Avoid heavy brushing or flossing around the affected area, as well as alcohol-based mouthwashes, which can cause stinging. The same applies to acidic, spicy, crunchy, or excessively salty foods. If you wear braces, get some orthodontic wax from the pharmacy and apply it over any brackets or wires near the cut. This will help prevent the reopening of the wound. If you are unable to stop the bleeding or the injury is clearly severe, you need to seek the appropriate medical care.
Deep lacerations and heavy bleeding should be treated at the nearest emergency room. Call if you are feeling lightheaded or clammy, or have a rapid pulse and respiration. Dental emergencies should be treated at a dental clinic. In an emergency room situation, priority will be placed on stopping the immediate bleeding. In some cases, stitches may be used. The stitches may either be dissolvable or will need to be removed in five days or so.
You will typically be given an oral antibiotic and a mild painkiller to aid in your recovery. If the laceration is deep, the doctor may order an X-ray or CT scan to establish the nature and extent of the injury.
If you were given a blood transfusion or experience any signs of shock, you may be kept in the hospital overnight for observation. If serious tooth damage also occurred, you will be referred to a dental surgeon for an appointment at a later date.
Be sure to ask the hospital staff for a copy of the X-rays to take with you. Very often, tooth injuries go hand-in-hand with serious cuts inside the mouth.
Some dental emergencies require immediate attention; others are more cosmetic and may be dealt with in a day or so. If a tooth is chipped , save any broken bits so that you can take them with you to the dentist as soon as possible.
Follow the home care tips above if there is any bleeding. If a tooth is partially dislodged, focus on controlling the bleeding first. You should then rush to the dentist as soon as possible to seek treatment. This may involve dental splinting, the repair of the socket, or the replacement of the tooth. If a dental crown falls off or a bridge is broken, see your dentist as soon as possible.
While you are waiting, replace the crown if you can with some denture glue or an over-the-counter dental cement. Do not use household glue. If a tooth is knocked out, hold the tooth by the crown the exposed part above the gum and rinse off the root if it is dirty. Do not scrub the tooth or remove excess tissue. If possible, reinsert the tooth into the socket. If it is not, gently stuff some gauze into the tooth gap to stave the bleeding.
Place the tooth in a container of milk, and rush to the dentist's office. Knocked-out teeth have the greatest chance of being saved if reinserted within an hour of the injury. Depending on the procedure used, the dentist may prescribe oral antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs like Advil ibuprofen or Aleve naproxen to aid in the recovery.
If dental stitches are used, you would be asked to avoid smoking, alcohol, or sipping through a straw while you heal. In addition to eating soft foods, you will need to follow strict instructions on how to care for your surgical dressings. Even though dental sutures typically dissolve on their own, you will still need to follow up with the dentist to assess how the wound is healing.
Even if you are able to stop the bleeding from a mouth injury, it is still a good idea to see a dentist if the cut is deep or the pain is making it difficult to eat or sleep. But if they are gaping open and food will get caught in them, they need stitches. Bruises, blisters, or swelling on the lips caused by injury may be treated by sucking on ice pops or ice cubes or by applying a cold pack to the area every 1 to 2 hours for 10 to 15 minutes for the first 24 hours.
Your child's healthcare provider will talk with you about treatment for cuts and wounds of the mouth that need more than minor treatment at home. In general, get your child quick medical care for cuts and wounds of the mouth that are:. Bleeding and don't stop after 10 to 15 minutes of direct pressure. If the bleeding is extreme, hold pressure for at least 10 minutes without stopping to look at the cut.
If the cloth becomes soaked with blood, put a new cloth on top of the old cloth. Don't lift the original cloth. Keep in mind that facial wounds often bleed heavily, even under normal circumstances. Extremely painful or if you think there may be a break fracture or head or bone injury. Showing signs of infection, such as increased warmth, redness, swelling, or fluid leaking. Your child hasn't had a tetanus shot in the past 5 years, or if you are unsure when your child's last tetanus shot was given.
Teach your child not to suck or chew on hard, sharp, or pointed objects, such as pencils. Search Encyclopedia.
Here is where it may be scarier than a little cut. Pay attention to your body and if any of the following are true, contact your doctor:. If your mouth wound is around a tooth and the tooth is loose or broken, call your dentist. While you are waiting to see your dentist, the ADA suggests cold compresses and rinses in the meantime for sores and mouth injuries.
If you've developed an injury from sports or other physical activities, a mouth guard could prevent your teeth from scraping your cheeks. Mouth guards provide a solid yet soft surface for your teeth. Your teeth can clench down on it instead of the inside of your mouth! They will also prevent you from biting your lips and accidentally breaking the skin. Mouth guards can be found in stores or customized for you by your dentist. By keeping your wound clean, you are letting your body focus on healing the wound.
If you are still concerned about the pain or swelling, call your doctor or dentist, and they can assess if you need further treatment. Until then, rinse with salt water or a mix of hydrogen peroxide and water, stop yourself from touching it and use cold compresses to help with any swelling or bruising.
With these tips, the injury is on its way to healing. This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Shop Now. Our Mission. Contact Us.
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