Note: it's normal for a healing wound in the mouth to be white.
A canker sore, or aphthous ulcer, is a lesion that develops in the soft tissues that line the inside of the mouth, gums, and inner lips. A canker sore on the inside of the lip can appear as a white or yellow open wound surrounded by inflamed tissue.
Cuts in the mouth can become infected, and symptoms include: swelling. pus. a fever.
Most mouth wounds heal without intervention in about 7 days and have an excellent outcome with no complications even when they require stitches. However, the prognosis decreases if wounds become infected or those wounds that require stitching are left untreated.
Cuts inside the mouth, even if they appear large, often heal on their own without the need for stitches. Bruises, blisters, or swelling on the lips caused by injury may be treated by sucking on ice pops or ice cubes or by applying a cold pack to the area every 1 to 2 hours for 10 to 15 minutes for the first 24 hours.
Swelling. Any swelling in the gums is a red flag for infection. If it is a small pimple-like swelling on the gums, you likely have an abscess from a tooth. Swelling around multiple teeth where the gums meet the teeth is a sign of inflammatory gum disease.
Extremely painful or if you think there may be a break (fracture) or head or bone injury. Showing a loose or broken tooth (this is better addressed by a dentist) Showing signs of infection, such as increased warmth, redness, swelling, or fluid leaking. Going from the inside of the mouth and go through to the outside.
The tissue in your mouth and around your gums is made up of mucous. Mucous tissue regenerates very quickly. This means when you injure the inside of your mouth, the tissue starts working automatically to heal itself.
Depending on the procedure used, the dentist may prescribe oral antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen) to aid in the recovery. If dental stitches are used, you would be asked to avoid smoking, alcohol, or sipping through a straw while you heal.
An infected lip may be red, warm to the touch, draining pus, or becoming more swollen. In this case, it is also important to see a doctor. Learn more about how to recognize an infected wound here.
You have symptoms of infection, such as: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness around the cut. Red streaks leading from the cut. Pus draining from the cut.
After the initial discharge of a bit of pus and blood, your wound should be clear. If the discharge continues through the wound healing process and begins to smell bad or have discoloration, it's probably a sign of infection.
The most common cause is injury (such as accidentally biting the inside of your cheek). Other causes include aphthous ulceration, certain medications, skin rashes in the mouth, viral, bacterial and fungal infections, chemicals and some medical conditions. An ulcer that won't heal may be a sign of mouth cancer.
Your mouth has a more regular blood flow.
Blood contains cells that are necessary for healing. In addition to a simpler structure, the easy access to blood supply makes it easier to heal your mouth. Mucous tissue is highly vascular, meaning it's very rich in blood vessels.
Part of the reason why is due to oral bacteria. While your mouth may contain billions of bacteria that cover your cheeks, gums and teeth, the number of actual species is far less, usually just several hundred. With so many microbes in the mouth, they have to play some role in how quickly an oral wound heals.
Mouth infections
Thrush usually appears as white patches, or a white coating, over the lining of the mouth and tongue. It is treated with anti-fungal medicines, which your doctor can prescribe.
These symptoms can indicate an unhealthy condition, like gum disease or a gum infection. Red Gums: Red gums, or gums that are deeply pink, often indicate an infection. Bright red gums may be highly sensitive, and they may bleed when you brush and floss.
If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw, throat or neck or even to other areas of your body.
Can an infected wound or cut heal on its own? Some minor wound infections can heal on their own, but if a wound starts to develop more drainage, the surrounding redness spreads, or if a person develops a fever, a person should seek further medical attention.
A lip wound should heal itself in three or four days, Dr. Ye Mon says. “If you notice swelling, discharge from the wound, fever, or worsening pain or redness, see a doctor.”