| name: | Bit Tongue |
| also known as: | Bit Cheek; Tongue Biting; Cheek Biting |
| also see: | Laceration; Laceration Repair |
| description: | Most people accidentally bite their tongue or cheek while chewing food, which can result in a small cut that bleeds. Bleeding might be fairly impressive even from a small cut because of the exuberant blood flow within the facial area. Some people have a nervous habit of chewing the inside of their cheek, a habit that will produce scar (white line) and a habit that should be curtailed if at all possible. A tongue laceration, such as from a fall, might be different and often requires medical attention or even stitches (sutures). Although deep and long tongue laceration usually heal quickly on their own, if the laceration might result in a notch or a forked-tongue, suture repair to prevent these deformities is indicated. |
| signs & symptoms: | Includes a small cut and some bleeding, as well as pain and soreness. |
| diagnosis: | Based on history and exam. |
| treatment: | Most minor tongue and cheek bites heal on their own with routine oral mouth care, such as rinsing and spitting with mouthwash and/or dilute peroxide, sucking on a cold item such as a popsicle or ice cube (not for infants) to stop bleeding and pain, and, if the cut is big or associated with prolonged bleeding, go the doctor. |
| prevention: | None. |
| outcome: | The inside of the mouth heals well. |
skynetMD suggests the following:
| if: | If the person accidentally bit their tongue or cheek and the bleeding doesn't stop after 10-20 minutes, or, if a day or so later there are signs of infection, such as increasing pain, swelling, fever, drainage, swollen neck lymph nodes, or, if the person frequently bites their tongue or cheek, or, if the biting is related to poorly fitting dentures, or, if the person may have had a seizure and bit their tongue (which is actually uncommon) |
| go to: | Go to the doctor or appropriate health care provider. |
Last updated December 1, 2001