Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services or go to an emergency department for:
Trouble breathing or a feeling that your airway is narrowing
Rapidly increasing tongue or floor-of-mouth swelling
Heavy bleeding that does not stop with pressure
Fainting, severe weakness, or choking on blood
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact your healthcare team promptly for worsening pain, increasing swelling, fever, pus or a bad-tasting discharge, difficulty drinking enough fluid, or a wound that opens.
Also call if numbness persists longer than the team told you to expect.
Seek urgent advice if bleeding continues despite firm, uninterrupted pressure or repeatedly fills your mouth.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Routine questions about stitches, diet, pathology timing, or a follow-up appointment can be handled during normal clinic hours.
The article also says
For bleeding, follow the pressure instructions provided by the facility.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Tongue biopsy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.