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Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Spanish version
Mouth Trauma
DESCRIPTION
Small cuts and scrapes inside the mouth heal up beautifully
in 3 or 4 days. Infections of mouth injuries are rare.
You'll have difficulty finding where the injury was in a few
weeks. Cuts of the tongue and insides of the cheeks are
usually due to accidentally biting oneself during eating.
Cuts and bruises of the lips are usually due to falls. A
tear of the piece of tissue connecting the upper lip to the
gum is very common. It can look terrible and bleed a lot
until pressure is applied, but it is harmless.
The potentially serious mouth injuries are those to the
tonsil, soft palate, or back of the throat (as from falling
with a pencil in the mouth). Prevent these injuries by
teaching your child not to run or play with any long object
in the mouth. Cuts in the mouth usually don't require
stitches except for loose flaps of tissue or gaping wounds
of the tongue.
HOME CARE
- Stop any bleeding
Press the bleeding site against the teeth or jaw for
10 minutes. For bleeding from the tongue, squeeze the
bleeding site with a sterile gauze. Once bleeding from
inside the lip stops, don't pull the lip out again to
look at it. Every time you do, the bleeding will start
again.
- Pain relief
Put a piece of ice or Popsicle on the area that was
injured as often as necessary. If there is pain, give
acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Don't give aspirin because
it may prolong the bleeding. For a day or so, offer
your child a soft diet. Avoid any salty or citrus foods
that might sting. Keep food out of the wound by rinsing
the area well with warm water immediately after meals.
CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF:
- There is a cut that is deep or gaping.
- The injury is to the back of the throat, tonsil, or soft
palate.
CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN DURING OFFICE HOURS IF:
- The area looks infected, especially if the pain or
swelling increases after 48 hours. (Note: Any healing
wound in the mouth is normally white for several days.)
- A fever (over 100 degrees F, or 37.8 degrees C) occurs.
- You have other concerns or questions.
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