It happens quite often to accidentally bite the tongue, especially when chewing food, speaking or in other circumstances where this organ is involved. When wounds are small, they can heal the same day, but deeper ones may take up to a week. To speed up the healing process, you need to immediately assess the type of injury and apply a cold compress; afterward, do a series of daily rinses to reduce pain and prevent infection. If cuts are recurring due to bites, see your doctor or orthodontist.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: First Aid Measures
Step 1. Wash your hands
Before touching the inside of your mouth, take a few minutes to wash them with warm soapy water. If you don't have a sink available, use a hand sanitizer; the aim is to prevent the germs present on the hands from transferring to the open wound, with the risk of causing an infection.
If they come into contact with a bleeding wound, even resistant viruses can cause an infection
Step 2. Apply pressure
Probably, when you bite your tongue, it starts to bleed because it contains many blood vessels; By applying pressure, you can slow blood flow and allow a clot to form. It is important to act promptly after the trauma.
- If the tip of the tongue is injured, press it against the roof of the mouth and hold the pressure at five-second intervals; eventually, you can also press it against the inside of the cheek.
- If you can reach the bite area, place a piece of ice on top. If it does not cause too much pain, you can also hold it in place by pressing it with your tongue on the hard palate. move the cube back and forth until it melts. Alternatively, you can put a small piece of clean cloth or medical gauze over the area, pressing lightly.
Step 3. Examine the wound
Open your mouth wide and look inside and tongue with the help of a mirror. If the wound seems superficial and has stopped bleeding, you can continue with home treatments; if the bleeding continues or gets worse and the cut seems deep, contact your dentist to see if any stitches are needed.
If the wound is bleeding a lot, you may also need to go to the emergency room. in this case, call the emergency services or 911
Step 4. Check for other injuries
A bite to the tongue can often be caused by some sports accident or a fall. Pay attention to the rest of your mouth and check for any other damage, loose teeth, or bleeding gums from any fractured teeth. Move your jaw back and forth to see if there are other painful areas; if you have any of these problems, you should see your doctor or dentist.
Step 5. Apply a cold pack
Probably, the tongue begins to swell immediately after the injury, with the risk of biting it again. Put something cold on the wound, such as ice wrapped in a clean cloth. hold it in place for a minute until your tongue starts to go numb, after which you can take it off. Repeat if necessary; you can apply cold packs several times over the next two or three days.
If the affected person is a child, they probably prefer to eat a fruit popsicle to numb the area
Step 6. Take some pain relievers
Choose an anti-inflammatory that does not cause adverse effects, such as ibuprofen, and follow the directions on the leaflet as much as possible regarding the dosage. The drug helps reduce swelling, as well as relieve pain that can most likely arise within a short time of the accident.
Step 7. Rinse with a mouthwash
If you have this product on hand, use it to make quick rinses of the oral cavity, in order to clean the area and prevent possible infections; this is particularly important, especially if you have bitten yourself while eating. Spit out the mouthwash and, if you notice any blood, repeat the treatment one more time.
Method 2 of 4: Clean and Heal the Wound with Rinses
Step 1. Rinse with a saline solution
Take 250 ml of hot tap water, add 5 g of salt and mix with a spoon; move the mixture in your mouth for 15 to 20 seconds and then spit it out. You can repeat the procedure up to three times a day until the wound heals; it is a particularly effective remedy if performed immediately after meals.
Salt helps kill bacteria in the mouth, thus keeping the area clean and reducing the chances of infections; it also has healing properties and can help the wound heal faster
Step 2. Rinse with 3% hydrogen peroxide and water
Mix these two substances in equal parts in a glass and rinse the whole mouth for 15-20 seconds, then spit out the mixture; be careful not to ingest it. You can repeat the treatment up to four times a day.
- Hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide) is a powerful antiseptic that helps keep bacterial activity on the wound under control; it also acts as a cleaning agent, removing debris from the cut and supplying a constant amount of oxygen to the cells to help stop bleeding.
- It is also available as a gel and you can apply it directly to the cut using a clean cotton swab.
Step 3. Wash with antacids / antihistamines
Take one part diphenhydramine, such as Benadryl syrup, one part antacid, such as milk of magnesia, and mix them together. Move the solution around your mouth for a minute and spit it out at the end; you can repeat the treatment once or twice a day.
- The antacid controls the pH of the mouth and promotes healing, while the antihistamine is able to reduce inflammation; the combination of the two drugs creates what some people have called "miracle mouthwash".
- If you feel uncomfortable rinsing with this mixture, you can prepare a slightly thicker one and apply it as a paste.
Step 4. Use a traditional mouthwash
Benzydamine hydrochloride, 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate, or even a common mouthwash you find in supermarkets are all great alternatives. Follow the instructions regarding the dosage, rinse the mouth for 15-30 seconds and at the end spit out the product; repeat the procedure after meals. This remedy helps keep the wound clean of food residues, also promoting healing thanks to the lower risk of infections.
Method 3 of 4: Heal and Soothe the Pain
Step 1. Continue using ice or cold packs
Place a few cubes in a plastic bag and place them on your tongue until the pain has subsided. You can also wrap the bag in a small damp towel for extra comfort; eventually suck on a popsicle or drink a cold liquid for added relief, but avoid any acidic substances.
This way, you should also stop the bleeding should the wound reopen, as well as reduce pain during the healing process
Step 2. Apply aloe vera
You can buy it in gel form in pharmacies and parapharmacies; alternatively, you can cut a leaf directly from the plant and squeeze the gelatinous sap from it. Apply the gel to the wound up to a maximum of three times a day; for best results, you should put it on after a rinse and in the evening before bed.
- The use of aloe vera is a natural herbal remedy that has been shown to be effective in improving blood circulation, also fighting some types of harmful bacteria; just be careful not to swallow the gel.
- Alternatively, you can apply it on a sterile gauze to keep on the wound; this method provides a longer lasting soothing effect and prevents saliva from diluting the product.
Step 3. Apply oral gel
Purchase an antiseptic and anesthetic product at a pharmacy; if possible, take one in a tube to apply it more easily. Just squeeze a small amount onto a clean cotton swab and apply it to the injured area; repeat the treatment 2-4 times a day, until it heals.
Step 4. Try an oral adhesive paste
This product acts in a similar way to oral gels; take a dose the size of a pearl, put it on a cotton swab and apply it to the site of the cut; you can repeat up to four times a day, until the wound heals. If you wish, you can spread the dough with your finger.
Step 5. Use baking soda
Mix a teaspoon with water until it takes on a fluid consistency; wet a cotton swab in the mixture and apply it to the injured part of the tongue. Baking soda reduces acid production and bacterial colony; it also helps reduce swelling and pain due to inflammation.
Step 6. Eat some honey
Fill a teaspoon with honey and lick it or drop a few drops on the injured area; repeat twice a day. This product lines the surfaces of the oral cavity and prevents the accumulation of harmful bacteria. For best results, add some turmeric; it is an antibacterial product and, in combination with propolis, it helps to defeat pathogenic microorganisms, thus promoting healing.
Step 7. Apply milk of magnesia to the wound
Dip a cotton swab into the bottle of the product and apply it on the bite of the tongue; you can repeat the treatment three or four times a day, but it is more effective if you do it after rinsing the mouth. Milk of magnesia is an active antacid and can make the mouth environment more conducive to the development of "good" bacteria.
Method 4 of 4: Take Precautionary Measures
Step 1. Go to the dentist
You should see your dentist at least twice a year for routine treatment; if you need further treatment due to tongue bites, you need to make more frequent appointments. Some people are at greater risk of injuring their mouth, for example those who have sharp teeth or who have a lot of cavities that can cause fractures and leave sharp edges; in these cases, the dentist can recommend some solutions.
For example, if your teeth are not aligned correctly, you may often bite your tongue; in this circumstance, the dentist is able to offer you several preventive options
Step 2. Check how the denture fits
Make sure it sits snugly against your gums and doesn't move excessively; also check that it has no sharp edges. If you have numerous injuries in your mouth, you should visit your dentist to make sure the prosthesis fits properly.
Step 3. Make sure that the orthodontic appliance does not cause irritation
If you have to wear braces, you need to make sure that it fits properly in your mouth and doesn't move too much. Ask the dentist how much play you should expect from the device, so that you can make the right compensatory measures and avoid biting your tongue. as an extra precaution, place a ball of wax on each sharp stirrup that could prick your tongue.
Step 4. Put on the protective equipment
If you play a contact sport that puts your mouth at risk, you must wear a mouthguard and / or a helmet; these devices help stabilize the jaw in the event of an impact and reduce the chances of biting your tongue or subjecting it to other trauma.
Step 5. Safely manage seizures
If you suffer from this disorder, give precise instructions to the people close to you. Putting something in your mouth during a seizure can do more harm than good and could cause painful bites. instead make sure that the emergency services are called and that the people present make you lie down on your side until help arrives.
Advice
- If the pain does not subside and you do not notice any improvement after a week, if the wound smells bad or if you have a fever, you should see your doctor or dentist immediately.
- Maintain proper oral hygiene; continue brushing your teeth three times a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, being careful not to irritate the injured area.
Warnings
- Chew your food slowly, do not drink alcohol, and do not use tobacco products (such as cigarettes or paan leaves), as they irritate and can slow down the healing process.
- Do not eat foods that are too hot and / or spicy or acidic drinks, as they can irritate the injured area and cause discomfort.
