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Did you bite your tongue, or suffer a cut from something sharp like an ice cube or a broken tooth? Tongue cuts are a common injury. Although they can be quite painful, most tongue cuts heal naturally within a few days. Even severe wounds can gradually recover with proper medical treatment and care. In general, you can heal a tongue cut by stopping the bleeding, treating the wound at home, relieving pain, and soothing discomfort.
Steps
Stop the Bleeding
Wash your hands. Wet your hands under warm or cold running water. Rub your palms together with soap for at least 20 seconds. Rinse the soap thoroughly and dry your hands with a clean towel. This step helps prevent infection in your mouth.
- You can use hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable.
Wear latex gloves. It’s advisable to wear latex gloves if available. Gloves are typically found in first aid kits. This step helps prevent infection from spreading to the wound on your tongue.
- If gloves are not available, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before putting them in your mouth.
Rinse your mouth. Swish warm water in your mouth for a few seconds, focusing on cleaning your tongue. This helps to wash away any blood and debris that may be left on the tongue.
- Avoid pulling out anything stuck in the cut, such as fish bones or shards of glass. Stop rinsing immediately, place a wet gauze on the wound, and seek medical attention.
Apply gentle pressure with a clean bandage. Use a piece of gauze or a clean cloth to gently press on the cut and hold it in place until the bleeding stops. If the bleeding continues, replace the gauze or cloth with a fresh one until the bleeding subsides or you receive medical care.
- Do not discard used bandages or gauze if you plan to visit a doctor. Place the used material in a plastic bag and bring it to the clinic to help the doctor determine how much blood was lost.
Apply ice to the wound. Wrap an ice cube in a piece of cloth and place it on the cut, holding it in place for several seconds. The cold temperature from the ice can constrict blood vessels and stop bleeding, as well as relieve pain and discomfort.
- Remove the ice if it becomes too painful or too cold. You may risk a tongue burn from the cold.
Seek emergency care if necessary. You should see a doctor if the wound on your tongue doesn’t heal on its own, but more urgently, you need emergency care if the injury is severe or if you risk going into shock. Wrap yourself in a warm blanket if you are in shock. Go to the emergency room right away if you experience any of the following symptoms related to the wound on your tongue:
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- A cut on the side of the tongue
- Open wound in the mouth
- Shock
- Foreign debris in the wound
- Pale, cold, or sweaty skin
- Rapid, shallow breathing
Healing the Wound
Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash. You should use an alcohol-free mouthwash, such as one designed for children, twice a day. Focus on cleaning your tongue. This step helps kill bacteria, prevent infection, and promote healing.
- Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol. Alcohol-based products can cause pain and discomfort on your tongue.
Rinse with saline solution. Salt is a natural antiseptic that helps kill bacteria. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in warm water and rinse with it twice a day. This will help speed up healing and ease discomfort.
- If you prefer, you can use a medicinal salt solution instead of homemade salt water.
Apply aloe vera gel. Gently apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel to the wound and surrounding skin. This step will help relieve pain and soothe discomfort. Aloe vera also promotes faster healing of the tongue.
Incorporate foods high in vitamin C. Soft foods rich in vitamin C can aid in healing the tongue wound. You should include the following foods in your diet to speed up recovery without increasing discomfort:
- Mango
- Grapes
- Blueberries
Relieving Tongue Pain
Eat soft foods. While your tongue is healing, you should stick to soft foods to minimize pain and promote quicker healing. You can temporarily switch to baby food, mash your meals, or simply opt for softer options. Some soft foods that help reduce pain and promote healing include:
- Eggs
- Ground or tender meat
- Peanut butter
- Cooked or canned fruit
- Steamed or soft-cooked vegetables
- Rice
- Pasta
Avoid irritating foods and drinks. Dry, salty, and spicy foods can worsen the pain on your tongue. Alcoholic beverages and drinks containing caffeine can also increase discomfort. To promote healing and reduce pain, steer clear of these foods and drinks.
Drink plenty of fluids. A dry mouth can intensify pain and discomfort. Staying hydrated will help reduce pain, speed up recovery, and prevent bad breath.
- If it’s easier to drink, you can have warm water with a few drops of lemon.
Take pain relievers. A tongue cut may cause discomfort or swelling. Pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium will help alleviate pain and reduce swelling. Follow the instructions on the medication label or take them as prescribed by your doctor.
