Transient lingual papillitis (TLP) is a condition that causes swelling and inflammation of the tongue. It’s usually triggered by a viral or bacterial infection, but it can also be caused by irritants such as toothpaste and mouthwashes that contain alcohol or other chemicals.
TLP usually goes away on its own within one to two weeks. You can manage most cases with warm salt water rinses and over-the-counter pain medications. Your dental expert might suggest effective neighborhood sedatives or effective corticosteroids assuming your TLP is extremely difficult. Most frequently, however, the condition settles on its own in only a couple of days and doesn’t return.