When do mouth cuts need stitches

It always heals without sutures. However, it will rebleed every time you pull the lip out to look at it. Lower Lip. Cuts of the lower lip are usually caused by the teeth. They occur when catching the lip between the upper and lower teeth while falling. Most of these cuts do not connect don't go through the lip.

These do not need sutures unless the outer cut is gaping. Serious injuries are those to the tonsil, soft palate, or back of the throat. Examples of these injuries include falling with a pencil or toothbrush in the mouth. Puncture wounds here can cause a deep space infection in the neck. When to Call for Mouth Injury Call Now Major bleeding that can't be stopped Trouble breathing You think your child has a life-threatening emergency Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Gaping cut of tongue or inside the mouth that may need stitches Gaping cut of the lip that may need stitches Severe pain and not better 2 hours after taking pain medicine Trouble swallowing fluids or spit Can't fully open or close the mouth Age less than 1 year old Fever and mouth looks infected.

Signs are increasing pain or swelling after 48 hours. Note: it's normal for a healing wound in the mouth to be white. Rule 6: Wounds that are getting red, tender, or are draining need to be seen by a medical provider. But, check with your doc to be sure.

Rule 8: Sometimes staples or Dermabond human superglue substance can be used instead of stitches. But regardless of which method is used to close a wound, all wounds need to be kept clean. Rule 9: Stitches and staples need to be removed, but the length of time depends on the location of the injury. The person who places them will give you specific instructions for followup. Your child will do better with a calm parent at the helm!

Our practice follows the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding vaccinations. Please call the office to schedule an appointment. Back to Accidents, first aid and treatments. Find your nearest urgent care centre. You should also see a GP if you think the cut is not healing properly, or may be showing signs of infection. Common signs of infection include:. The cut may need to be cleaned or stitched, and you may be given antibiotics.

Bleeding from small cuts and grazes can be controlled by applying pressure to the cut using a clean, non-fluffy pad preferably a sterile dressing, if you have one. You should also raise the injured body part above the level of the heart so the bleeding slows down and stops.