Accidental biting which causes cuts inside the cheek is really not an uncommon problem. Some people even experience this kind of cut caused by consistent rubs of the cheek lining against sharp premolars. Cuts located on the inner lining of the cheek is very painful, as it tend to swell, so that the chance that we re-bite the wounded area is quite high. Cuts inside the cheek may also cause torn cheek lining, which can be accompanied by bleeding. Despite this, cut inside the cheek will self-heal within days, although some cases might take more than a week—especially when re-biting is involved frequently.

Healing a cut inside your cheek

• Clean the cut

Cuts inside the cheek can be caused by variety of risk factors, although grinding your teeth at night and accidental bites while eating are among the most common causes. When you are hurting your cheek lining while eating, stop and clean the cut by gargling the mouth with water. Make sure the cut is cleaned from any food leftover to accelerate healing.

• Stop the bleeding

Hard biting inside the cheek may result in bleeding cuts. You can suck it until the bleeding stops or put pressure on it to get it stop. Press the cheek lining with your upper and lower molars together gently until the bleeding subsides. You can also apply a pressure with a cotton ball put onto the cut. Bleeding is an essential natural healing process to clean the wound from debris. Luckily, common cuts inside the cheek do not usually bleed a lot.

• Reduce swelling

Cuts on the cheek will likely to cause swelling. If not treated, the chance that the swelling causes re-bite is quite significant. Hence, it is essential to reduce the swelling. Putting an ice pack from the outside of the cheek can be done twice a day to bring the swelling down. You can also suck an ice cube and put it against the cut cheek lining to reduce swelling. Popsicles are not only delicious, but are also beneficial in performing this function.

• Keep the cut clean

Mouth is a harbor for a variety of bacteria. However, we need the mouth to do a lot of crucial activities. These activities may aggravate the cut in cheek, so that performing a good hygiene is required. This way, the active bacteria can be eliminated and the healing process can be accelerated. To keep the mouth and the cut clean, gargle with saline solution that you can make out of a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of salt. Wash the mouth using this solution, focusing on the cut. Hold the solution for several seconds until the caused pain subsides. Since salt is edible, this treatment is side-effect free. Besides, it is a natural anti bacteria which is beneficial for improving the cut condition.

• Strengthen the immune system

Take some healthy foods and food supplements which can help your body strengthen the immune system. Foods loaded with vitamin C and anti-oxidants are beneficial in promoting better immune system for healing. Vegetables and fruits are definitely crucial during the healing days.

• Avoid consuming hard, scratchy foods

You need to be extra wise in choosing what to eat when experiencing cuts inside the cheeks, as hard, scratchy foods will rub against the cuts and may have an aggravating effect. To prevent this, consume only soft foods with neutral taste, such as fruit and veggie smoothies, rice porridge, or mashed potato. Keep this eating habit for the crucial healing stage—around the first two or three days before returning into your usual eating habit.