Burning lips and sore tongue

The tongue and lips may hurt when the mucosa is inflamed or dry, when an irritant contacts them, or when altered nerve signalling produces burning without an obvious ulcer. The examination must check colour, texture, saliva flow, dentures, oral hygiene, and systemic symptoms.

Avoid tobacco, alcohol-based rinses, very spicy foods, and products that sting. Drink water, use a bland toothpaste if products irritate you, and record foods, medicines, stress, and timing so the clinician can identify patterns.

Book an examination when symptoms persist, recur, or come with ulcers, white or red patches, swelling, numbness, difficulty swallowing, or weight loss. Urgent care is needed for sudden facial swelling or breathing difficulty.

Ask whether the mucosa shows infection, allergy, deficiency, dryness, or another cause, and whether medication review or blood tests are appropriate.