Soft Tissues Injuries in the Mouth
Soft Tissues Injuries in the Mouth Belmont WA
The soft tissues in the mouth, which include the tongue, cheeks, gums, and lips are delicate, and when they are injured it can be very painful.
Soft tissues can be injured when you accidentally bite down on them, if you fall, are in an accident, or if you put extremely hot food in your mouth.
Chewing on hard objects can also damage the soft tissues in the mouth.
Symptoms of Soft Tissue Injuries
The main symptom is persistent, throbbing pain in the affected area. At first, the tooth will be very sensitive to heat and bite pressure. Later on, you may experience a fever.
Lymph nodes underneath the jaw or in the neck can be tender, and you may feel pain in the sinus area. If an abscess bursts, a sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting fluid can spill into the mouth.
Types of Soft Tissues Injuries
Soft tissues injuries could be:
- Cuts
- Bruises
- Lacerations
- Punctures
These injuries can be caused by:
- Sports accidents
- Work-related accidents
- Vehicular accidents
- Biting down too hard
- Sharp and/or hard food
What to do
In case of soft tissues injuries, follow these steps:
- Remove all foreign debris by rinsing your mouth thoroughly. Use a saltwater solution or an antiseptic mouthwash. For the saline solution, dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of lukewarm water. Use this to rinse your mouth several times.
- Apply direct pressure on the injured area by pressing a clean absorbent material to the area for 10-15 minutes to control bleeding.
- To reduce swelling, apply a cold compress on the cheek against the affected area.
- Call and visit your Belmont WA dentist immediately.
The soft tissues may bleed copiously for a few minutes after an injury. This decreases and stops after administering proper first aid steps. However, if the bleeding continues, this could mean a more serious injury to your soft tissues.
Soft Tissues Injuries in the Mouth Treatment in Belmont WA
Upon visiting your Belmont WA dentist, an examination of the damage is performed. Sometimes, the dentist needs to stitch the wound to close it. But in most cases, your dentist will only have to clean the affected area, making sure there is no foreign debris left, to avoid infection.
In case of an emergency, like a soft tissue injury in your mouth, call your Belmont WA dentist right away.
Same Day Dental Emergency Appointment Available in Belmont WA
For soft tissue injuries in the mouth treatment in Belmont WA, schedule your appointment immediately. Please contact us today at (08) 9478 2349.
We are located at 5/132 Epsom Ave in Belmont WA.