Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: ...lets split up... on 19/11/2009 13:43:44

Title: Why do people bite their tongue?
Post by: ...lets split up... on 19/11/2009 13:43:44

I accidentally bite my tongue quite often, and sometimes really badly. My aunt told me quite cryptically before she left for London that there was a reason that people bite there tongues and i should try to find out. I've googled it but i can't seem to find anything.

Is there any interesting link between biting your tongue and lets say... eating canned beef, or plucking weeds, or doing body art with lead based paint?

Title: Why do people bite their tongue?
Post by: RD on 19/11/2009 15:11:53

Quote from: ...lets split up... on 19/11/2009 13:43:44

Is there any interesting link between biting your tongue and lets say... eating canned beef, or plucking weeds, or doing body art with lead based paint?

Theoretically all of the above could be sources of neurotoxins which could affect coordination ...

Quote

eating canned [food] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botulism#Prevention), or plucking weeds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_poisonous_plants), or doing body art with lead based paint (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead#Health_effects)?

Applying lead to ones body seems most unwise ...

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Exposure to lead and lead chemicals can occur through inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead#Exposure_pathways


Auntie may be referring to this old wives tale (http://www.sodahead.com/other/when-you-bite-your-tongue-does-it-really-mean-youve-told-a-lie/question-20032/).