Tongue Laceration

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Tongue Laceration

Scenario:

Usually caused by hitting the chin. The teeth trap the tongue, biting a hole

in it.

Description:

Most cuts on the tongue heal quickly, with no special care required. You

may, in fact, hear that doctors never sew tongue cuts. Not true. Big deep

cuts of the tongue require stitches!

Concerns:

A small cut in the tongue heals well without stitches. If the laceration is

under 1/2 inch long and doesn't gape when you move your tongue around, it

can usually be ignored. Big or deep tongue cuts will open up and move around

as you use your tongue -- filling up with taco chips. The result is a

permanent cleft in the tongue. The tongue almost never gets infected, but if

it does, it's very serious.

See the doctor if:

the laceration is very large or shifts around when the tongue is moved

the laceration won't stop bleeding

there is dirt or debris in the wound

the jaw can't be moved fully

there are other injuries

See the dentist if:

a tooth is tender, wiggling, cracked, or missing

Immediate care:

Push the part of the tongue that's bleeding against the cheek or the roof of

the mouth.

Ongoing care:

Use a soft diet for about two days. Avoid tart or spicy foods. Avoid

splintery or sharp foods such as taco chips. Expect about 4 to 7 days to

heal.

Watch for:

Expect bad breath. See the doctor if the tongue swells significantly, or if

there's fever, or swollen tender glands below the angle of the jaw.

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/firstaid/mouthcut.htm