Can Your Tongue Grow Back?‍ - The Freeman Online (2024)

Can Your Tongue Grow Back?‍ - The Freeman Online (1)

The thought of your tongue being torn out probably makes you cringe, but there are some crazy things that people willingly do to their bodies. Tongue splitting or cutting is a form of body modification where the tongue is cut partially or completely and can regrow naturally. There are two types of tongue splitting – conventional and reverse. This article will explore the process, risks, and benefits of growing a split tongue if you feel this is right for you. Keep reading to learn more about how your tongue can be split and grow back again!

Can Your Tongue Grow Back?‍

The answer is yes. But the process is very complicated and not as simple as you might think. If we’re talking about a normal tongue, then yes, your tongue can be replaced. But if you’re talking about a tongue that has been damaged completely by cancer, then the chances of it being able to grow back are slim to none.

What Is Tongue Splitting?

Tongue splitting is a form of body modification where a person’s tongue is cut partially or completely to create one or more grooves along its length. Splitting is often accompanied by the removal of the frenulum (the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth). Splitting is generally done by a professional who will use a scalpel to make a line down the center of the tongue. It has been done for many years in many cultures, although the reasons for it are not completely clear. Theories have been put forward that it was used as a form of identification (much as tattoos are today), as a sign of mourning, or as part of a rite of passage.

Is There Any Way To Grow Back Your Tongue?

  • In the above-mentioned cases, the tongues were grown back by surgical means. This is an advanced procedure and is generally only done for those who are in desperate need of a replacement tongue.
  • There have been oral surgery procedures that attempt to recreate the structure of a normal tongue in an attempt to grow one back but these methods are not as successful and often do not produce a completely normal tongue.
  • If you are unfortunate enough to have had it removed due to cancer or trauma, then there is no way to grow it back in a natural way. However, with some research and time, you may be able to find someone who can help you create something resembling your original tongue using prosthetic materials like silicone or latex.
  • There is a variety of tongue splitting techniques and it seems there are even more different styles of tongue splitting available today than there have ever been. Most of the methods used to split a tongue are based on the ancient art of tattooing and this has led to the creation of many complex and highly realistic-looking tongue-splitting designs.
  • There is no way to grow back your tongues without undergoing extensive reconstructive surgery that is almost always irreversible. Even if you do find someone who can help you recreate your original tongue, it will look nothing like yours and will not be able to function as well as your natural tongue.
  • If you do get a replacement, then it will be made of plastic or synthetic material and this may cause problems with swallowing food and other substances as well as long-term health issues for those who are allergic to latex or silicone.
  • The most common cause of tongue splitting is cancer and it is a very rare occurrence. If you have suffered from cancer, then your chances of growing back your tongue are slim to none but if you do survive cancer, there may be a chance that you may be able to grow back a little piece of your original tongue.
  • The last case that we can talk about is the most unusual and probably the least likely to occur – if you have had the unusual experience of being hit on the head with a blunt object such as a baseball bat, then there is some possibility that you may grow back an extra tongue. In rare cases, this has been successfully done and it has been reported that it works quite well in helping people talk again.

Tips For Keeping A Healthy Tongue

  1. Do not bite your tongue. This is a common mistake that people make and it is a very easy mistake to make when you are talking. You may be able to talk normally with your mouth closed but when you open your mouth and start talking, it can cause the split tongue to split further down on the side of your tongue and this can be very painful.
  2. Do not smoke or drink alcohol excessively. These are both things that are bad for the health of the tongue and they can cause splitting of the tongue as well as other problems such as dryness, cracking, bleeding, and more.
  3. Avoid having a cold or flu from time to time if possible because these will cause swelling in the throat which will push against the sides of your tongue causing even more splitting if you are already suffering from a split tongue! If you do get a cold or flu, try to take some extra care of yourself and stay away from drinking much water so that you do not swallow any excess saliva during those times when you have a sore throat which could push even further into your lip causing more splits!
  4. Eat healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and whole grains instead of eating junk food because these foods will help keep everything in good working order instead of making things worse!
  5. Try not to stick anything up inside your mouth like straws, pencils, or pens because this could damage some of the soft tissues inside your mouth and this could cause you to get a split tongue.
  6. If you do end up with a split tongue, try not to chew on the sides of your tongue because this can cause even more splitting and this can be very painful as well. Instead, try to get something that is smooth like a toothbrush to help clean the sides of your tongue.

Final Words

Tongue splitting is a form of body modification that dates back centuries. While it is practiced around the world, there is little information on the long-term effects of splitting the tongue. This article explores the process, risks, and benefits of growing a split tongue if you feel this is right for you.

Can Your Tongue Grow Back?‍ - The Freeman Online (2024)

FAQs

Can tongues grow back? ›

Surgical resections alone create volumetric muscle loss whereby muscle tissue cannot self-regenerate within the tongue. In these cases, the tongue is reconstructed typically in the form of autologous skin flaps.

Can a severed tongue be reattached? ›

If the injury is long or deep, it may need stitches that dissolve over time. If a piece of your tongue was cut off or bitten off, it may have been reattached. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.

How long does it take for the tongue to regenerate? ›

Your tongue heals fast. The cells in your taste buds regenerate every one to two weeks. Even if foods taste less flavorful for a short while following a tongue burn, your taste should return to normal within a week or so.

Do tongue splits grow back? ›

So more good news for you: It's totally reversible. In fact, if the exposed flesh isn't closed properly after the split (either with sutures or cauterization), your tongue will just go ahead and remerge on its own [source: Loftus].

Can you rebuild a tongue? ›

For a total glossectomy, your surgeon removes your entire tongue. They'll reconstruct your tongue with tissue from somewhere else on your body. To ensure blood flow, your surgeon will connect any remaining blood vessels to the new piece of tissue. In some cases, your surgeon can create a new tongue.

Do tongue buds grow back? ›

Taste buds regenerate approximately every 10 days, which means injured taste buds usually repair on their own.

Is tongue damage permanent? ›

Though most of these injuries are temporary in nature, and after eight weeks most tend to heal on their own, in some cases the damage can be permanent.

How long does tongue nerve damage take to heal? ›

Since a lingual nerve injury affects speaking and tasting, it can affect your daily life. The good news is that a majority of lingual nerve injuries are temporary. After eight weeks, approximately 90 percent of the injuries heal on their own.

Do tongues heal naturally? ›

But rest assured, most tongue injuries will heal on their own. Just be sure to maintain good oral hygiene; avoid any spicy, acidic or irritating foods and drinks; and soothe your tongue with cold food and drink.

Can the tongue repair itself? ›

Most cuts on the tongue or palate heal on their own and do not need stitches, unless they are very large or don't stop bleeding on their own. Cuts on the inside of the lip don't usually need stitches. If you have a cut on the outside of your lip, you may need stitches.

Can you reverse tongue splitting? ›

Fortunately, it is not very difficult to reverse the divide. It can be done as an outpatient surgeon do this procedure since there is more potential for asymmetry than there was with the initial split. Operation while being given a local anesthetic.

Why is tongue splitting illegal? ›

Simply put, tongue splitting is mutilation of the human body, and because it can be a very painful and dangerous procedure and provides no medical benefit, a person should not be allowed to split another person's tongue.

Can a released tongue tie grow back? ›

Tongue ties don't “grow back”, but they may reattach if you aren't diligent about keeping up with post-surgery exercises.

Can your tongue heal from a cut? ›

Most cuts on the tongue or palate heal on their own and do not need stitches, unless they are very large or don't stop bleeding on their own. Cuts on the inside of the lip don't usually need stitches. If you have a cut on the outside of your lip, you may need stitches.

Can your tongue grow back after piercing? ›

Piercing sources here in Columbia tell me that the tongue piercing does produce permanent changes in the tongue, but that the hole will definitely close up and does so relatively quickly. The new tissue will be scar tissue but will not be readily noticeable.

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