- Brushing and flossing too hard, chewing on hard objects, using teeth as tools, and many other reasons can cause gum injuries.
- Minor cuts on the gums often heal on their own, but larger or deeper cuts require immediate medical attention from a dentist.
- Dentists may close open wounds with sutures or prescribe antibiotic therapy to treat infections caused by cuts.
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Is the cut on your gums bleeding and causing you discomfort? Here is everything you need to know.
Causes of a cut on the gums near a tooth
The gums are among the softest tissues of the body. Due to their delicate nature, they are prone to injuries and cuts. The slightest abrasion can cause bleeding. Here are the incidents that can result in dental injuries, along with the factors that weaken gums.
Dental trauma
The factors causing dental trauma are countless. Brushing, flossing, eating, using a toothpick, or wearing a piercing can cut your gums.
Grinding teeth
Teeth grinding, although not a primary cause of gum cuts, can put excessive pressure on teeth and gums, weakening them. Weak teeth can chip near the gum line, causing damage to your gums. The physical trauma associated with grinding your teeth can also make your gums irritated or swollen.
Brushing or flossing teeth too hard
Brushing or flossing your teeth too forcefully can cause damage to your teeth and gums. Brush your teeth and gums gently in small, circular motions with your toothbrush. If you floss too hard, you can cause minor cuts in your gums, which can be quite painful.
Chewing on hard objects
Chewing on hard objects can cause gum injury or even break your teeth. Most people can get gum injuries from chewing on bones, hard candy, or protein bars. Food with sharp edges, such as tortilla chips, can also cut your gums.
Using teeth as a tool
Using your teeth to open packages or tear objects is dangerous to both your teeth and gums. Your teeth are meant for chewing, and using your teeth to open objects puts you at risk for getting a cut on your gums and causing further tooth and gum damage.
Biting your gums
Under normal conditions, you can hardly bite your gums. However, during the growth of wisdom teeth, this can happen. When your wisdom teeth come in, how your teeth come together when you chew or close your mouth can change, causing you to bite and cut your gums accidentally. This is to be expected and should resolve itself once your wisdom teeth have fully erupted or you have had them removed.
Accidents
Any incident that causes direct, physical, and forceful contact of the teeth and gums with an object can cause damage to the teeth and cuts to the gums.
Car accidents and playing sports with heavy physical contact are examples of instances where your teeth and gums can collide with another object and cause trauma.
Dental instruments
During your visit to the dentist, the gums are often exposed to the dental instruments. They assist the dentist in performing treatment procedures. However, dental instruments are often sharp and can damage the gums if not used properly.
An accident with a dental instrument can cause a cut on your gums. For example, an instrument slipping and hitting your gums can cause a cut. If you have a cut on your gums following your last dental visit, this may be the reason.
Periodontal disease
Periodontitis is a gum disease that can negatively impact your oral health. It is a disease of the gums, which support the teeth, and develops over time when the gums are chronically inflamed or infected.
Periodontitis can lead to gum swelling. In some cases, the gums may bleed. As a result, gums become vulnerable and more prone to cuts.
Vitamin deficiencies
A vitamin deficiency can negatively impact the health of your gums. Vitamin C, D, and B3 deficiencies directly affect the health of the gums. When your gums are not healthy, they are more prone to injuries and cuts in particular.
Canker sores
This is a dental disease characterized by a small, shallow sore forming at the base of the gum. This is also known as an aphthous ulcer. They are not contagious like cold sores, but they can be painful.
Canker sores can make eating quite a painful experience. Additionally, they weaken the gums and make them more prone to injury.
Braces, dentures, and mouthguards
Braces often cause swelling and pain right after their placement. That is because the mouth has to adjust to the presence of the braces and wires. They can also cause cuts in the gums and cheeks.
A dirty mouthguard, without proper care and hygiene, can affect your oral health. This leads to gum recession and infections. Such a condition makes gums more susceptible to gum cuts and other wounds. Dentures with long flanges can cause gum irritation.
Clinical treatments for cuts on the gums
Most cuts are relatively small and heal on their own.
Lee explains that ”The reason your gums can bounce back so well is a biological superpower: rapid cell turnover. The epithelial cells in your mouth are some of the fastest-replicating in your entire body. While your skin might take weeks to regenerate fully, studies in oral biology have shown that the lining of your gums can renew itself in as little as 4 to 14 days.”
He stresses that ”your body has an amazing capacity to heal, but your job is to give it a clean, protected space to work its magic.”
”For anything deep or that will not stop bleeding, however, stitches are the only way to give your body that head start,” Lee points out.
However, certain incidents can result in significant or deep cuts that leave a gap. They require immediate medical attention and require an emergency appointment. Only a medical professional can help you in this case.
Stitches
Your dentist can place stitches to close the open wounds. This can help stop bleeding and allow your gums to recover from deep cuts.
There are two types of stitches used in dentistry: resorbable and non-resorbable stitches. Resorbable stitches dissolve on their own and do not have to be removed by a dentist at a later time. Non-resorbable stitches do not dissolve on their own and require a follow-up appointment with your dentist in order for the stitches to be removed.
Your dentist will decide what type of stitches is best for you based on the size and extent of the cut.
Antibiotic therapy
You may need antibiotic therapy, depending on whether you have a large or deep cut. This is especially true if infections are caused by the cuts. In such a case, your doctor will prescribe you oral antibiotics as necessary.
Be sure to follow your dentist's instructions for taking antibiotics in order to promote proper healing.
How to heal a cut on the gums at home?
Below are the steps you can take to heal cut gums at home.
Proper oral hygiene
It is essential to brush and floss your teeth regularly to ensure your mouth is a clean environment for healing. Brush and floss gently while the cut is healing. Improper oral hygiene is a home for bacteria. This is true for the entire oral cavity, including the gums. Taking care of your oral hygiene can help prevent infections and improve the healing of injured gums.
Stop the bleeding
If the gums bleed, apply gentle pressure with a clean piece of clothing for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then rinse your mouth with warm water.
Then rinse the mouth with warm water. This cleanses the mouth and provides a strong defense against infections.
Use a salt rinse
Add one teaspoon of salt to about 8 ounces of warm water. Rinse your mouth with it. Repeat this a few times a day if the cut is painful.
Soothe the pain
You can relieve pain at home in several ways. It is recommended to try a warm salt water rinse to reduce the pain around your gums. Add one teaspoon of salt to about 8 ounces of warm water. Rinse your mouth with it. Repeat this a few times a day if the cut is painful
You can also use tea bags. Soak a tea bag in boiling water for about 5 minutes. Cool down the tea bag. Now, place the tea bag on the affected gum for added pain relief.
FAQ
When is a cut on the gum an emergency?
If the wound does not stop bleeding after 5-10 minutes of pressure has been applied to the area, seek medical attention immediately. If you have a cut that you have treated at home without any improvement for a week or longer, schedule an emergency visit with a dentist to determine if there is an underlying factor that needs to be treated in order for the cut to heal appropriately.
What foods should I eat if I have a cut on my gums?
Avoid hard foods and stick to soft foods until the wound has healed. Refrain from acidic foods and drinks. Stay away from alcohol as well.
Harry Lee, DMD
It is interesting to observe that one of the most common gum injuries I see in my office is not typically caused by big, traumatic accidents. It is almost always a surprise attack from a patient's lunch—a crunchy tortilla chip, a hard pretzel, or a crusty piece of baguette.