Tongue Injury: Care Instructions

Overview

Tongue injuries are common. You may bite your tongue while playing sports or because of a seizure, a car or bike crash, a fight, a fall, or another injury. Braces or mouth jewelry can also poke or cause sores on your tongue. Sometimes the piece of skin under your tongue may tear.

A cut or tear to the tongue can bleed a lot. Small injuries may often heal on their own. If the injury is long or deep, it may need stitches that dissolve over time.

If a piece of your tongue was cut off or bitten off, it may have been reattached.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Eat soft foods that are easy to swallow.
• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
• Apply a cold compress to the injured area. Or suck on a piece of ice or a flavored ice pop.
• Rinse your wound with warm salt water right after meals. These rinses may relieve some pain. To make a saltwater solution, mix 1 tsp of salt in 1 cup of warm water.