An accidental blow to the chin or crown of the head can potentially cause you to bite down on your own tongue. In some of these scenarios the contact between tongue and teeth can cause bleeding and other soft tissues trauma.
In a moment such as this you may need to apply some simple first aid measures while seeking emergency treatment from a dentist like Dr. Tran Dang. While you make your way to her office, it might help to take steps to assess the severity of the wound to your tongue.
A small amount of lingering blood can often be gently rinsed away with a little bit of lukewarm saltwater. You might then be able to pack the wounded area with a little sterile gauze. Pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth might further help minimize any blood loss.
Sometimes gently applying a small amount of topical oral analgesic or taking a standard dose of an over the counter anti-inflammatory medication might also help minimize discomfort.
Once you arrive at Forever Teeth our dentist will work quickly to assess the severity of the injury to your tongue as well as any other traumatized oral tissues. Once this is done she will present you with an effective treatment strategy or refer you to a specialist for further care.
If you are in the Decatur, Texas, area and you have just suffered a significant tongue injury, you need to call 940-626-4441 to seek emergency treatment from Dr. Tran Dang.