Gums are delicate soft tissues that can easily suffer from cuts. These are more common in people who participate in sports or are prone to falls. Although cuts on gums are rare and don’t occur every day, they can still happen. Hence, knowing how to manage this at home is important for quick healing and to prevent infections.
If your gums are cut and you are wondering what to do next, this guide is for you. Let’s learn more about what you should do until you seek medical help.
When Can You Get Cut on Gums?
You can get cuts or injuries inside your mouth for different reasons. These include:
- A fall.
- Sports injury.
- Sharp objects are placed in the mouth.
It is also possible to get cuts on your teeth due to improper flossing, hard-bristled toothbrushes, or sharp objects, including toothpicks.
How to Identify Cut on Gums?
A cut on gums may be difficult to identify until it shows symptoms. The most common symptom of a cut inside the mouth is bleeding. If you have a cut on your gums, you will likely bleed a lot from that area. Since gums have an extensive blood supply, any minor cut can lead to bleeding.
In addition to bleeding, you may also notice a change in the appearance of your gums. This includes changes in color and texture. A cut on the gums can initially cause redness and swelling. As the wound begins to heal, the color may change to white.
Other symptoms include:
- Worsening pain in the mouth.
- Increased swelling in the affected area.
- Pus coming out of the cut.
- Fever.
- Chills.
How to Manage Cut on Gums at Home?
If your gums are cut, knowing how to manage them can help you in preventing serious consequences. A cut should not be taken lightly or avoided for a long time as it can quickly lead to oral infection or even tooth damage. It is important to consult a dentist at this point to avoid this from happening.
While minor cuts can be managed at home, severe cuts and infections require immediate medical attention. If you notice signs of infection, seek gum disease treatment as soon as possible to avoid further consequences.
While you visit the dentist, some simple at-home tips can help in managing the condition. These include:
1. Rinsing Your Mouth Immediately
A cut on the gums can immediately lead to infection due to the presence of bacteria in your mouth. If this occurs, infection is harder to manage and causes other health complications. To prevent this from happening, rinse your mouth immediately with salt water. Rinsing with salt water will cause a little burning sensation but it will help in killing the bacteria and keeping your mouth clean.
To make a saltwater rinse, combine 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water. Rinse with this prepared solution for several seconds and repeat throughout the day, especially after meals.
2. Applying Pressure to Stop the Bleeding
Since gums are made of soft tissues, they are prone to extensive bleeding. For many people, the taste or sight of blood can be alarming. However, it’s important to remain calm in such situations. After rinsing your mouth, apply pressure to the cut with gauze to help stop the bleeding.
If you do not have gauze, use a clean cloth or paper towel and press to your gums for 5-10 minutes. Once the bleeding is stopped, rinse your mouth with cool water to prevent any debris from sticking to the mouth.
3. Icing the Affected Area
Once the bleeding has stopped and the mouth has been sanitized, you may notice pain and swelling. Placing a cold press on the area can help reduce the swelling. If you do not have a cold compress, run a soft cloth under cool water and apply it to the affected area for up to 20 minutes.
4. Modifying Your Diet
Cutting on gums can be painful and making changes to your diet can allow the gums to heal. Make sure that you eat only soft foods during the recovery period and avoid anything spicy, hot, or citrus-based. In addition, sucking on ice cubes or popsicles may also help in soothing the swelling.
5. Visit a Dentist
Get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible to check whether your pain and bleeding has stopped. The dentist will conduct a thorough examination to identify the cause of the cut and perform a necessary procedure to restore your gum health.
Takeaway
Cutting on gums may be caused by a variety of reasons, including falls, sports injuries, or sharp objects in the mouth. Most cuts on gums are minor and resolve on their own with home care. If you notice other symptoms along with the cut, including bleeding, pus, pain, and fever, consult a dentist at the earliest to avoid infection.
Get Your Gums Examined at Osseo Family Dental!
Whether you’re suffering from cuts on your gums or wish to get your oral health examined, visit our experts at Osseo Family Dental to resolve your dental issues.
Schedule an appointment with us today!
Contact us at (763) 425-2626.
Alternatively, you can visit us at 30 Central Ave, Osseo, MN 55369.