Tongue biting

[sue-66]

Hello there, can anyone give me suggestions to stop my partner from biting his tongue. After nearly 5 weeks, he finally has a trachy, before that, he was biting on the tube that went down his throat, his tongue was stuck out a little because of the tube. I have been told it is a habit, but wondered what I could do to help?

[cat3]

Sue, I'm assuming your partner is still in hospital ; in which case has his consultant not suggested therapy to address the problem ? Cat x

[sue-66 in reply to cat3]

He is in icu but waiting for a bed in the high dependency ward. So no help there.

[cat3 in reply to sue-66]

OK, may be too early as other issues will take presidence. It's not uncommon after brain injury, owing to temporary loss of feeling/function, so I'd ask again when your partner is admitted to HDU, though I suspect it's more likely to be addressed after his transfer to the rehab ward.

Hopefully they can provide a shield for his teeth when they consider him to have the necessary presence of mind to use it safely. It's extremely common for people suffering seizures to bite the tongue and, fortunately, it has an amazing healing ability.

I hope you can get the help needed to make your partner more comfortable. Best wishes, Cat x

[sue-66]

Thank you cat, thats more help then I have had x

[daveeb]

I agree with Cat, having epilepsy myself, I know what you're talking about. It's not the best solution but, earlier this year I had a back tooth removed making it a little better. I still bite my tongue but not so bad.