Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Provide first aid
• Method 2 of 2: Caring for an stitched wound
• Tips

An injured tongue is usually caused by accidentally biting it. Because a lot of blood is supplied to the tongue and mouth, injuries to the tongue and mouth can bleed profusely. Fortunately, most tongue injuries can be treated simply by providing first aid. Many injuries to the tongue eventually heal on their own without causing problems. Find out what to look for and what to do to treat minor cuts to the tongue.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Provide first aid

1. Calm the injured person. Injuries to the mouth and tongue often occur in children that need to be comforted. A cut to the tongue can be a painful and scary experience, so help the injured person to relax. It helps to keep yourself calm and to keep the injured person calm when you treat the wound.
2. Wash and protect your hands. Before touching and helping someone with a cut, wash your hands to reduce the risk of infection. It's also a good idea to wear medical gloves when helping the victim, as blood can contain disease.
3. Help the victim to sit up. By sitting upright and bending the mouth and head forward, blood can flow out of the mouth and prevent it from entering the throat. Swallowing blood can cause the person to vomit, and having them sit upright with their head tilted forward can help prevent this.
4. Watch the cut. A cut to the tongue is likely to bleed profusely. However, look at how deep and how big the cut is. If it is a shallow cut, you can treat it yourself.
   • If the wound is deep and longer than 1.5 cm, get medical attention.
   • If something has passed through the tongue, you should probably seek medical attention.
   • If you suspect a foreign object is trapped in the wound, see a doctor.
5. Apply pressure. Use gauze or a clean cloth to apply firm pressure to the wound for about 15 minutes. This helps to stop bleeding. If you see blood coming through the gauze or cloth, put a new cloth or gauze over the wound without removing the old gauze or cloth.
6. Prepare ice for the wound. Wrap an ice cube in a clean, thin cloth. Hold the ice cube in the cloth against the wound to reduce blood flow and soothe pain and swelling.
   • Do not hold the bundle of ice against the wound for more than three minutes at a time.
   • You can do this up to ten times a day.
   • You can also just suck on an ice cube or keep an ice cube in your mouth.
   • You can also use a popsicle to make it more fun.
   • Apply ice to the wound only on the first day.
   • Make sure your hands and the cloth are clean.
7. Rinse your mouth. The day after you get the wound, start by rinsing your mouth with warm saline solution. You can do this up to six times a day.
   • Rinsing your mouth will help keep the wound clean.
8. Continue to take care of your teeth in the normal way. If you have not injured your teeth, you can simply take care of your teeth in the normal way, for example by brushing your teeth. Before brushing and flossing, make sure your teeth are okay.
   • Do not brush or floss broken or chipped teeth.
   • If you also have an injury to your teeth, see the dentist as soon as possible.
9. Monitor the wound. While the wound heals, keep an eye on its progress. Look for signs that the wound is not healing properly or that there are other problems. Get medical help if you notice any of the following signs:
   • The bleeding does not stop after ten minutes.
   • You get a fever.
   • The wound hurts very much.
   • Pus is flowing from the wound.
10. Eat other foods. Chances are, the cut will make your tongue sore and tender. It is therefore a good idea to eat other foods for a few days after the injury has occurred. This can help soothe your discomfort and prevent further tongue injuries.
    • Don't eat hard foods and opt for soft foods instead.
    • Do not eat very hot and cold foods.
11. Wait for the wound to heal. Most cuts to the tongue should heal without a problem. After giving first aid and caring for the wound, the last step is to simply wait for the wound to heal. Exactly how long it takes for the wound to heal depends on how severe it is.

Method 2 of 2: Caring for an stitched wound

1. Explain the process. Often these are children who sustain injuries to the mouth and usually this happens when they are playing. Your child may be curious or nervous about his or her appointment to have the wound stitched. Explain to your child what is going to happen and why it is necessary. Reassure your child that stitches are good and make him or she feel better.
2. Take the prescribed antibiotics. If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics to help fight an infection, take them according to your doctor's instructions. It is important that you complete the full course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better and think the infection is gone.
3. Watch what you eat. Your tongue will be sensitive, and eating certain foods and drinking certain beverages can make the wound worse. If you feel pain and discomfort when you eat certain foods, stop eating them until your tongue is completely healed.
   • Do not eat hot foods or drink hot drinks if your mouth feels numb after suturing.
   • Do not eat hard and chewy foods.
   • Your doctor may tell you to stop eating certain foods.
4. Don't play with the stitches. It can be frustrating to have a stitched tongue, but don't pull or chew the stitches. This will only weaken the stitches and cause them to fall out.
5. Keep an eye on your progress. During the healing process, monitor your progress to make sure everything is going well. Check your stitches and the wound itself and see your doctor if you notice any of the following:
   • Your stitches have come loose or have fallen out of the wound.
   • The wound has started to bleed again and the bleeding does not stop when you apply pressure.
   • The swelling and pain have become more intense.
   • You got a fever.
   • You have breathing problems.

Tips

• Eat soft foods while the wound is healing.
• During the healing process, monitor the wound for signs of infection and problems healing.