on the tongue.

[Also Read: Home Treatment for Burns on the Roof of Your Mouth]

2. Salt

Salt helps reduce the pain and inflammation caused by the cut. It also helps prevent infection from setting in at the site of the wound. Here are two ways you can use salt to cure a tongue cut.

Method I: Salt Water Gargle

This is by far the easiest method to treat cuts on tongue.

What you need:

• Salt – A pinch
• Warm Water – 1 glass

What you need to do:

• Mix the salt in the warm water and stir until it dissolves nicely.
• Gargle your mouth nicely with this salt water solution, ensuring you concentrate near the wounded area.
• Do this thrice a day until the cuts on tongue heals naturally.

Method II: Salt Paste

Another effective way to use salt to treat tongue cuts is to make it into a paste.

What you need:

• Salt – A pinch
• Warm Water – 2 o 3 drops

What you need to do:

• Mix the salt and water to form a paste.
• Apply this paste on the cut. You may experience a slight burning sensation at first. It will reduce after a few seconds.
• Wash off the salt paste after about an hour. Keep reapplying it at regular intervals to quicken the healing process.

3. Baking Soda

Baking soda comes with strong antibacterial properties, it is a great natural remedy for a tongue cut.

If you happen to have some baking soda at home, here are some ways you can use it to cure the cuts on tongue.

Method I: Baking Soda Rinse

Like salt, you can use baking soda as a rinse to wash the cut tongue every morning and night.

What you need:

• Baking Soda – 1 tsp.
• Warm Water – 1 glass

What you need to do:

• Dissolve the baking soda in the water completely.
• Rinse your mouth with this baking soda solution every morning and night for quick tongue heal results.

Method II: Baking Soda Paste

Don’t fancy the taste of salt on the tongue? Try some baking soda instead.

What you need:

• Baking Soda – 1 tsp.
• Warm Water – 2 to 3 drops

What you need to do:

• Mix the baking soda with the water to form a thick paste.
• Apply this paste on the cut using a cotton swab. Wait for 30 minutes and wash off the paste with lukewarm water.
• Do this thrice a day to cure the cuts on the tongue naturally.

[Also Read: How to Clear Blackheads with Facemask]

4. Turmeric

Turmeric is one spice that is a mainstay in the kitchen of every household out there. It can also come to your rescue when dealing with very painful cuts on the tongue.

Here’s a rather simple home remedy using this amazing antibacterial agent that also prevents the cut from becoming infectious.

What you need:

• Turmeric Powder – A pinch
• Honey – 1 tsp.

What you need to do:

• Add the honey and turmeric powder to form a paste.
• Apply this paste evenly on the cut until the mixture covers it completely.
• Keep this paste on the cut for as long as possible and keep reapplying it at regular intervals to make the cuts on tongue heal faster.

5. Honey

In addition to keeping the injured tongue free of infections, honey creates a protective barrier around the cut, thus helping it heal faster and in a less painful manner.

What you need:

• Honey – 1 tsp.

What you need to do:

• Dab some honey on the cut tongue and wait for an hour or so before washing it away.
• Alternatively, you can choose to swallow the honey directly after meals to quicken the healing process.

6. Butter

Trust some butter to come to your rescue when you accidentally bite your tongue. Butter helps reduce the pain and inflammation caused by a bite to the tongue.

It is also a great remedy to use if you have a cut under tongue and do not like the taste of the other remedies mentioned in this list.

What you need:

• Butter – 1 tbsp.

What you need to do:

• Place a fair dollop of butter right above the cut on the tongue.
• As the butter melts, slowly rub it along the length of the bite. Coat the entire tongue with the butter in the process and wait for it to melt completely.
• Repeat this remedy twice a day to recover fully from a cuts on tongue.

7. Neem Powder

Also called as Indian lilac, neem is said to contain powerful antiseptic properties that can effectively treat tongue cuts.

Here is a way you can use neem to treat a cut tongue fast, quickly and effectively.

What you need:

• Neem Powder – 1 tsp.
• Water – 2 to 3 drops

What you need to do:

• Mix the neem powder and water to form a paste.
• Apply this paste evenly over the cut on the tongue. Wait for an hour or so before washing off the paste with cool water.
• Repeat this remedy twice a day for a couple of days until the cuts on tongue heals completely.

8. Aloe Vera

Wondering how to heal a cut on the tongue fast? Consider Aloe Vera as the best solution for your problem. Aloe Vera juice has potent antiseptic properties to help treat cuts, wounds and other injuries.

Check out two ways in which you can use Aloe Vera to treat that irritable cuts on your tongue.

Method I: Aloe Vera Paste

This is as simple as it gets for treating cuts on the tongue. All you need is some natural Aloe Vera paste for the same too.

What you need:

• Aloe Vera Gel (preferably taken from the Aloe Vera plant) – 1 tsp.
• Olive Oil – 2 to 3 drops
• Lemon Balm Extract – 2 drops

What you need to do:

• Mix the Aloe Vera gel with the olive oil and lemon balm extract to create a thick gel.
• Apply this gel directly on the cut and let it sit there for a couple of hours.
• Keep reapplying the gel at regular intervals (maybe thrice or four times a day) to heal the cuts on tongue as quickly as possible.

Method II: Aloe Vera Juice

In addition to using it externally on the cut tongue, you can use Aloe Vera in the form of a juice to aid the healing process from within your body.

What you need:

• Aloe Vera Gel – 2 tsp.
• Warm Water – 1 glass

What you need to do:

• Mix the Aloe Vera gel in the water and stir nicely.
• Drink this concoction every morning and night in order to achieve quick and desirable results.
• Alternatively, you can also rinse your mouth with this concoction before going to sleep every night. Follow it up with some Aloe Vera gel applied on the cuts on tongue. This will help it heal faster.

9. Listerine Mouthwash

It has more use for your mouth than simply giving it a fresher breath. Listerine mouthwash contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties that not only help the cut on the tongue heal faster, but also prevents infections from setting in and worsening the wound.

What you need:

• Listerine Mouth Wash – 1 cup

What you need to do:

• Use the mouthwash to gargle your mouth, concentrating more on the site of the wound.
• Swish the mouthwash around in your mouth for about 30 seconds and then spit it out.
• Do this twice a day as well as after meals. This will help reduce the pain and inflammation caused by the cut while preventing debris and food particles from aggravating the wound.

10. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an effervescent cleaning agent that helps remove dead tissues from in and around the cut up tongue. It also contains antiseptic properties that help the wound heal faster.

Method I: Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse

Rinsing your mouth with diluted hydrogen peroxide solution is a great way to treat cuts on tongue. Just make sure you don’t swallow the solution in the process.

What you need:

• Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) – 1 tbsp.
• Water – 1 tbsp.

What you need to do:

• Mix the water and hydrogen peroxide nicely.
• Pour the mixture into your mouth and swish it around nicely for about 30 seconds. Spit out the solution afterwards.
• Use this rinse at least thrice a day for a few days to cleanse your mouth as well as heal the cut tongue.

[Also Read: Home Remedies for Stinging Nettle Rash Treatment]

Method II: Hydrogen Peroxide Paste

If the rinse doesn’t seem to work, consider applying some hydrogen peroxide paste on the wound instead.

What you need:

• Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) – 1 tsp.
• Water – 1 tsp.

What you need to do:

• Simply mix the hydrogen peroxide and water to form a mixture.
• Dab a small amount of this mixture directly on the cut for about 30 minutes.
• Wash off with lukewarm water afterwards. Repeat twice every day for quick and effective results.

11. Apple Cider Vinegar

Like hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar is a well-known home cure for many illnesses, infections and injuries.

It can also help you treat a cut tongue easily. Here’s what you need to do if you have some apple cider vinegar in your home.

What you need:

• Apple Cider Vinegar (Food Grade) -2 tsp.
• Water – 1 glass

What you need to do:

• Mix the apple cider vinegar in the water nicely.
• Use this solution to rinse your mouth nicely. Swish the solution around the wounded area for about 5 minutes before spitting it out.
• Repeat this remedy twice or thrice every day until the tongue heals properly.

12. Alum to Cure Cuts on Tongue

Wondering how to treat that cut on tongue in a painless manner? Try some alum powder. The powerful antiseptic and astringent properties of alum can help cure the cuts on tongue quickly while preventing infections from worsening the condition.

What you need:

• Alum Powder – 1 tsp.

What you need to do:

• Wet the wounded area lightly with water.
• Apply some alum powder on the cut. Let it sit on the wound for a minute or so.
• Spit out the alum powder along with the saliva and rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
• Do this twice a day to get relief from the pain and inflammation caused by a cut on the tongue.

Note: Ensure to not swallow the alum powder.

13. Cayenne Pepper

Many people will recommend you stay away from spicy foods when having to deal with a cut up tongue.

However, you can make use of some cayenne pepper to treat the cut while reducing the pain and inflammation it causes.

While you can get cayenne pepper candies at the store, here is a natural home remedy using the same for a better and faster cure.

[Also Read: Home Remedies for White Tongue]

What you need:

• Cayenne Pepper – A pinch
• Water – 2 to 3 drops

What you need to do:

• Mix the water and cayenne pepper to form a thick paste.
• Dab a small amount of this paste directly on the cut. It may cause some irritation and pain at first.
• Wait for the paste to dry a bit and then spit it out. Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
• Follow this remedy thrice a day for 2 days or so until the pain and inflammation reduce.

14. Licorice

Licorice is known to contain healing properties that can help treat and cure a cut tongue quickly. You can easily choose to chew on some licorice tablets to reduce the pain and inflammation.

Here are some other ways you can use licorice to treat a cut tongue.

Method I: Licorice Mouth Rinse

The anti-inflammatory properties of licorice ensure that no bacteria or fungus gets near the cut until it heals properly.

What you need:

• Licorice Root – 1 tbsp.
• Water – 2 cups

What you need to do:

• Soak the licorice root in the water for about 3 hours or so.
• Remove the root and use the solution as a rinse to clean the cut and disinfect it.
• Do this thrice a day to get relief from a cut, sore tongue.

Method II: Licorice Paste

When compared to a rinse, licorice paste is even more effective in treating a cut tongue.

What you need:

• Licorice Root Powder – 1 tsp.
• Water – 2 to 3 drops

What you need to do:

• Mix the licorice root powder and water to form a paste.
• Rub a little bit of this paste onto the cut as well as the area around it.
• Wait for 30 minutes or so before spitting out the paste and rinsing your mouth with lukewarm water.
• Follow this remedy twice a day to see desirable results within a few days.

Note: If you suffer from hypertension, consider consulting a doctor before opting for these remedies.

15. Goldenseal Root

If you can get your hands on some goldenseal root (available in medical or herbal stores), consider using it to treat the cut tongue.

It is considered as one of the best home remedies for cuts and sores on the tongue as well as the fastest way to heal a cuts on tongue.

What you need:

• Goldenseal Root – 2 to 3 pieces
• Water – 1 glass

What you need to do:

• Soak the goldenseal root in the water and bring the mix to a boil.
• Allow it to simmer on low flame for a couple of minutes. Wait for it to cook down and then strain the solution to remove the root.
• Use this concoction to rinse your mouth at least twice a day to heal a cut, sore of infected tongue quickly.

[Also Read: How to Heal a Lip Infection Naturally at Home]

16. Sage

Sage is another excellent home remedy for tongue bites, cuts and fissures. It contains calming properties that help soothe the injured site, thus reducing the pain that accompanies the wound.

Method I: Sage Rinse

Rinsing your mouth with a specially decocted sage rinse a couple of times a day can help you heal a cuts on tongue naturally and quickly.

What you need:

• Sage Leaves – A handful
• Water – 2 to 3 cups
• Tincture of Myrrh – 2 to 3 drops

What you need to do:

• Boil the sage leaves in the water for about 5 minutes. Simmer on low flame for an additional 10 minutes.
• Strain the mixture and allow it cool down. Add the tincture of myrrh to it and stir nicely.
• Rinse your mouth with this concoction twice a day until the pain and inflammation reduce.

Method II: Sage Leaf Powder

Applying a paste made of sage leaves is also considered effective in treating cuts on tongue and sores.

What you need:

• Sage Leaf Powder – 1 tsp.
• Water – 3 to 4 drops

What you need to do:

• Mix the water and sage leaf powder to form a paste.
• Rub this paste evenly on the cut or sore and wait for 15 minutes.
• Spit out the paste and rinse your mouth nicely. Keep reapplying this paste on the cut for at least 4 times every day until the cuts on tongue heals properly.

[Also Read: 7 Effective Home Remedies for Lie Bumps on Tongue]

Additional Tips to take note of when dealing with Tongue Cuts

Here are some more tips you need to take note of when dealing with cuts, fissures or sores on your tongue.

Apply pressure to reduce bleeding: If you notice the cut bleeding, apply pressure on it immediately. You can do this by either pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth or against the cheek depending on where the cut is located.

Controlling the bleeding is important as you can opt to try out the home remedies only after the blood stops flowing.

Avoid Hot, Spicy, Sharp Edged Foods: Until your tongue heals properly, stay away from hot, spicy and sharp edged foods. You don’t want the pain and inflammation to worsen by eating such foods.

Eat Cold, Frozen Foods and Drink Chilled Beverages: It pays to eat soft foods that are either cold or frozen as they tend to bring down the pain and inflammation caused by a tongue cut. Drinking chilled beverages also help offer relief from the symptoms of a tongue cut.

[Also Read: Home Remedies for Peeling Skin on Hands]

Stay away from Allergens: Allergic reactions causing those cuts in your tongue? Stay away from any food you are allergic to, no matter how much you like it.

These may also include your daily cup of coffee or your favorite chocolate.

Stock up on Vitamin B and C foods: If your tongue cuts are due to a vitamin deficiency, you may need to increase your intake of vitamins to stop these cuts from occurring. Eat more foods rich in Vitamins B and C for the same purpose.

Practice Proper Oral Hygiene: In addition to brushing your teeth, make it a point to brush your tongue regularly. This helps prevent the accumulation of food and debris on the tongue which may cause cuts and sores. Rinse your mouth with a good quality mouthwash to reduce the chances of infection as well.

Stay away from Cigarettes and Alcohol: At least until the cut on the tongue heals properly. These allergens are said to aggravate the wound and worsen it in addition to causing infections.

Drink Loads of Water: Water keeps the mouth moisturized, thus preventing the tongue from drying up and becoming sore. Make sure you keep on drinking water at regular intervals when dealing with cuts and sores on the tongue.

Use a Mouth Gel: An OTC mouth gel like Orajel or Orabase can be used to heal the cut on the tongue. Rinse the wound properly at first and dab some mouth gel on the cut. Keep reapplying the gel regularly to keep the cut covered and infection free until it heals.

Check with a Doctor: These home remedies may be all that are necessary to clean, treat and cure cuts on tongue. However, if you notice the pain and inflammation persisting even after a few days and if the wound appears too deep, consider checking with a doctor for possible sutures.

[Also Read: 14 Easy and Effective Ways to Get Rid of a White Tongue]

Summary

A cut on the tongue is something that usually heals on its own within a week or two. Although there is nothing to worry about, you will need to be a tad bit careful when treating a cut tongue with home remedies and medications. Hopefully, these tips and remedies will help you handle the cut as easily and painlessly as possible.

Watch Easy Ways to Heal Cuts on the Tongue Using Simple Remedies