What are the symptoms of a bite inside your mouth? How can you treat a bitten lip at home? When should you call a doctor for a mouth injury? Get all the answers here.

Causes and Symptoms of a Bite Inside the Mouth

Biting the inside of your lip can be a painful experience, often happening accidentally, especially in children. There are several common reasons why you might bite the inside of your lip:

• While eating or talking
• During a fall, collision, or other accident
• While playing sports
• During a seizure
• Due to stress

When you bite the inside of your lip, your teeth press against your skin, causing pain. This is because your lips have many nerve endings, making them very sensitive. Additionally, if the bite punctures your skin, you may experience significant bleeding due to the rich blood supply in your lips.

Other possible symptoms of a bitten lip include:

• Swelling
• Redness
• Sensitivity

Depending on the force of the bite, it can also cause injuries like cuts, bumps, canker sores, or a mucocele (a mucus-filled cyst).

Treating a Bite Inside the Mouth at Home

For a minor bite inside your mouth, you can typically treat it at home with self-care measures. Here are the steps you can take:

1. Rinse your mouth with cool water or a saltwater solution to clean the area.
2. Apply pressure with a clean gauze or cloth to stop any bleeding.
3. Suck on an ice cube or apply an ice pack to the area to reduce swelling and pain.
4. Take over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to alleviate discomfort.
5. Apply an antiseptic gel or ointment to the bite to prevent infection.

Other Common Mouth Injuries and Their Treatment

In addition to a bitten lip, there are other common mouth injuries that can be treated with similar home remedies. Let’s take a look at a couple of them:

Bitten Cheek or Tongue

A bitten cheek or tongue can occur during eating, playing sports, or due to a fall or collision. It can also be caused by misaligned teeth, where the upper teeth can accidentally bite the cheek, and the lower teeth can bite the tongue.

Symptoms of a bitten cheek or tongue include pain, redness, swelling, and bleeding at the site of the bite. To treat it, you can rinse your mouth with saltwater, apply an ice cube or suck on an ice cube for a tongue bite, and take over-the-counter pain relievers.

Canker Sores

A canker sore, or aphthous ulcer, is a small, red sore with a white center, usually with an oval or round shape. These sores can develop on the inner lips, cheeks, tongue, or gums, and can have various causes, such as mouth injuries, viral infections, stress, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, food allergies, or hormonal changes.

Treatments for canker sores include rinsing with saltwater, using an antiseptic mouth rinse, applying an ice cube, taking pain relievers, and applying a topical oral pain medication.

When to Seek Medical Attention for a Mouth Injury

In most cases, minor mouth injuries like a bite don’t require medical attention. However, you should call a doctor if you or your child experience any of the following symptoms:

• A deep or large wound (longer than 1/2 inch)
• A cut that goes through the lip
• Debris stuck in the wound
• Bleeding that won’t stop
• Severe or worsening pain
• Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
• Signs of infection

Additionally, if the injury is due to a serious accident, such as a motor vehicle collision or a major fall, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.

Preventing Future Mouth Injuries

To avoid biting the inside of your mouth in the future, try to be mindful of your chewing and speaking habits. If you find yourself frequently biting the inside of your lip, it may be helpful to see a dentist to check for any misalignment or other issues that could be contributing to the problem.

Additionally, wearing a mouthguard during sports or other physical activities can help protect your mouth and prevent accidental bites.

Conclusion

Biting the inside of your lip is a common and often painful mouth injury, but it can typically be treated at home with simple self-care measures. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and appropriate treatment options, you can effectively manage a bitten lip and prevent future occurrences. Remember to seek medical attention if the injury is severe or accompanied by concerning symptoms.