What is the treatment for an infected cut in the mouth? Learn the types of mouth injuries, when to seek medical attention, and how to care for minor mouth injuries at home.

Types of Mouth Injuries

Mouth injuries can occur in various parts of the mouth, including the tongue, upper and lower lips, inner cheeks, and the roof of the mouth (hard and soft palate). The front of the mouth, including the tongue, and the back of the mouth, including the tonsils and throat, can be affected.

The most common mouth injury is a cut or bite on the tongue or inside the cheeks, usually due to accidentally biting them during eating. Bites of the tongue rarely need sutures, and even if the cuts gape open a little, they usually heal quickly. If the edges come together when the tongue is still, no treatment is necessary.

Cuts and bruises of the upper lip are often caused by falls, and a tear of the upper frenulum (the piece of tissue joining the upper lip to the gum) is very common. These types of injuries always heal without sutures, but they may rebleed each time the lip is pulled out to inspect it.

Cuts of the lower lip are usually caused by the teeth, occurring when the lip is caught between the upper and lower teeth during a fall. Most of these cuts do not connect (do not go through the lip) and do not need sutures unless the outer cut is gaping.

Serious injuries, such as those to the tonsil, soft palate, or back of the throat, can be caused by falling with a pencil or toothbrush in the mouth. Puncture wounds in these areas can lead to a deep space infection in the neck.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 immediately if there is major bleeding that cannot be stopped, trouble breathing, or if you think your child has a life-threatening emergency.

Seek medical attention as soon as possible if there is a gaping cut of the tongue or inside the mouth that may need stitches, no past tetanus shots, a gaping cut of the lip that may need stitches, severe pain that is not improving with pain medication, trouble swallowing fluids or spit, or an inability to fully open or close the mouth. Also, seek care if your child is under 1 year old, has a fever, or if the mouth looks infected with increasing pain or swelling after 48 hours.

Contact your doctor within 24 hours if the mouth looks infected but there is no fever, if there is a clean cut and no tetanus shot in more than 10 years, or if you think your child needs to be seen but the problem is not urgent.

Home Care for Minor Mouth Injuries

For minor mouth injuries, such as upper lip or frenulum bleeding, lower lip bleeding, or tongue bleeding, you can attempt to stop the bleeding at home.

For upper lip or frenulum bleeding, press the outer lip against the teeth for 10 minutes to stop the bleeding. Caution: Once the bleeding has stopped, do not pull the lip out to look at it, as the bleeding will start again.

For lower lip bleeding, press the outer lip against the teeth for 10 minutes to stop the bleeding.

For tongue bleeding, try to press on the bleeding site with a sterile gauze or clean cloth for 5 minutes if practical. Tongue cuts normally ooze a little blood for several hours due to the rich blood supply in the mouth.

Preventing Mouth Injuries

To help prevent mouth injuries, supervise young children closely during activities that may involve objects in the mouth, such as eating, playing, or using tools like pencils or toothbrushes. Encourage safe play and teach children to be cautious when engaging in activities that could lead to falls or collisions.

Seeking Professional Treatment

If home care is not effective or the injury appears serious, it is important to seek professional medical attention. A healthcare provider can assess the extent of the injury, determine if stitches or other treatment is needed, and provide guidance on proper care and follow-up.

Complications and Infection

While most mouth injuries heal quickly, there is a risk of complications, such as infection. Signs of infection include increasing pain, swelling, and redness after the first 48 hours. Seek medical attention if these symptoms develop, as the infection may require antibiotic treatment.

Serious injuries to the tonsil, soft palate, or back of the throat can lead to deep space infections in the neck, which require prompt medical treatment to prevent further complications.