MOUTH INJURY

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

Injury Definition

• Injuries to the lip, flap under the upper lip (frenulum), tongue, inner cheeks, floor of the mouth, roof of the mouth (hard and soft palate), or back of the mouth (tonsils and throat).

Types of Mouth Injuries

• Cuts of the tongue or inside of the cheeks (due to accidentally biting them during eating) are the most common mouth injury.
• Cuts and bruises of the upper lip are usually due to falls.  A tear of the piece of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum is very common and always heals without sutures.
• Cuts of the lower lip are usually caused by catching it between the upper and lower teeth during a fall.  Most of these cuts do not connect (don't go through the lip).
• 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).

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• Main injury is to teeth, see TOOTH INJURY.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Pediatric SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 7/2004

See Other Topics:

• Tooth Injury

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