There are times when you’re chewing gum or enjoying a meal that you accidentally bite down lightly on your tongue. These instances are rarely traumatic and prove to be little more than a nuisance. However, there are some other rare situations when something like a blow to the face or hard fall can cause more significant damage to your tongue.
For these traumatic situations, your dentist, Dr. Letitia M. Williams, offers these simple tips to help provide quality care to an injured tongue in Union Springs, Alabama.
The first step is to rinse your mouth gently with lukewarm saltwater. This will help wash away any blood or debris in your mouth and give you a better look at the situation. The saltwater can also help soothe injured tissues.
If your tongue is bleeding profusely or if you’ve bitten through it, you likely need to seek professional treatment at the emergency room or an urgent care clinic.
Wrapping your tongue in a few layers of sterile gauze and applying light pressure can help control the bleeding. If you can’t easily hold the gauze with your fingers, you could try pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Try not to swallow too much blood as this can lead to stomach upset.
If the bleeding persists for longer than 30 minutes or if the pain is getting worse, it’s a clear sign that the tongue injury requires professional treatment in the emergency room or an urgent care clinic.
For further insights on how to provide quality care for an injured tongue, you can always call 334.377.3778 to speak to a staff member at Letitia M. Williams, DDS, LLC.