If I stab my gums or the roof of my mouth while eating, is that a dental emergency?

Q: If I stab my gums or the roof of my mouth while eating, is that a dental emergency?

An injury to a person’s gums or the roof of their mouth from sharp or jagged foods can be painful and unnerving. However, not every oral injury rises to “emergency” status. Small punctures or cuts from jagged foods — like tortilla chips, crusty bread, or hard candy — tend to heal on their own with time and caution. That said, it never hurts to be vigilant. Avoiding Infection If you get a small cut inside your mouth, there are some steps we recommend to ensure quick, hassle-free healing: Rinse with warm salt water to fight bacteria and clean the wound. Avoid excessively spicy or acidic foods and beverages, as well as potentially jagged foods that could irritate or aggravate the injury. Take over-the-counter pain medication in the event of lingering pain or tenderness. However, it’s important to note that if a deep cut persists in bleeding after 10-15 minutes of gentle pressure with gauze, the area begins to swell, or the pain worsens and spreads (possibly indicating infection), you should seek emergency care immediately! Finding the Best Emergency Dentist in Glendale, CA If you’re in Glendale and looking for an empathetic emergency dentist for immediate care or just want to be prepared in the event of an unpleasant surprise this holiday season, contact the outstanding team at Lucio H. Kim, DDS, to schedule a consultation!

Question

Accepted Answer

An injury to a person&rsquo;s gums or the roof of their mouth from sharp or jagged foods can be painful and unnerving. However, not every oral injury rises to &ldquo;emergency&rdquo; status. Small punctures or cuts from jagged foods &mdash; like tortilla chips, crusty bread, or hard candy  &mdash; tend to heal on their own with time and caution. That said, it never hurts to be vigilant.

Avoiding Infection

If you get a small cut inside your mouth, there are some steps we recommend to ensure quick, hassle-free healing:


	Rinse with warm salt water to fight bacteria and clean the wound.
	Avoid excessively spicy or acidic foods and beverages, as well as potentially jagged foods that could irritate or aggravate the injury.
	Take over-the-counter pain medication in the event of lingering pain or tenderness.


However, it&rsquo;s important to note that if a deep cut persists in bleeding after 10-15 minutes of gentle pressure with gauze, the area begins to swell, or the pain worsens and spreads (possibly indicating infection), you should seek emergency care immediately!

Finding the Best Emergency Dentist in Glendale, CA

If you&rsquo;re in Glendale and looking for an empathetic emergency dentist for immediate care or just want to be prepared in the event of an unpleasant surprise this holiday season, contact the outstanding team at Lucio H. Kim, DDS, to schedule a consultation!