1. Definition
What is oral trauma?
Small cuts and scrapes inside the mouth usually heal within 3 or 4 days, twice as fast as skin injuries. Infections in the oral cavity are rare. You will have a hard time finding the wound in a few weeks. Injuries to the tongue and inside of the cheeks due to accidental bites during eating are the most common mouth sores. Sores and bruises on the lips usually occur from falls. Tears of the tissue that connects the upper lip to the gums are common. This can look bad and bleed a lot until pressure is applied, but it is not dangerous. Oral sores that are potentially serious are the tonsils, soft palate, or back of the throat (such as falling while a pencil is in the mouth).
What are the signs and symptoms?
- Tooth decay: You may have teeth that are cracked, stuck out of place, or missing. You may feel the edges of your teeth are sharp or rough.
- Bleeding or bruising: You may have bruises or sores on your lips and face. Your gums or other soft tissue in your mouth may bleed.
- Facial fractures: You may not be able to move your jaw or mouth because the bones in your face are fractured.
- Changes to teeth: Your teeth may not join properly when you close your mouth.
2. How to fix it
What should I do?
Home Oral Trauma Treatment
Stop bleeding by pressing the bleeding area on the tooth or jaw for 10 minutes. For bleeding on the tongue, press the bleeding area with gauze or a clean cloth.
Don't release the pressure if it's not been 10 minutes. When the bleeding from the inside of the upper lip stops, do not pull on the lip to see how it is. If you do, the bleeding will start again.
Pain Relief
The area may be sore for 1 or 2 days. Apply ice as often as needed. If you experience pain during bedtime, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. For a day or so, eat soft foods. Avoid salty or sour foods, as they will sting. Keep food scraps away from the wound by cleaning the area with water immediately after eating.
When should I see a doctor?
Go to the doctor immediately if:
- Bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of pressure
- There is a deep wound and may require a link
- The injury occurs to the back of the throat
- The wound that results from falling when there is a long object in the mouth
- Severe pain
Also call your doctor if:
- You feel the area has become infected, especially if there is increased pain or swelling after 48 hours (keep in mind that healing sores are normally whitish for a few days)
- There is fever
- You feel your condition is getting worse
3. Prevention
Prevent this by teaching your child not to run or play with long objects in the mouth.
- Get regular dental checkups. When your gums and teeth are healthy, you are likely to recover from injury quickly.
- Use a seat belt to prevent or reduce mouth injury in motor vehicle accidents. Always sit your child on a child-only car seat to prevent injury.
- Use a mouth guard during exercise. A mouth guard can be made by a dentist or purchased at a sporting goods store.
- Use a helmet and face shield during sports where face, mouth or head injury can occur.
- Remove the head protector and wear a mouth guard when exercising.
- Remove the head protection before engaging in rough play.
- Don't eat foods that are hard, hard to chew, dry, or sticky.
- Don't pull on your braces.
- Use gentle orthodontics to protect the inside of your mouth from the wire.
- If you have seizures or other medical problems that can increase your risk of falling, ask your doctor about recommendations for wearing a helmet and face shield to protect your head and mouth.
