• Brushing and flossing too hard, chewing on hard objects, using teeth as tools, and many other reasons can cause injuries to the gums.
  • Small 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.

  • Your dental problem is our priority. Find an emergency dentist available now with Authority Dental. Use a reliable and fast source of information.

Is the cut on your gums bleeding and causing you discomfort? Here's everything you need to know.

Causes of a cut on gums near a tooth

The gums are among the softest tissues of the body. Because of their delicate nature, they are susceptible to injuries and cuts. The slightest abrasion can cause bleeding. Here are the incidents that can result in dental injuries and the factors that weaken gums.

Dental trauma

Factors causing dental traumas are countless. Brushing, flossing, eating, using a toothpick or wearing a piercing can cut your gums. 

Grinding teeth

Teeth grinding, while not a primary reason for cuts on the gums, 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 gums irritated or swell.

Brushing or flossing teeth too hard

Brushing or flossing your teeth too forcefully can cause damage to your teeth and gums. You should brush your teeth and gums gently in small circular motions with your toothbrush. If you floss too hard, you can cause small cuts in the gums, which are quite painful.

Chewing on hard objects

Chewing on hard objects can injure your gums 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 and cause you to accidently bite and cut your gums. This is to be expected and should resolve itself once your wisdom teeth fully erupt or you have your wisdom teeth 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 damage, such as cuts, to the gums. 

Car accidents and playing sports with heavy physical contact are examples of instances where your teeth and gum 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 help the dentist perform 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 could be why.

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 in which a small, shallow sore forms 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 into 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 braces and wires. They can also cause cuts in the gums and cheeks.

A dirty mouthguard without proper care and hygiene will 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 cut are the result of long flanges.

Clinical treatments for cuts on gums

Most cuts are fairly small and heal on their own. However, certain incidents can result in large 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 and they are called 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 if you have a large or deep cut. This is especially the case if there are infections 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 gums at home?

Below are the steps you can take to heal cut gums at home.

Proper oral hygiene

It is very important to brush and floss your teeth regularly to make sure your mouth is a clean environment to heal. 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 prevent infection and help 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 puts up a strong defense against any infections.

Use a salt rinse

Add 1 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 1 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 a cut on gum is an emergency?

If the wound does not stop bleeding after 5-10 minutes after 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 properly.

What foods should I eat if I have a cut on my gums?

Avoid hard products and stick to soft foods until the wound heals. Refrain from acidic foods and drinks. Stay away from alcohol as well.