It’s not fun to have cut gums; I’m telling you!
Although gums are tough and not easy to cut, they cause a lot of pain when they’re cut because of their vulnerable position. In fact, any injury in the mouth will hurt, whether it’s on your gums, cheeks, or tongue.
So, how long do cut gums take to heal?
It depends on the severity of your cut. If it’s mild, it’ll go away on its own after a couple of days. More severe cases may take a week to heal, and some critical cases will need stitches if they refuse to heal on their own.
Here’s everything you need to know about the matter.
Why Do Gum Wounds Happen?
People get gum wounds for multiple reasons. Sometimes, the cut appears out of nowhere, or you feel the pain suddenly without anything happening. In these cases, it may be because you’re using a harsh toothbrush, or you put a sharp object in your mouth.
Or, you may have been flossing your teeth too hard, so you may have accidentally cut your gums.
Other times, people develop cut gums because they fall or hit their mouths against sharp objects. If you’re an athlete, you’re more prone to these kinds of injuries.
What You Should Know From the Wound’s Current Status
To know whether your wound is serious or mild and will go on its own after a while, you have to inspect the cut. If you see a lot of blood, don’t worry; it’s completely normal because the gums have a lot of tissues that can tear. Plus, this area has a lot of blood supply to it, so any minor cut will cause a lot to ooze out.
Look at your wound carefully; if it’s turning to white, then it’ll probably heal on its own. It’s normal for cut gums to turn white in response to injuries, and it’s not a cause of concern.
Look for swellness as well. If your gums are swollen, the cut may be more serious than it looks. It may still heal on its own, though.
If your cut has pus coming out of it, there’s a high chance it’s infected, and you need to visit the dentist. It’s also a cause of concern if it’s causing you a high fever and if the pain is only getting worse.
That’s when you know that you need to consult a doctor.
How to Treat Cut Gums
If your gums are cut mildly, they’ll probably heal on their own. However, there are still some ways to fasten the process and ease the pain. Here’s how to treat cut gums.
Easing the Pain
Before treating the cut gums, you should work on stopping the bleeding and easing the pain. Here’s how to do it.
Rinse With Salt Water
Saltwater burns, but it’ll clean your cut and make sure an infection doesn’t arise. Plus, if the cut is mild, it’ll help it heal faster.
All you have to do is stir a teaspoon of salt in some water and rinse your mouth with it. Keep it in your mouth for a few seconds, then spit and repeat. After you’re done, rinse with clean water to remove the aftertaste.
Stop the Cut From Bleeding
If you rinse with saltwater and the cut is still bleeding, it’s better to press on it gently with a paper towel. It’ll absorb the blood and dry the wound, so it doesn’t bleed anymore.
You can keep it for up to ten minutes, then replace it with a new one if it gets too bloody.
Apply a Cold Compress
If you want to stop the pain, you can always opt for a cool compress. It may not be the best feeling to stick an ice-cold cloth in your mouth, especially so close to your teeth, but it may help stop the bleeding.
All you have to do is pour some cold water into a bowl and add some ice cubes. Then, dip a cloth inside, squeeze it, and apply it to your wounded gums. Keep doing it for half an hour, and make sure the water stays cold.
Treating Cut Gums
Now that you cleaned the gums properly and made sure they’re not infected, you can use over-the-counter medication to treat them. Of course, you’ll need to ask the doctor before taking any medicine, especially if you’re a diabetes patient or taking any other prescribed medicines.
If the cut is mild and you don’t need stitches, the doctor will likely give you some Advil or something.
How Long Do Cut Gums Take to Heal?
Cut gums should heal on their own after a while. If the cuts are minor, they should clear up after a few days—a week at most. However, if your cut gums are stitched, they’ll take longer than that.
Sometimes, they’ll dissolve on their own after 5–6 days, and other times the doctor will have to remove them himself. In this case, you’ll have to wait for the doctor’s instructions.
Aftercare of Cut Gums – How to Prevent It From Happening Again
To prevent cut gums from happening again, it’s better to steer clear of any sharp objects that aren’t food. While you can’t stop eating chips, for example, you can stop putting pens and other stationery items in your mouth.
If you play some kind of sport that makes you more prone to cutting your gums, it’d be wise to use a mouthguard. You can consult your dentist and have him make one for you.
Mouthguards don’t only protect the gums, but they also keep the teeth from being broken.
The Takeaway
So, how long do cut gums take to heal?
They should take a couple of days, or up to a week at most. However, if your cut needs stitches, you’ll want to ask your doctor how long it’ll take them to dissolve. They usually don’t stay for more than a week, though.
