What to Do When You Bite Your Lip and It Bleeds

Posted on 5/23/2018 by Alyssa O'Steen

Bleeding Lip DFW Oral Surgeons TX 75028-1795

Have you ever accidently bitten your lip and had to start to bleed on you? Don't worry, you're not alone. In fact, nearly every person in the world has done this, multiple times in their life. If this happens to you, you need to know what you can do to help stop the bleeding, avoid bruising and prevent an infection.

How To Stop The Bleeding

Stopping the bleeding is the easy part. You want to use a damp paper towel or washcloth and apply pressure. It will not take long for the lip to stop bleeding for minor punctures, typically just a few minutes. However, for larger punctures, you may have to seek medical attention and have oral stitches placed to close the puncture.

Cleaning The Area

After the bleeding has stopped, you are going to make sure you clean the area. Use a gentle soap and work a nice lather between your hands. Carefully apply the soap to the area.

It is important that you do not scrub the area. The ideal is to let the soap do the work, not your hands. After letting the soap sit for about a minute, gently rinse the area off and pat dry with a clean paper towel or washcloth.

Minimizing Swelling

Swelling is the body's way of dealing with most types of injuries. When we get hurt, blood and white blood cells are rushed to the area to help repair the damage. Unfortunately, the immediate rush of blood to the area causes the tissue in said area to expand.

To counteract this, a cold compress or wrapped ice pack can be used to help minimize the impact of the initial rush and limit swelling. Cold also helps to dull pain, which can be extremely helpful after biting your lip.

If you've recently bitten your lip and you cannot stop the lip from bleeding do not hesitate to contact our office today. We will help you stop the bleeding. If the wound is deep enough, we may possibly explore the idea of stitches and antibiotics to care for the injury.

Dr. Shillingburg and the amazing team at DFW Oral Surgeons are proud to provide exceptional care, including wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, and many other services to residents in and around Argyle, Bartonville, Highland Village, Lantana, Double Oak, South Denton, Denton County, and surrounding areas. Not only has Dr. Shillingburg won best Oral Surgeon of Denton County in 2017 and 2018. He has over 10 years of experience treating patients in his state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center in Flower Mound, TX.

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John C. Shillingburg, DDS

Certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Dr. John Shillingburg is proud to be a native Texan. After graduating from Texas A&M with a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science and from the University of Texas Dental School in San Antonio with a doctorate degree in dental science, Dr. Shillingburg completed a general dentistry residency at Fort Carson in Colorado. Read more.

Seattle Study Club Established in 2013 by John C. Shillingburg, DDS

John C. Shillingburg, DDS in Flower Mound, TX

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is located in a beautiful new building right off of Long Prairie Road in Flower Mound, TX. With close parking and easy accessibility.
Contact John C. Shillingburg, DDS, at our Flower Mound, TX 75028-1795 location. We are here for you. (972) 539-1491

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DFW Oral Surgeons, 4421 Long Prairie Rd,, Flower Mound, TX, 75028-1795 - Tags: Oral Surgeon Flower Mound TX• Dental Implants Flower Mound TX• Oral Surgeon Flower Mound TX• (972) 539-1491• www.dfworalsurgeons.com• 5/22/2019