Why do I keep biting my tongue? | dental care report (2023)

Do you keep biting your tongue but don't know why? It happens so fast you wonder how the hell you didn't see it coming. Is there anything I can do to prevent my tongue from getting in the way of my teeth? Well, it's time to get answers.

Biting your tongue is a common problem that happens accidentally and yes, it hurts. There! The sudden sharp pain you feel is the result of yourThe teeth sink into the soft and sensitivetissue of your tongue. The level of pain and the amount of bleeding depend on the severity of the injury. A small cut or sore will usually bleed a little and heal on its own, usually within a week. However, there are cases where you may need medical attention.

Although tongue biting can occur in a variety of situations, scientific researchers say the underlying cause is a short circuit in the brain.As you read on, you'll learn about the brain's role in tongue biting, how to treat tongue bites at home, when to see a doctor, and how to avoid tongue biting.

Why do you bite your tongue?

People bite their tongues while chewing vigorously, talking, biting their nails, exercising, sleeping, during a fall or car accident, under severe stress, or after dental anesthesia. However, it seems that most people accidentally sink their teeth into their tongues while chewing, even chewing unconsciously. And there is a good explanation for this.

The teeth, tongue, and jaw are part of a structure called the mouth, or oral cavity. They work together in a systematic way to allow you to bite, chew and talk. However, there are times when proper functioning is disrupted and you bite your tongue.

Some researchers at Duke University decidedsophisticated tracking technologyin mice to understand how the human brain coordinates the movements of the jaw and tongue muscles during chewing. They explained that there are several premotor neurons that help open the jaw and project (project) the tongue.

There is also another group of motor neurons that help close the jaw and retract (pull) the tongue. Sometimes these interconnected neurons miscommunicate, causing you to clench your jaw before your tongue has a chance to fully move. The result is a nasty bite on the tongue.

Other Causes or Risk Factors of Tongue Biting

the kids areI prefer to bite my tonguebecause they are more active than adults. But while it's normal to accidentally bite your tongue from time to time, frequent tongue biting is usually related to underlying problems like tongue propulsion caused by the jaw and misaligned teeth.

• Malocclusion: the teeth will not work properlyif it is misaligned and can cause biting of the tongue when speaking or chewing. Examples of malocclusions are overbite, crossbite, underbite, open bite, and crowded teeth. OKhealth line, the bottom row of teeth must be aligned to prevent the tongue from biting.

Disorders that cause facial or jaw muscle spasms also increase the risk of tongue biting. For example, people may bite their tongue while sleeping or have seizures. Biting your tongue at night is relatively common and can be caused by something more serious, such as:

• Bruxism while sleeping: Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is a condition in which you unconsciously or involuntarily grind and clench your teeth. The most common causes are stress, anxiety, and sleep apnea. Bruxism can also occur while you are awake (awake bruxism).
• Nocturnal seizures (epilepsy):Seizures cause the facial muscles to twitch and twist violently. This causes the person experiencing the seizure to involuntarily bite their tongue. Sometimes a doctor will insert an object, such as a spoon, into the person's mouth to prevent them from biting their tongue. However, doctors warn against this practice, as the object can seriously injure the person's teeth or gums, or even cause choking.
• Rhythmic Movement Disorder:The disorder is common in children, but it also affects adults. It is characterized by sudden movements during sleep, such as jerking of the neck or head. Sudden movements can lead to biting the tongue.

What can you use at home to treat your tongue bites?

Tongue bite injuries arerarely seriousand can be treated at home. The following is a guide to help control bleeding, reduce swelling, and aid wound healing:

• Rinse mouth with room temperature water. The download allows you to see the location of the wound and determine its severity.
• Use a clean, clean cloth or sterile gauze pad to apply pressure to the wound for about five minutes.
• If necessary, wrap crushed ice in the washcloth to control swelling. (Avoid putting ice directly on the tongue.)
• You can rinse your mouth with warm salt water two to three times a day to relieve pain and prevent infection. Prepare the brine with 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of salt.
• If your child has a small tongue, remember to wear gloves before tending to the wound. This can help prevent infection.

Severe bites on the tongue.

Tongue bites that result from a car accident or sports injury are usually more serious and can bleed profusely. In such cases, home care may not be enough. A tongue bite is considered serious if the cut, wound, or scrape is larger than 2 centimeters or if the bleeding stops after 15 minutes of applying pressure. In these cases, you should consider seeking medical help.

For serious injuries, you may need stitches and medication. It can also take several weeks or months for it to heal completely. Here are some other cases in which you should see a doctor immediately:

• The pain is persistent or severe.
• The bleeding is excessive
• have a fever (a sign of infection)
• The tongue looks red, swollen, or hot
• You notice red streaks or pus on your tongue
• Your tongue looks visibly deformed or is missing a piece

When should you see a dentist or doctor if you bite your tongue?

You already know why it is important to see a doctor in case of serious bites on the tongue. You should also consider seeing your dentist or doctor in the following circumstances:

• Common Tongue Bites:Frequent biting of the tongue can cause painful sores or ulcers. Your tongue may also look bumpy on the surface or on the sides.
• Sleep disorders:Your doctor can prescribe treatments to prevent tongue biting related to problems like insomnia, stress, or sleep apnea.
• grind teeth:Visit your dentist if you tend to grind your teeth during the day or night. Your dentist may recommend a mouth appliance, such as a B. night watch, to keep your teeth away from your tongue while you sleep. To give you a perfect fit, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and create an impression. The form is then sent to aDental laboratory for the production of an individual mouth.Protection that adapts to your teeth and your bite.
• misaligned teeth:If your dentist discovers that your teeth or jaws are misaligned, he or she may recommend braces to correct the misalignment. This helps reduce problems like tongue thrusting and biting.
• seizures:If biting your tongue at night is the result of your seizures, your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce the frequency and severity of your seizures. The more effective the treatment, the lower the risk of biting your tongue.

This will prevent you from biting your tongue.

You may not be able to help biting your tongue, which happens accidentally due to a confusion of brain signals. However, here are some steps you can take to avoid injury while eating and sleeping:

• Chewing slowly:You are more likely to bite your tongue when you are in a hurry or when eating hot or cold food. Allow foods to cool or reheat cold foods before eating and eat them in small portions. You should also avoid chewing hard and talking while you chew.
• Avoid hard foods:Biting into hard foods like ice cream and candy can make you more susceptible to tongue injuries. Because hard foods impair the sensory and coordination functions of the brain when biting and chewing.
• Wear a mask:Invest in a mouth guard to guard against injury, especially if you play sports. Athletes who play contact sports are more likely to injure their teeth, tongue, oreraser when not in usea mouth guard
• Reduce stress: Stress is an important factorCause of nocturnal tongue bitingbruxism By managing stress throughout the day, you can reduce the risk of grinding your teeth and biting your tongue.

final thoughts

Biting the tongue seems to be a normal event in the lives of children and adults alike. If it hurts me! However, the lesion is small in most cases and can betreated at home. Remember to check the wound for excessive bleeding and signs of infection.

That being said, the best thing you can probably do is watch out for bad habits like talking while chewing, biting your nails, chewing on hard foods, and grinding your teeth. Finally, remember to wear your surgical mask and take your medication for underlying problems like seizures and sleep apnea.

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