It's common to accidentally bite your tongue while chewing, talking, or even for no particular reason. Small wounds can heal the same day, but larger wounds can take up to a week. To speed up the healing process, you should quickly assess the wound and apply ice. Then, continue with daily mouthwashes to reduce pain and prevent infection. Consult your doctor or orthodontist if you bite your tongue too often.
Things to know
- If it bleeds, apply pressure to the tongue. If it is swollen, apply an ice cube.
- To prevent infection and promote healing, rinse your mouth with salt water.
- To manage pain, apply anesthetic gel and take over-the-counter pain relievers.
Apply first aid
Wash your hands . Before touching the inside of your mouth, take a minute to wash your hands with warm water and soap. If you don't have any, use hand sanitizer. The goal is to prevent germs on your hands from coming into contact with the sore on your tongue, which could cause an infection.
Apply pressure. Your tongue will likely start bleeding as soon as you bite it, as it contains many blood vessels. Applying pressure to the area will slow blood flow and allow a clot to form. It is important that you take action immediately after injuring yourself .
- If you can't reach the wound, find a piece of ice and place it in contact with the injury. You can even hold it in place against the roof of your mouth by pressing it with your tongue if it's not too painful. Place the injury on the ice and remove it until it melts. You can also place a clean cloth or gauze over the area, applying a little pressure
Examine the wound. Open your mouth wide and use a mirror to examine your tongue. If the bleeding has stopped and the wound looks superficial, you can continue treatment at home. If the bleeding continues or the wound looks deep, call your dentist to see if stitches are needed.
- If the bleeding is significant, you should probably go to the emergency room immediately.
Check for other injuries. You may sometimes bite your tongue while playing sports or falling. Feel the rest of your mouth to check if you have a broken tooth or bleeding gums caused by a broken tooth. Move your jaw up and down to observe any pain. If you notice anything unusual, visit your doctor or dentist
Apply an ice pack. Your tongue will start to swell right after the injury. This could lead you to bite it again. Place something cold on it, such as an ice cube wrapped in a clean cloth. Hold it in place for a minute until your tongue feels numb, then remove it. Repeat this several times a day for the next few days. t's a child who has injured themselves, you could also try using an ice pack to numb the area
Take a pain reliever. Choose an anti-inflammatory medication that you tolerate well, such as ibuprofen, and take the recommended dose as soon as possible. This will help reduce inflammation. It may also help with the onset of pain that will likely occur shortly after you bite yourself
Rinse your mouth with mouthwash . If you have mouthwash on hand, use it to quickly rinse your mouth. This will help clean the area and prevent infection. This is especially important if you were eating when you bit your mouth. Spit it out and try again if you see blood..
- If you have a sore on your tongue , mouthwash can help. You can get a sore on your tongue after an injury, but it will usually go away naturally after about a week or with treatment
Clean the wound with mouthwash
Prepare a saline solution . Take 250 ml of warm tap water. Add 5 g of salt and stir with a spoon. Rinse your mouth with the mixture for fifteen to twenty seconds before spitting it out. You can repeat this up to three times a day until healing. It is most effective after meals
- Salt helps kill bacteria in the mouth. This makes the area cleaner and reduces the risk of infection. It also has healing properties that may help the wound heal faster.
Use a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide . Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a glass. Swish it around your mouth for fifteen to twenty seconds, then spit it out. Be careful not to swallow. You can repeat this up to four times a day
- Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful antiseptic that helps control the growth of bacteria in the wound. It also helps cleanse the wound of debris that may be trapped and provides a steady supply of oxygen to the cells, which helps stop the bleeding.
- It can also be sold in gel form that you apply directly to the wound with a cotton swab.
Use hydrogen peroxide and water. In a glass, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide (3%) and water. Swish this mixture around your mouth for 15 to 20 seconds, then spit it out. Be careful not to swallow it! Repeat up to 4 times a day.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful antiseptic that can help control bacterial activity in your wound. It also acts as a cleansing agent by removing debris from the cut and providing a steady supply of oxygen to the cells, which also helps stop bleeding.
- However, hydrogen peroxide has been shown to cause irritation, especially with long-term use. Always use a low concentration and swish it around your mouth for a few seconds at a time.
- Hydrogen peroxide can also help whiten teeth. However, it may cause some tooth sensitivity.
Use a traditional mouthwash. Benzydamine hydrochloride, 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate, or regular mouthwash may be good options. Take the suggested amount and swish it around your mouth for fifteen to thirty seconds. Spit out the liquid. Repeat after every meal. This will help remove food debris, which encourages healing by preventing infections .
- Traditional mouthwash is a great way to help heal sores and bumps on the tongue that result from an injury.
Treat and soothe pain
Continue using a cold compress . Place a few ice cubes in a plastic bag and place it on your tongue until the pain subsides. You can also wrap it in a damp towel to make it feel softer. Suck on a popsicle or drink cold liquids for relief, but avoid anything acidic.
- This helps stop bleeding if the wound opens and reduces pain during healing.
- Be patient; it may take a few days or even weeks for your tongue to heal, depending on how badly you bit it. During this time, avoid crunchy, spicy, hot, or cold foods that could irritate your tongue.
Apply aloe vera . You can buy aloe vera gel at a pharmacy. You can also cut a leaf and extract the gel inside. Apply this substance to the injury up to three times a day. For best results, apply it after rinsing your mouth and before going to bed at night .
- Aloe vera is a herbal remedy that helps improve blood circulation. It also fights some harmful bacteria. You just need to be careful not to swallow the gel directly .
- You can also apply it to a piece of sterile gauze and keep it in contact with the wound. This will give you a longer-lasting effect by preventing your saliva from diluting the gel.
Apply a special gel. You can buy an anesthetic and antiseptic gel at the pharmacy. It comes in small tubes for easy application. Simply put a small amount on a clean cotton swab and apply to the wound. Repeat two to four times a day until the wound heals.
- Alternatively, you can use an oral adhesive paste.
Use baking soda. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a little water to make a smooth paste. Dip a cotton swab in it and apply it to the wound. Baking soda helps reduce acid production and bacterial growth. It also helps reduce inflammation and associated pain
Eat honey . Fill a teaspoon with honey and lick it or drip it onto the wound. Repeat twice a day. The honey will coat the mouth and prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria. For best results, add a pinch of turmeric . It has antibacterial properties and helps fight bacteria, which when combined with bee propolis encourages healing
Take precautionary measures
Consult your dentist. You should visit your dentist at least twice a year for a routine checkup. If you need additional care after biting yourself, you will need to schedule more frequent appointments. Some people are at higher risk of mouth injuries, such as those with sharp teeth or those who have had many cavities that have caused breaks and left sharp corners, so your dentist may be able to offer you solutions..
- For example, if your teeth are misaligned, you may find yourself biting your tongue frequently. Your dentist or orthodontist can suggest solutions to address this.
Check your dentures. Make sure your dentures fit snugly against your gums and don't move around too much. They also shouldn't have any sharp edges. See a dentist to make sure the dentures fit properly if you bite your tongue often
Avoid irritation from braces. If you wear braces, you need to make sure they don't move around too much in your mouth. Ask your orthodontist how much movement to expect. This will help you make corrections and prevent you from biting your tongue. You may also want to put a little dental wax on any sharp corners that hurt your tongue.
Wear a protective device. If you play a sport where you risk being hit in the mouth, wear a mouthguard and a helmet. They help stabilize your jaw in the event of an impact and reduce the possibility of biting or other injuries
Manage epilepsy safely. If you have epilepsy , you should give safety instructions to those around you. For example, if they put an object in your mouth during a seizure, it could do more harm than good and cause sores. Instead, ask them to help you roll onto your side while you wait for help.
Advice
- If you do not see a decrease in pain or improvement in the condition of the wound after a week, if you notice a strange odor coming from it or if you have a fever , consult your doctor or dentist immediately
- Take care of your dental hygiene. Continue to brush your teeth three times a day with a soft-bristled brush. Be careful not to irritate the sore.
Warnings
- Chew your food slowly and do not consume alcohol or tobacco (for example, smoking or chewing), as this will irritate your mucous membranes and delay healing.
- Avoid eating very hot, very spicy or very acidic foods which will irritate the wound and cause discomfortpain relievers
Tags
Personal Care