Traumatized Oral Tissues Might Need First-Aid and Professional Treatment

Your mouth is just as vulnerable to trauma as any other part of your body. While there are certain things you can do to prevent oral injury, you can never completely prevent trauma to your teeth, gums, cheek, lips or other oral structures.

If you or someone near you has recently suffered a significant oral trauma, you might need to apply some basic first-aid measures while you seek treatment from a dental professional, such as our dentist, Dr. Pallavi Rakesh.

First, take a moment to assess the traumatized structures. You can gently rinse with lukewarm salt water to help clear away any blood or stray material from inside your mouth. You can also use a damp, warm washcloth to gently wipe dried blood from the lips or chin.  

If the traumatized area is bleeding excessively, the best course of action is to visit the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility. In the interim, apply some sterile gauze to the wound and apply slight pressure to help control the bleeding.

Early signs of swelling can be addressed by applying a cold compress to the area for up to 20 minutes at a time. If you don’t have a cold compress on hand, you can improvise by placing crushed ice in a plastic bag and wrapping it in a washcloth or tea towel. You can also use a bag of frozen vegetables.

While waiting for professional treatment, you can take a standard dose of an anti-inflammatory medication or gently rub a small amount of topical oral analgesic on the local tissues to help minimize the pain.  

If you live in the Alpharetta, Georgia, area, and if you have suffered soft tissue oral trauma that requires treatment, you can call 678-562-1555 to schedule an appointment at Ace Dentistry Family Dental & Cosmetic Dentist.