Oral injury in children

Small openings and abrasions in the mouth will heal completely in 3 or 4 days, twice as fast as skin lesions. Cuts to the tongue and inside of the cheeks caused by accidentally biting while eating are the most common mouth injuries. Lacerations in the flesh between the upper lip and gums are also quite common. This cut may look bad at first glance and cause a lot of bleeding until the bleeding stops, but it won't leave any serious damage. Likely serious injuries to the mouth include wounds to the tonsils, palate, or throat.

What are the signs and symptoms of an oral injury?

When you have a mouth injury, you may see the following signs:

Tooth damage: Teeth can be cracked, chipped, shaken, dislodged, or fall off. You may feel sharp or rough edges protruding from the teeth;

Bleeding or bruising: Lips may also show bruises or cracks. Bleeding gums or other soft tissues inside the mouth;

Broken jaw: immobile jaw or mouth due to broken jaw;

Teeth mismatch: Teeth may not match when the jaws are closed.

What should you do when you have a mouth injury?

Home care for oral injuries

Stop bleeding by holding the wound on the tooth or jaw for 10 minutes. When there is bleeding from your tongue, compress the wound with a sterile gauze pad or a clean cloth.

Do not lift your hand from the wound for 10 minutes. Once the inside of your upper lip has stopped bleeding, don't pull your lips up to check it because each time it will cause your lips to continue bleeding.

Pain relief

The wound can hurt your baby for 1 or 2 days. Try to apply ice as often as possible. If your baby feels pain while sleeping, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Give your baby soft foods for about a day or two. Avoid any foods that taste salty or sour so that they won't sting. To avoid getting food in the wound, rinse your mouth immediately after eating.

Go to the nearest medical facility if:

Bleeding does not stop 10 minutes after applying pressure;

Deep cuts or tears need to be sewn again;

The wound is on the back of the throat;

The child is in severe pain;

You think your baby needs to see a doctor.

You should see a doctor afterwards if:

The wound becomes infected, especially pain and swelling after 48 hours;

Fever;

You feel your baby's condition is getting worse.

Prevent

How can I avoid oral injuries for adults and children?

Stop by teaching your baby not to run or play with sharp edges in his mouth.

Get regular dental check-ups. If the gums and teeth are healthy, the wound is likely to recover more quickly from injury.

Use seat belts to prevent or reduce mouth injury if a driving accident occurs. Always keep your baby in a baby seat to avoid injury.

Wear protective teeth pads while playing sports. You can find them at your dental office or at a sporting goods store.

Wear a helmet and face shield when playing sports that are prone to face, mouth and head injury.

If you wear an orthodontic device, such as a brace, follow your dentist's instructions for proper use and care. Learn thoroughly about the orthodontic devices.

Don't eat foods that are too hard, chewy, crunchy, or sticky.

Don't pull the braces.

Preservation of dental tools provided by the dentist.

If you have braces, consult with your dentist if a mouth guard is needed.