Will a tongue that's been bitten through need stitches?!?

My little boy (6) has fallen, bitten through his tongue and broken a chunk off his tooth! The tooth isn't bothering him at the moment, so I don't think we need to see the emergency dentist today. But I am a little worried about his tongue! It seems to have stopped bleeding, but it is still very painful...





Any advice would be most welcome! Why do these things always happen on a public holiday?!

Will a tongue that's been bitten through need stitches?!?
They dont usually require sutures. My only worry would be that the broken there is a possibility that there may be a tooth fragment within the wound - for this reason I would get it professionally checked.





Good luck





Ian
Reply:tongues dont usually get stiched ever,if you can get him to wash his mouth out with warm salt water to cleanse it,make sure he doesnt swallow the mouthwash,or he will thow up.good luck
Reply:YES
Reply:I don't think so because I had a similar experience many years ago due to an accident.. Very painfull but it healed by itself. give it time ! Of course depends if the tongue is plit at soe point , then besy consult a doctor !
Reply:My Nephew did that Iam glad to say it healed up on its own .Give him lots to drink and ice cream will be good to .
Reply:Why are you asking a Q on here take the poor little sod to the hospital now and get it checked out


Stop wasting time
Reply:I would definitely get it checked out by your GP if possible or A %26amp; E department. Depends on nature of tissue damage as to whether stitching is necessary. Other consideration is infection and he may need a tetanus injection.
Reply:depends on how much has been cut.


most should heal without anything.


Stitches would need general anaesthetic.
Reply:A tongue has many capillaries and bleeds profusely when cut,it looks worse than it is.Only in very serious cases does it need stitches.I've bitten my tongue many times,it hurts at the time but I'm still here.
Reply:Shouldn't do- do as the nurse said.


Use Listerine or very strong alcohol.


I'd use whisky/vodka s the tongue will absorb some and it will act as a desensitiser on the wound- and he'll be pretty quiet if he swallows some!
Reply:If no infection results, the tongue will heal on it's own.


Good Luck!
Reply:no. this always happened to me, too, before. just leave his tongue alone. but if you're still worried about the pain, then just put ice on his tongue so that he can't feel the pain anymore for a while.
Reply:NOT USUALLY BUT SEE WHAT DOC SAYS
Reply:If the tongue is bitten through and through, then they seriously consider suturing a tongue. Otherwise, they let it heal on its own because it will heal faster without sutures. But it is ONLY when it goes completely through that it needs stitches. His tetanus should be up to date, it is supposed to be given at 5 years of age, and is good for 5 years with an injury, 10 years without. It is also doubtful they would give antibiotics, the tongue has so many vessels that the blood flow dimishes the chance of infection from self-injury. If it was from something outside of the body, it would be different.
Reply:The tongue does not usually require stitches to heal, but this can depend on the extent of the injury, i.e. - how much has he bitten through.





Considering his age, I would take him to see your GP, or dentist today, this will also put your mind at rest.