How do people usually bite their lips or tongues?

Biting down on your lip or tongue unexpectedly is never fun. You might be chewing just like you normally do, when you suddenly bite down wrong and end up injuring yourself. You may also bite yourself in the course of an accident that presses your teeth against your lips or tongue. Children often accidentally bite their lip or cheek after being anesthetized for dental work. Most times, biting your lip or tongue only results in pain and swelling, and heals fairly quickly. But there are some instances where biting down on your lip or tongue requires emergency medical attention.

How long does an injury to the mouth or tongue take to heal?

Most mouth wounds are minor, and heal within about 7 days and have no consequences. However, if you need stitches or some other type of intervention, it may take a little longer than that.

Do stitches hurt while they are healing?

You may feel a little tenderness or pulling as your stitches heal, but they are not usually painful.

Will I need a followup appointment?

If your injury is minor, then you will likely not need a followup appointment. However, if need to have stitches removed, or if your injury was more serious, a followup appointment may be required to ensure you are healing well.

Bitten Lip or Tongue in Edmonton

If you have bitten your lip or tongue, emergency care may be required. Our Edmonton dentists can help you heal from a mouth injury.

Emergency Care for a Bitten Lip or Tongue

In most cases, bitten lips and tongues are minor injuries that do not require emergency care. But if the injury is severe, or if there is bleeding that won't stop, get to our dental office right away.

Get Help

Have a bitten lip or tongue? Here's what to do:

If there is bleeding, press down on the part of the mouth that is bleeding. Use a clean cloth to do this. If the lip is swollen, use an ice pack to keep the swelling down.

When should I see a dentist?

If the bitten lip or tongue comes with any additional injury to the teeth you should see a dentist right away. For instance, if you have suffered a blow to the mouth that broke a tooth, and in the process of breaking the tooth injured your lip or tongue as well, a visit to the dentist is in order.

When should I go to the emergency room?

If you have debris is stuck in the wound, or the bleeding or swelling won't stop, or signs of infection are developing (redness, tenderness, fever, pus, or swelling) you should go to the emergency room to see a doctor right away:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do people usually bite their lips or tongues?

Biting down on your lip or tongue unexpectedly is never fun. You might be chewing just like you normally do, when you suddenly bite down wrong and end up injuring yourself.

You may also bite yourself in the course of an accident that presses your teeth against your lips or tongue. Children often accidentally bite their lip or cheek after being anesthetized for dental work.

Most times, biting your lip or tongue only results in pain and swelling, and heals fairly quickly. But there are some instances where biting down on your lip or tongue requires emergency medical attention.
How long does an injury to the mouth or tongue take to heal?

Most mouth wounds are minor, and heal within about 7 days and have no consequences. However, if you need stitches or some other type of intervention, it may take a little longer than that.
Do stitches hurt while they are healing?

You may feel a little tenderness or pulling as your stitches heal, but they are not usually painful.
Will I need a followup appointment?

If your injury is minor, then you will likely not need a followup appointment. However, if need to have stitches removed, or if your injury was more serious, a followup appointment may be required to ensure you are healing well.

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