Bleeding Tongue

Tongue is a muscle which consists of soft tissues. There is a dense network of blood vessels inside the tongue. Tongue, being one of the most utilized muscles of the body, is susceptible to various injuries. Due to the heavy network of blood vessels underneath, the damage easily causes them to rupture. This results in profuse bleeding of the tongue. Although, the cause of bleeding tongue can be as minor as biting a tongue, the presence of large number of bacteria in mouth makes it an issue of concern. Bleeding tongue can more often than not lead to infections of serious consequence, if not treated in time. Given below are some causes, symptoms and remedies for bleeding tongue.

Bleeding Tongue: Causes, Symptoms and Remedies

Bleeding Tongue Causes
There are myriad causes for bleeding tongue, most common causes include, biting of tongue while eating or talking. Ill fitting dentures or dental implants may also cause bleeding tongue. A broken teeth may often result in deep cut on tongue which leads to heavy bleeding. Sometimes, tongue ulcers may develop on the tongue which are extremely painful and bleed occasionally. Sometimes, cold sores and canker sores may also develop on the tongue, which may be a cause of bleeding tongue sores. Rarely, the cause of bleeding tongue can be something as serious as tongue cancer.

Bleeding Tongue Symptoms
The most important of all symptoms is obviously blood flow at the sight of damage. Sometimes, when the impact of the injury is not enough to rupture the underlying blood vessels, it may only lead to redness of tongue. The area becomes tender to touch and is very prone to further damage while eating or talking. If the cause of bleeding tongue is tongue cancer, then you may experience a slight growth at the base of the tongue, at the back of your mouth. This growth is in the form of a white or red spot, which bleeds frequently and without any apparent reason. In addition, you may have a persistent bad breath and a bad taste in mouth.

Bleeding Tongue Remedies
When you accidentally bite your tongue while eating or talking, you first need to attend to the blood flow. Before touching your tongue with your hand, wash it with a disinfectant soap, because tongue is prone to all kinds of infection. Then press the wound with a clean gauze pad or a cloth. Tilt your head forward to avoid chocking due to blood that accumulates at the back of throat. Apply a cube of ice on the tongue for some time. It will constrict the blood vessels and eventually stop the blood flow. You may also place a cold tea bag containing black or green tea. The tannins in black and green tea facilitates the coagulation of blood. You can also use some herbs for treating bleeding tongue. These herbs are as follows.

Alum Root: Alum root has amazing antiviral and astringent properties. It is very effective against bleeding, tongue ulcers and skin abrasions. It is available in capsules, which can be ground to make a mouthwash.

Calendula: Calendula tea has great healing properties and promotes the repair of damaged tissues. Drink calendula tea thrice a day to treat bleeding tongue.

Lemon Balm: Lemon balm is a herb which has effective antiviral properties. It is mostly used in mouth washes for its disinfectant properties. Swish lemon balm mouthwash at least 3 to 4 times a day.

Licorice: Licorice is a great bleeding tongue remedy due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Consume licorice until the symptoms of bleeding tongue disappear.

Bleeding tongue can be extremely painful and difficult to treat due to continuous saliva production in the mouth. If you have severely injured your tongue, you should immediately consult a medical practitioner, who may initiate the treatment without further delay.