Prevention of tongue biting with a removable oral device: a clinical report.

A method of preventing tongue biting with a removal device has been described in this clinical report. Restraint of the tongue may be necessary to promote healing by preventing repetitive tongue biting or as a preventive measure after a surgery or an injury. Any device that is used to restrain the tongue should be removable to avoid prolonged interference with oral hygiene, swallowing, mastication, and speech. A removable device is desirable for long-term use by comatose or semicomatose patients.