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Question

i have a bite on my tongue that will not go away. I have used salt water rinses--Anbesol-- peroxidil. It is pretty deep--are there other rinses I can try.

Submitted: 226 days and 22 hours ago.
Category: Health
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Gender: Male
Age: 47
State/Country: Illinois

Already Tried:
Salt water rinses
Anbesol
Peroxyl

Posted by Mark Bornfeld 226 days and 21 hours ago.

Info Request

Dear mrricspics,

When you say "it won't go away"-- how long have you had this tongue injury? Are you re-injuring it by biting it repeatedly?

226 days and 21 hours ago.

Reply

it has been going on 6 weeks. there has been some improvement but one side seemds to be a bump that will not go away. I am sure I have biten it during this time

Posted by Mark Bornfeld 226 days and 20 hours ago.

Answer

Dear mrricspics,

In cases of tongue bites and bumps, it is sometimes difficult to determine what came first-- the bump or the bite. Granted, repeated biting of the tongue can cause swelling and even tissue proliferation. However, things can happen the other way around-- a subtle swelling of the tongue can predispose to tongue biting, and although it may look the same, it is quite a different situation.

I say this because it is quite unusual for a tongue injury not to heal within a week or two. Even if the edges of the wound are separated, healing of the tongue normally proceeds quite rapidly. The fact that your wound has not healed in six weeks is highly suspicious, and suggests that something else is going on-- either a growth, or a proliferative infection.

You need to go to an oral surgeon for a formal assessment of your tongue lesion. Six weeks is more than enough time for a normal wound to heal, so this is clearly abnormal healing, and the reason for the delay must be determined so that an appropriate means of management can be prescribed. Your dentist can provide you with a referral to an oral surgeon.

Hope this helps...

226 days and 20 hours ago.

Reply

I was wondering what the color would look like if it is an infection mine seems to be white--the cut is seperated.

Accepted Answer

Dear mrricspics,

Color would not be a particularly useful diagnostic criterion, because it could be almost any color-- pink, red, yellow, or white. It can be the color of normal surrounding tissue if the infection is deep-seated, or could be white due to the effect of saliva on a fibrin clot, or yellow if there is purulent exudate.

This is not something that can be self-diagnosed-- that is why I am suggesting that you seek professional care.

Hope this helps...

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Expert: Mark Bornfeld
Pos. Feedback: 98.3 %
Accepts: 149
Answered: 8/7/2009

Dentist (DDS or equivalent)

32 years private practice experience in general dentistry, member Academy of General Dentistry, ADA

226 days and 20 hours ago.

Reply

Thank You

Posted by Mark Bornfeld 226 days and 12 hours ago.

Answer

You are welcome. Good luck!

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