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How to care for a torn piece of tongue after you free it from metal
If a piece of tongue rips or tears off when it's removed from the metal, here are steps to follow:
- Wrap the piece of tongue in a clean cloth or sterile gauze, if available.
- Put the wrapped piece of tongue in a bag of ice to keep it cool. Do not put the piece directly on the ice. Do not cover it in ice water.
- Go to the emergency room right away. Be sure to take the bag with you.
A small tear or rip that has stopped bleeding probably doesn't need emergency care.
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