How to Heal a Bitten Tongue

METHODS

1Performing Immediate First Aid

2Cleaning and Healing Your Wound with Rinses

3Healing and Soothing Your Pain

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Article Summary

Co-authored by Alina Lane, DDS

Last Updated: November 18, 2020 References Approved

Almost everyone undergoes the painful experience of accidentally biting their tongues at some point. While you may not be able to avoid biting your tongue, there are a few things you can do to help heal your tongue if you do bite it.

Method1

Performing Immediate First Aid

1. 
   1
   Wash your hands. Before you touch the inside of your mouth, take a minute to wash your hands with warm water and soap. If this is not available, use hand sanitizer. The goal is to prevent the germs on your hands from transferring to the now open wound on your tongue, possibly causing infection.^[1]

   • Resistant viruses can also cause an infection if they come into contact with a bleeding wound.
2. 
   2
   Apply pressure. Your tongue will most likely start bleeding the moment it is bitten because it is highly vascular. Applying pressure to the area will slow the blood flow and allow it to clot. It is important to take action immediately following the injury.^[2]

   • If the tip of your tongue is injured, push it up against the roof of your mouth and hold for five second intervals. You can also press your tongue against the interior of your cheek.
   • If you can reach the wound, grab a piece of ice and place it on the bitten area. You can even hold the ice cube using your hard palate and pressing on it with your tongue if it's not too painful. Move the ice on and off until it melts. You can also place a clean cloth or medical gauze on the area, pressing down a bit as you do so.^[3]
3. 
   3
   Examine the wound. Open your mouth wide and use a mirror to look inside at your tongue. If the bleeding has stopped and the wound appears superficial, you can continue to treat it at home. If the bleeding continues or increases and the cut seems deep, call your dentist to see if sutures are necessary.

   • It may also be an emergency if the bleeding is intense. In this case, you should call emergency services.
4. 
   4
   Check for other injuries. Biting your tongue can often be the result of a sports injury or a falling accident. Feel the rest of your mouth to check for damaged or loose teeth, or bleeding gums which can be caused by a tooth fracture. Move your jaw up and down to see if you experience any additional pain. If you have one of these injuries, contact your doctor or dentist.^[4]
5. 
   5
   Apply a cold pack. Your tongue will begin to swell right after the injury. This makes it easy to bite it again. Place something cold, such as ice wrapped in a clean cloth, to the wound site. Hold the pack in place for a minute until numbness begins to set in, then remove it. Repeat. You may want to do this several times over the next few days.^[5]

   • If a child is the one injured, they may prefer that you use a frozen fruit bar to numb the area.^[6]
6. 
   6
   Take a pain pill. Choose an anti-inflammatory medication that you tolerate well, such as Advil, and take the recommended dosage as soon as you can. This will help to reduce the swelling. It will also counter the onset of pain, which is likely to occur shortly after injury.^[7]
7. 
   7
   Rinse with mouthwash. If you have mouthwash on hand, use it to quickly rinse out your mouth. This will help to clean the area and prevent infection. This is especially important if you were eating when you bit down. Spit out the mouthwash and repeat once more if blood is present.^[8]

Method2

Cleaning and Healing Your Wound with Rinses

1. 
   1
   Do a saltwater rinse. Take 1 cup (250mL) of warm tap water. Add 1 tsp (5 g) of salt and mix with a spoon. Swish this mixture in your mouth for 15 to 20 seconds and then spit it out. You can repeat this process up to three times a day until healed. It is especially effective immediately after meals.^[9]

   • The salt helps to kill off bad bacteria in the mouth. This makes the area cleaner and lowers the possibility of infection.^[10] It also has healing properties that may help the wound to heal faster.
2. 
   2
   Swish hydrogen peroxide and water in your mouth. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide (3%) and water in a glass. Swish this mixture in your mouth for 15 to 20 seconds and the spit it out. Be careful not to swallow. You can repeat this process up to four times daily.^[11]

   • Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful antiseptic which will help to control bacterial activity in your wound. It will also act as a cleansing agent by removing debris from the cut and delivering a constant quantity of oxygen to the cells, which also helps to stop the bleeding.
   • It also comes in a gel form that you can apply directly to your cut using a clean cotton swab.
   • Hydrogen peroxide can also help whiten your teeth. However, it may cause some tooth sensitivity.^[12]
3. 
   3
   Rinse with an antacid/antihistamine. Take one part diphenhydramine, like Benadryl allergy liquid, and one part of an antacid, like milk of magnesia, and mix it together. Swish this mixture in your mouth for a minute and then spit it out. You can do this once or twice a day.

   • Antacids control the acid levels in the mouth which promotes healing. An antihistamine will lessen the inflammation. Combining these medicines creates what some people refer to as a “miracle mouthwash.”^[13]
   • If you don’t feel comfortable swishing the mixture, you can also make the solution a bit thicker and apply it as a paste.
4. 
   4
   Use a traditional mouthwash. Benzydamine hydrochloride, 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate, or just your standard mouthwash are all good options. Take the suggested amount into your mouth and swish it around for 15 to 30 seconds. Spit the liquid out. Repeat this process after eating. This will help to keep your wound clear of food particles, which also promotes healing by preventing infection.^[14]

Method3

Healing and Soothing Your Pain

1. 
   1
   Continue to use an ice pack or cold compress. Place a few ice cubes in a plastic bag and then put this on your tongue until the pain is lessened. You can also wrap the bag in a moist hand towel for additional comfort. Suck on a popsicle or drink cold liquids for relief, but nothing that is acidic.

   • This will stop the bleeding if your cut reopens and it will reduce your pain during the healing process.
   • Be patient—it can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks or longer for your tongue to heal, depending on how severely you bit it.During that time, avoid crunchy, spicy, hot, or cold foods that could irritate your tongue.^[15]
2. 
   2
   Apply aloe vera. You can purchase aloe vera gel at the drug store. Or, you can cut an aloe vera leaf and squeeze out some of the jelly from the inside. Apply this substance to your wound a maximum of 3 times a day. For best results, apply after rinsing your mouth and before you go to sleep at night.^[16]

   • Aloe vera is a natural plant-based remedy that has been shown to improve blood circulation. It also combats certain types of harmful bacteria. Just be careful not to swallow the gel directly.^[17]
   • You can also apply the gel to a piece of sterile gauze and keep it on the wound. This may provide a longer lasting effect by preventing your saliva from diluting the gel.
3. 
   3
   Apply a mouth gel. Purchase a numbing and antiseptic gel from your local pharmacy. Orajel, for example, comes in a small tube for easy application. Simply squeeze a bead of the gel onto a clean cotton swab and apply to the wound area. Repeat this application 2-4 times a day until healed.
4. 
   4
   Try an oral adhesive paste. This works similarly to the mouth gels. Take a bead of the paste, put it on a swab, and apply it to the wound site. Repeat this method up to 4 times a day until healed. You can also apply the paste directly with your finger.
5. 
   5
   Use baking soda. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with water until it forms a smooth consistency. Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it to the bitten area. Baking soda lessens the produce of acids and bacteria. It is helpful in reducing swelling and inflammatory pain.^[18]
6. 
   6
   Consume honey. Fill a teaspoon up with honey, lick the it off or drip it onto the wound area. Repeat this process twice a day. The honey will coat your mouth and prevent the accumulation of harmful bacteria. For even better results, add a dash of turmeric to the honey. Turmeric is antibacterial and will help in the bacteria fight, which will promote healing when it is combined with bee propolis.^[19]
7. 
   7
   Apply milk of magnesia to your wound. Dip a cotton swab into a bottle of milk of magnesia. Apply the medicine to the wound area. You can do this three to four times a day. It is even more effective when used after a rinse. Milk of magnesia is an active antacid. It will make the environment of your mouth more hospitable for good bacteria.^[20]

Method4

Taking Precautionary Measures

1. 
   1
   See your dentist. You need to visit your dentist at least twice a year for routine treatment. If you need additional care due to biting issues, you’ll want to make more frequent appointments. Some people are particularly at risk for mouth injuries, such as those with sharp teeth or those who have lots of cavities that might cause fractures and leave sharp edges, so your dentist can suggest possible solutions.^[21]

   • For example, if your teeth are not aligned properly, you might find yourself biting your tongue repeatedly. Your dentist or an orthodontist will be able to offer preventative suggestions.
2. 
   2
   Check the fit of your dentures. Make sure that your dentures fit snugly against your gums and do not move overly much. Your dentures should not have sharp edges. See your dentist to make sure your dentures fit correctly if you are suffering from biting injuries.^[22]
3. 
   3
   Avoid irritation from orthodontic appliances. If you wear orthodontic appliances, make sure that they fit in your mouth without too much movement. Ask your orthodontist about the level of movement that you should anticipate. This will help you to make corrections and avoid biting your tongue. Also, place a small ball of wax over any sharp brackets that may puncture your tongue.
4. 
   4
   Wear protective gear. If you play a sport where you mouth could be at risk, wear a mouth guard and/or a helmet. These devices will stabilize your jaw in the event of an impact and lessen the possibility of tongue biting or other injuries. ^[23]
5. 
   5
   Manage your epilepsy safely. If you have epilepsy, provide careful instructions for those around you. Placing an item in your mouth during a seizure may do more harm than good and may lead to biting injuries. Instead, they should call for assistance and roll you onto your side until help arrives.