Minor tongue injuries while eating often prove to be more of an inconvenience than an oral trauma. Yet there are other times when a tongue injury might be more severe, calling for first aid or even professional treatment. To help assess and render quality care for an oral injury like this, Dr. Lonnie Anderson offers the following basic information.
The first step is to assess the severity of the damage to your tongue. If you have blood or debris in your mouth, you can rinse them away with lukewarm saltwater. You shouldn’t rinse with antiseptic mouthwash as it can easily irritate the tongue injury. If your tongue is bleeding excessively, you shouldn’t swallow the blood as this can upset your stomach.
If your tongue is bleeding, you can wrap it in a few layers of sterile gauze and apply light pressure. If you can’t easily hold the gauze with your fingers, you might want to try pressing it to the roof of your mouth.
If after 20 to 30 minutes the bleeding persists or if you feel that the pain is getting worse, you should strongly consider going the emergency room or a nearby urgent care facility for more advanced treatment.
If you need further advice on how to treat a tongue injury in Juneau, Alaska, you can always call 907-789-2066 to speak to a staff member at Lonnie A. Anderson, DDS.
