I was told warm salt water rinse 4x per day. But, I also had 4 impacted wisdom teeth cut out the same time as my tongue biopsies (2 different areas). The stitches were in for a few days - Don't know about the pain - I was on percocept due to the wisdom teeth extraction. Try the salt water though - it really felt good in my mouth.

SCC Right Lateral Tongue T2N0M0 Dx 01/12/06, Surgery 01/25/06. Partial Glossectomy, Bilateral Neck Dissection - 22 lymph nodes - all clear. No radiation.