A minor lip injury from accidentally nipping your lip when chewing gum or eating food rarely proves to be more than a minor nuisance. In most of these situations, the worst thing you’ll experience is a small, swollen or tender spot.

More significant lip injuries from an oral trauma or dental accident can sometimes cause serious pain, requiring quality first aid and perhaps even professional treatment at Radiant Smiles Family Dentistry.

You can help manage or reduce any potential swelling by applying a cold compress on the area for 15 minutes at a time. Even if you’re still experiencing some swelling, it’s best to take a break after 15 to 20 minutes as the excess cold can also irritate sensitive tissues and impede blood flow. If you don’t have a quality cold compress on hand, you can always improvise one with a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel.

Minor bleeding can often be controlled by applying modest pressure to a bandage or sterile gauze pad. If the bleeding doesn’t cease within 20 minutes, you should seek emergency care. This is often a sign that the wound requires care by a physician.

While you are awaiting care, you can help manage the pain by lightly applying a small amount of topical dental anesthetic.

If you are in the Kirkland, Washington, area and you’re struggling to manage a lip injury, you can always call (425) 828.9721 to seek professional advice or treatment from Dr. Danlu Lee & Wendy Yeung.