Oral trauma can come in many forms. A sports injury, automotive collision, or accidental fall in the home can sometimes result in a blow to the face that severely traumatizes the lip and other soft oral tissues.
In a moment such as this, applying some simple first-aid measure can help manage pain, while reducing your chances of suffering additional complications. This might also help you assess the need for professional treatment. Â
You can wipe away any dried blood with a wet washcloth. This might also help you to get a better view of the traumatized tissues.
Applying a cold compress to the lip for 15 minutes at a time can help reduce swelling. If you don’t have a quality cold compress on hand, you can always improvise with a bag of frozen vegetables or ice cubes in a plastic bag that is then wrapped in a tea towel.
Minor bleeding can often be controlled by applying moderate pressure to a gauze bandage held to the injured lip. If it continues to bleed for more than half an hour you should strongly consider going to the Emergency Room or seeking the care of a trained physician.
If you are in the Amarillo, Texas, area and you need additional oral first-aid advice for an oral trauma, you can always call 806-354-8526 to speak to Dr. Jon Ormson or a member of the staff at Jon Ormson DDS.