Cuts on the gums are more common than you might think. They are surprisingly easy to get, too, especially when eating hard or chewy foods. These cuts are painful, but they don’t usually need medical attention. If you notice a cut on your gums, rinse the area with diluted salt water or an antiseptic mouthwash and apply ice to decrease pain and swelling. If the wound doesn’t seem to be healing or is bleeding heavily, make an appointment with your dentist.
Gum cuts are a lot like other soft tissue wounds in the mouth. They bleed easily, but they also swell and heal quickly. Depending on the severity of the cut, it may need stitches to close the wound. The wounds in the gums are prone to germs, so it’s important to keep the area clean until it heals.
Rinse the wound often using a mixture of warm water and a teaspoon of salt to wash away debris and prevent infection. You can also use a mouth rinse that is safe for the gums, but avoid hot, spicy, or citrus-based products. Modifying your diet to include more soft foods is also helpful. Sucking on ice cubes and popsicles can also help decrease pain and swelling while the gum cut heals.