How to Relieve Pain From Biting My Tongue

Biting your tongue can be excruciatingly painful. If you bite your tongue very hard, you might need to see a doctor to make sure your tongue is not infected. In addition, the pain from biting your tongue can prevent you from eating, which is another reason to talk to your doctor about treatment options. There are steps you can take to relieve pain from biting your tongue.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor visit
• Antibiotic
• Antiseptic mouth rinse
• Numbing gel
• Pain relief medication

Instructions

1. See your doctor to make sure your tongue is not infected. Biting your tongue can cause an infection, especially if the bite is deep. Your treatment will depend on whether you have an infection or just a painful bite.

2. If your tongue is infected because of the bite, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. When the infection is resolved, your pain will subside.

3. Rinse your mouth. In addition to antibiotics, your doctor might suggest an antiseptic mouth rinse to keep the injury clean. The cleaner you keep your mouth, the sooner your bite will heal. Your doctor might prescribe a mouthwash for you or suggest an over-the-counter brand.

4. Try a numbing gel. Over-the-counter oral numbing gels can bring fast relief from biting your tongue. Dry off your tongue before applying the gel. Follow the directions on the package.

5. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. An anti-inflammatory pain reliever not only will reduce the pain from biting your tongue, but also can minimize any associated swelling. If your tongue is bleeding, aspirin or ibuprofen might make it bleed more, so take acetaminophen. Check with your doctor if you are not sure which pain reliever to take.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid spicy foods. Spicy foods will irritate your tongue, so stick with bland foods until your pain subsides.

• If the pain in your tongue becomes severe, or if your tongue bleeds excessively or swells up, contact your doctor right away. You might need immediate medical treatment such as antibiotics or stitches.

References

• Traumatic Injuries of the Lips and Tongue