What to Do If You Accidentally Slice Your Gums

Ouch! If you have ever accidentally sliced your gums, you know it isn’t pleasant. It is a rather awkward place to mend a wound. We have some thoughts on what to do if this happens.

How Did I Cut My Gums?

You will usually know when you have cut your gums, due to the fact that you are in pain and your mouth is bleeding. Don’t panic if there seems to be a lot of blood. The blood from your bleeding gums will mix with saliva in your mouth and may make it look worse than it is. If you don’t notice right away, you may wonder how in the world it happened. Unfortunately, it isn’t all that hard to do. For example, those yummy chips we like to eat, often have pointy edges. Bite it just the right way, and your gums may get sliced. Or maybe you are in a hurry to get out the door, so you brush your teeth a bit too quickly, and your toothbrush slips, cutting your gums. Another way slices happen is with toothpicks… great for removing food from in between our teeth, but when not used properly, that pointy end can do some damage to your gums.

How to Remedy Your Sliced Gums

Our gums are soft and tender, which makes them easy to cut, but thankfully they heal easily as well. If you have determined your gums are sliced, apply some pressure to the cut area, and rinse with an anti-septic mouthwash. Our office can give you advice on the best one to choose. If you are still in pain or discomfort, try holding some ice on the cut for a bit. When in doubt, you can call our office, and our professional staff will help you out.