A tooth cutting the tongue is a common discomfort that can cause irritation and pain, making daily activities like eating and speaking challenging. While alarming, it is usually manageable. Understanding the causes and knowing how to respond can promote healing.
Reasons Your Tooth is Cutting Your Tongue
A tooth cutting the tongue often stems from various dental irregularities. A common cause is a sharp edge from a chipped or broken tooth, which creates a jagged surface that irritates the soft tissues of the mouth. Similarly, old or improperly fitted dental fillings or crowns can develop rough edges, causing friction and cuts on the tongue. Even natural tooth wear can expose softer dentin, making teeth feel sharper over time.
Misaligned teeth, such as erupting wisdom teeth or general crookedness, can position a tooth to consistently rub against or bite the tongue. Dental appliances like new braces, ill-fitting dentures, or retainers might also present uncomfortable surfaces or edges that cause irritation. Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism) can wear down tooth enamel unevenly, creating sharp points that contribute to tongue lacerations. Accidental trauma to the mouth can also result in a tooth shifting or fracturing, forming a sharp area.
What to Do and When to See a Dentist
When a tooth cuts your tongue, immediate steps provide temporary relief. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help clean the wound, reduce inflammation, and minimize infection. Applying a cold compress to the outside of your cheek near the affected area can help numb pain and reduce swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can also help manage discomfort.
To protect your tongue from further injury, covering the sharp tooth edge with dental wax is an effective temporary measure. Sugar-free chewing gum or a cotton ball can serve a similar purpose by creating a barrier between the tooth and the tongue. These temporary solutions provide comfort until professional dental care is sought.
Seek professional dental attention if the pain persists despite home remedies, or if the cut on your tongue appears deep or wide, possibly requiring stitches. Signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, pus, or a fever, require an immediate dental visit. If you experience difficulty eating or speaking, or if the tongue irritation does not improve within a few days, a dentist can assess the situation and recommend treatment.
Professional Treatment and Future Prevention
Dentists address teeth that cut the tongue with various methods, depending on the cause. For sharp edges, dental contouring or filing gently smooths rough areas to prevent further irritation. If a tooth is chipped or broken, the dentist might repair it using dental bonding, applying tooth-colored resin to restore its smooth surface. For extensive damage, a crown or veneer may reshape and protect the tooth.
If the issue stems from ill-fitting dental work, the dentist can adjust or replace problematic dental work to ensure a proper fit. For misaligned teeth or bite issues, orthodontic treatment, such as braces or clear aligners, may correct tooth positioning. If teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism) is the cause, a custom-fitted night guard protects teeth and soft tissues during sleep.
Preventing recurrence involves consistent oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups for early detection and correction. Promptly addressing chipped teeth or discomfort from dental appliances prevents ongoing tongue irritation. Wearing a mouthguard during contact sports can also safeguard against trauma that might lead to sharp tooth edges.