I Have a Cut in My Mouth That Has Not Healed. What Should I Do?

Mouth trauma can happen to anyone. In fact, nearly all trauma occurs at the mouth or face, which means that there are a lot of people each year who get a mouth wound. If you have cut your mouth, here are some things you can do to help your mouth heal.

Treatment for Mouth Cuts

If you have a cut in your mouth, there are some things you can do to promote healing. First, you can rinse your mouth after eating with either hydrogen peroxide or a saltwater rinse. Both hydrogen peroxide rinses and saltwater rinses clean out the cut and allow it to heal. Second, if your mouth is bleeding, you will want to stop the bleeding. You can use gauze or ice to help the cut stop bleeding. Also, be sure to avoid touching the cut with your fingers or tongue because that slows down healing.

How Did My Mouth Get Cut?

The most common reason for a cut in your mouth is trauma. You may have mouth trauma if you fall, are involved in a car accident, get hit in the face by an object, or get an injury from a contact sport such as football, soccer, or basketball. You can also get mouth trauma if you bite your cheek while eating or use your mouth to open a can or bottle. Some of these mouth traumas are preventable by wearing a mouth guard or not using your teeth when a tool or device would be better.

When to Call the Dentist Immediately

While many mouth cuts are minor, some are more serious. If you have a large, deep, bleeding excessively, or extremely painful cut in your mouth, you need to call our office as soon as possible and describe your injury. We may need to stitch up the cut or give you treatment. Also, any time you experience tooth loss, you need to call our office as soon as possible. Are you not sure if you have an emergency with the cut in your mouth? Call us as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.