Soft Tissues Injuries in the Mouth
Soft Tissues Injuries in the Mouth Leichhardt
The soft tissues in the mouth, like the tongue, cheeks, gums and lips are very delicate and sensitive, and when injured, they can be very painful.
Your soft tissues can be injured when you unknowingly bite down on them when you fall, are in an accident, or if you eat food that is too hot or too hard.
Causes of Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are most commonly caused by gum disease. It occurs when your body tries to get rid of the bacteria that causes an infection in the gums.
Over time, this can result in severe damage to the gums, bone, and the other supporting structures of the teeth.
Symptoms of Soft Tissue Injuries
The main symptom is having persistent, throbbing pain.
At first, the tooth will be very sensitive to extreme temperatures and bite pressure. Later on, you may experience a fever.
The lymph nodes underneath the jaw or in the neck can be tender, and you may feel pain in the sinus area.
If an abscess explodes, 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 the following:
- Cuts
- Bruises
- Lacerations
- Punctures
These injuries can be caused by circumstances such as:
- Sports-related trauma
- Work-related accidents
- Vehicular accidents
- Biting down too hard
- Sharp and/or hard food
What to do
Follow these steps in case of soft tissue injuries:
- Rinse your mouth well. Use a saltwater solution or an antiseptic mouthwash. For the saltwater solution, dilute 1/2 teaspoon of salt on eight ounces of water.
- Apply gentle pressure on the injured area by pressing a clean absorbent material for 10-15 minutes to control bleeding.
- To reduce any swelling, apply pressure with a cold compress on the cheek against the affected area.
- Visit your Leichhardt dentist right away.
The soft tissues may bleed heavily for a few minutes after the injury. This decreases and stops after doing proper first aid steps.
However, if the bleeding still continues, this could mean a more severe injury to your soft tissues.
Soft Tissues Injuries in the Mouth Treatment in Leichhardt
Upon visiting your Leichhardt dentist, an examination of the damage is done. Sometimes, your dentist may need to stitch the wound to close it.
But in most cases, your Leichhardt dentist will only have to clean the area, making sure there is no foreign debris left, to avoid infection.
In case of an emergency, call your Leichhardt dentist right away.
Same-Day Dental Emergency Appointment Available in Leichhardt
Request an appointment with your dentist in Leichhardt today.
Call us on (02) 9171 0840 or request your appointment online.
We are located at Shop 48, Leichhardt Marketplace Shopping Centre, 122-138 Flood Street in Leichhardt.
