A child biting their tongue may be related to dental malformations, enlarged tongue, or other reasons, and may also be caused by internal heat. Here are some possible causes:

1. Dental Malformations

In normal individuals, the upper teeth wrap around the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. During chewing, the upper dental arch protects the tongue from harm. However, when the upper dental arch is narrow, it can lead to crowded teeth and misaligned bites, making it easy to bite the tongue while chewing. In this case, taking the child to the dentist for examination and correction with braces is generally recommended. The main causes of dental malformations in children include chronic nasal congestion, tonsillitis, tooth decay, habits such as sticking out the tongue or biting the lower lip, and incorrect breastfeeding posture.

2. Enlarged Tongue

When the tongue is enlarged, it is more susceptible to injury during chewing. Parents can ask their child to stick out their tongue and observe if there are signs of a swollen tongue, tooth marks on the edges of the tongue, or thick and greasy tongue coating. These symptoms are often caused by a weak spleen and stomach. Children with enlarged tongues may also drool while sleeping, have poor mental states, and feel constantly tired and sleepy. To address this, it is recommended to reduce the intake of sugary drinks and foods, as these can lead to excessive stomach acid and harm the spleen and stomach. Instead, it is advisable to drink more millet porridge and eat more yam, which have the effect of strengthening the spleen and stomach.

3. Internal Heat

"Internal heat" is a colloquial term in Chinese medicine, manifesting as symptoms such as sore throat, mouth ulcers, and dry eyes. When a person has internal heat, their sensory nerves may become less responsive, and toothache due to swollen gums can cause pain during tooth closure, leading to frequent biting of the tongue while chewing. The most effective way to alleviate internal heat is to drink plenty of plain water. For children who do not like to drink water, parents can prepare drinks such as white radish and honey water, apple water, or pear water for them.