Soft Tissue Injuries in the Mouth: First Aid and When to See a Dentist
The soft tissues of the mouth are the lips, cheeks, tongue, gums and the soft palate at the back of the roof of the mouth. They are easy to hurt: a fall, a ball to the face, a bite into your own cheek or a sip of a drink that is too hot can all injure them. Most minor injuries heal on their own within days, but some need a dentist or a doctor. This guide covers the most common injuries, first aid at home and the signs that mean you should get care.
Top-6 most common soft tissue injuries in the mouth
Soft tissue injuries in the mouth are common and can happen in accidents, sports, falls or simply by biting the inside of your cheek or lip.
- Cuts and lacerations. Among the most common mouth injuries. They can come from sports, falls, car accidents or accidentally biting the inside of your mouth. Depending on how deep they are, some need stitches.
- Burns. Usually from hot food or drinks. Mild burns heal on their own; severe burns may need medical treatment.
- Abrasions. Scrapes from rubbing or scraping, often caused by braces, dentures that don't fit well, or brushing too hard.
- Puncture wounds. Usually from a toothpick or a sharp piece of food such as a fish bone. They may not bleed much, but they can go deep and can become infected.
- Bruises and hematomas. Usually the result of a blow to the face. A hematoma is a collection of blood outside the blood vessels that can form when an impact causes bleeding within the soft tissue.
- Canker sores (aphthous ulcers). Not an injury as such, but common painful sores inside the mouth. Their exact cause is unknown; stress, hormonal changes, certain foods and minor tissue damage can trigger them.
Bruising on the soft palate
A bruise or a sore red or purple patch on the soft palate is often caused by a minor injury: very hot food or drink, a hard or sharp food such as a chip or crust, or an object such as a straw, fork or toothbrush pressing on the roof of the mouth. This kind of bruise usually fades over several days to two weeks as the tissue heals.
See a dentist or doctor if the mark doesn't improve within about two weeks, if it keeps coming back, if you don't know what caused it, or if you also have unexplained bruising elsewhere, bleeding gums, fever or trouble swallowing. These can be signs of something other than a simple injury and need an examination.
First aid for a mouth injury
- Rinse gently with clean, warm water to see the injury and wash away debris.
- Stop the bleeding by pressing a clean, damp gauze pad or cloth firmly on the area for 10 to 15 minutes. The mouth has a rich blood supply, so even a small cut can bleed a lot at first.
- Reduce swelling with a cold compress held on the outside of the cheek or lip, about 10 minutes at a time.
- Check your teeth. If a tooth is broken, loose or knocked out, call a dentist right away.
- Keep it clean while it heals. Avoid very hot, spicy, salty or sharp foods for a few days, and brush gently around the area.
How do you treat soft tissue mouth injuries?
Many minor cuts, burns and abrasions heal by themselves with good home care. Even so, a dentist can check how deep an injury is, clean it properly, close a wound when needed, look for damage to the teeth and jaw, and tell you how to help it heal. Even minor injuries benefit from a professional look if they are not healing as expected.
Regular checkups can help prevent some soft tissue injuries. Abrasions often come from braces or dentures that don't fit well, and a checkup is a chance to make sure dental appliances fit correctly. If you play sports, ask your dentist about a mouthguard to protect your teeth, lips and cheeks.
When to see a dentist or go to the ER
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if bleeding doesn't slow after 15 minutes of firm pressure, if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, if swelling is spreading quickly, or if the injury came with a head injury or a possible broken jaw.
Call a dentist promptly if:
- a cut is deep, gaping or longer than about half an inch
- a tooth is broken, loose or knocked out
- the area shows signs of infection: increasing pain, swelling, pus or fever
- a puncture wound came from a dirty object
- a sore or bruise hasn't healed in about two weeks
At Dentist on Madison in Midtown Manhattan, we provide emergency dental care during office hours for injuries, broken teeth, toothaches and swelling. Call us at (646) 540-9095 and tell us what happened.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a cut inside the mouth take to heal?
The mouth heals quickly. Minor cuts and scrapes usually heal within a few days to two weeks. Deeper wounds, or wounds that needed stitches, can take longer. If a cut isn't improving, or it gets more painful or swollen, see a dentist.
Should I rinse with salt water?
Gentle rinses with warm salt water (about half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) can help keep a minor mouth wound clean while it heals. Don't rinse forcefully right after an injury, while it's still bleeding.
What if my child hurt their mouth?
Children often injure their lips and tongue in falls. Use the same first aid, then look at the teeth. Call a dentist if a tooth is chipped, loose, pushed out of place or knocked out, and seek emergency care for the warning signs above.
*This article is general information, not a diagnosis or medical advice. If you have been injured, contact a dentist or doctor.*
Sources
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy: Dental emergencies
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy: Canker sores
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy: Mouthguards