Gums are a sensitive part of your mouth that often gets injured without much notice. Most gum cuts aren’t serious and will heal on their own. However, some gum cuts need to be treated by a dentist to prevent infection and/or more severe injuries.
Gum cuts can be caused by things like brushing too hard, flossing with a tight space between teeth, eating pointy foods like doritos, and even playing sports. Most of these are minor annoyances that cause bleeding and pain but don’t require immediate medical attention.
It’s normal for wounds inside the mouth to turn white temporarily. This happens when the body tries to protect itself from infection. Usually the white color will go away within a few days. But it’s still important to see a dentist or healthcare professional right away if you have a cut that’s not improving, especially if you experience fever, chills, pus coming from the wound, red streaks on the skin nearby, or intensifying pain.
Once the wound is cleaned, a cold compress and some ice can help reduce pain and swelling. You can also use a salt rinse or antiseptic mouthwash to keep the area clean and prevent infection. You may also need to get stitches if the wound is deep. Your dentist will decide if you need resorbable or non-resorbable stitches and provide oral antibiotics to prevent infection. They will also schedule your follow-up appointment to make sure the wound is healing properly.