Accidentally cutting your tongue can be an uncomfortable experience, often occurring from biting while eating, falls, or other oral trauma. Though the tongue is highly vascular and can bleed significantly, most minor cuts heal well on their own. Proper first aid and aftercare can help manage the injury and support healing.
Immediate First Aid for a Cut Tongue
First, control bleeding and clean the wound. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Gently rinse your mouth with clean water to remove food particles, debris, or excess blood. If a foreign object is embedded in the cut, do not attempt to remove it; seek immediate medical attention.
To stop the bleeding, apply firm, consistent pressure to the wound using clean gauze or a soft cloth. Hold pressure for at least five to ten minutes, keeping your head tilted forward to avoid swallowing blood, which can cause nausea. If bleeding is heavy or soaks through the cloth, apply fresh gauze over the existing one, maintaining pressure. Once bleeding subsides, gently suck on an ice cube or apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth to the outside of your mouth to reduce swelling and pain.
When to Seek Professional Medical Care
Many tongue cuts are minor and heal with home care, but some situations require professional medical attention. Seek immediate medical care if bleeding is heavy and does not stop after 10 to 15 minutes of continuous pressure, or if it restarts. A cut that is deep, gaping, or longer than approximately 1/2 inch (about 1.3 cm) may require stitches to heal properly. Signs that the cut may be deep enough to need stitches include large flaps of tissue or jagged wound edges.
Seek professional evaluation if the injury makes it difficult to speak, swallow, or breathe. Watch for signs of infection in the days following the injury, such as increased pain, swelling, redness, warmth around the wound, pus, or a fever. If the cut was caused by a dirty or rusty object, medical assessment is important to prevent tetanus or other infections.
Promoting Healing and Comfort
To promote healing and manage discomfort after a tongue cut, maintain good oral hygiene and make temporary dietary adjustments. Rinsing your mouth gently with a warm saltwater solution several times a day helps keep the wound clean and promotes healing. Prepare this by mixing one teaspoon of salt into one cup of warm water. Spit out the solution after rinsing; do not swallow it.
During healing, which can take days for minor cuts or weeks for severe ones, choose soft, bland foods that are easy to chew and swallow. Examples include mashed potatoes, yogurt, eggs, and soft fruits. Avoid irritating foods and beverages, such as spicy, acidic, or very salty items, hot liquids, alcohol, and tobacco. Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can be used as directed to manage pain.