Most mouth injuries, especially the cuts on the mouth lining are the result of an accidental mouth biting. Commonly, this kind of injury is going to heal within days, without any serious medical treatments. However, the caused pain might be excruciating that it causes an extreme discomfort while eating and talking.

How cuts in mouth heal

Cuts in mouth can be located on the lining, gum, inside the cheek, and even near the throat. In most cases, cuts in mouth heal within days, especially when you eat the right foods. However, some cuts in mouth may develop into mouth or canker sores, which take more time to heal and can be more painful. The good news is that injuries in mouth heal faster than ones in some other body parts. Mucous tissues in the mouth are simpler to recreate and remodel, so that it takes shorter period for the injured area in mouth to heal compared to other body part areas. Moreover, the area around the neck and face, including the mouth is surrounded by blood vessels, so that sufficient blood supply is pumped into the injured area, giving the area faster recovery. Based on these reasons, your cuts in mouth should heal quite fast, and if it seems to heal slowly, there are several methods and remedies to use in promoting faster healing.

What to put on a cut inside your mouth

Some remedies have a significant role in healing cuts in mouth.

• Ice cubes

Ice cubes are really easy to make and find, and can be used in relieving pain caused by cuts in mouth. This remedy can be applied for relieving cuts in mouth and works best for its first aid. Ice cubes or ice pop—or popsicles can be put onto a cut in mouth which is still bleeding. It has a role of constricting the blood vessels and promoting blood clotting. They also reduce swelling caused by mouth cuts.

• Oral antibiotic ointment

Antibiotic ointment for oral application can minimize the pain caused by accidental mouth biting. It also reduces swelling and promote proper healing. Follow the direction on how often you should apply the ointment onto the cut.

• Apple cider vinegar

Applying a dab of a natural apple cider vinegar onto the cuts in mouth is beneficial in killing infesting bacteria. These bacteria tend to aggravate the cut, turning it into a painful mouth sore. Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature, and has a property to kill these bacteria and thus, improve the cut wound. Apply the vinegar onto the wounded mouth area twice a day until the pain subsides.

• Honey

Honey helps the body increase the immune system against the bacteria infesting cuts in mouth. Applying raw honey onto the cuts in mouth also calm the painful reactions by weakening the bacteria. Apply a dab of honey directly onto the cuts located on mouth lining or gum, or take a teaspoon of honey for a cut located near the throat to help reducing the pain.

• Baking soda

Baking soda is another remedy you can use with a cut in mouth. This is a natural pain reliever, which is also a germ killer. Baking soda also works by putting the mouth PH level back into normal. Normalized PH balance will eliminate infesting bacteria and minimize the effect of the cut. To use baking soda for cuts in mouth, mix a teaspoon of baking soda with water to form thick paste. Apply the paste directly to the affected area or use it for brushing the teeth with soft-bristle toothbrush. Apply the remedy twice or three times a day until the pain subside and the cuts close.

• Salt

Saline solution has long been known as a very effective natural solution for cuts in mouth. Although applying a pinch of salt onto the cut in mouth will cause an excruciating sting, it will also make the wounded part of the mouth numb, so that the caused pain can be put into minimal. If you cannot bear the sting, instead of putting a pinch of salt onto the cut, try to gargle the mouth with a mixture of a glass of warm water and one teaspoon of salt. This natural anti-bacterial agent will eliminate the pain caused by infesting bacteria.

What not to put on a cut inside mouth

Some remedies might work well in combating pain caused by cuts in mouth. However, some are not recommended, as it may worsen the wound, instead of improving it. There are also some methods of treatment which are not advised for this kind of injury.

• Alcohol

Some people might have been told that alcohol-containing mouthwash will wash away the pain caused by cuts in mouth. It is also said to be one of the effective antibacterial agents for killing infesting bacteria in the cut. However, alcohol is not advised to be used for treating cuts in mouth, as it may be too harsh and may damage the mucous tissues in mouth, which instead of speeding the healing up, will inhibit the process. If you prefer to use mouthwash for treating cuts in mouth, only gargle the mouth with non-alcoholic mouthwash.

• Peroxide

Despite its property as an effective disinfectant, peroxide can give as harsh reaction as alcohol does. Thus, it may disturb the remodeling of mucous tissues which delays the healing.

• Scratchy foods

Cuts in mouth should be left alone to promote faster healing. Thus, it is important to replace hard, scratchy foods with softer foods you can consume without chewing, such as porridge, broth, or smoothies. Hard foods which are hard to chew will rub against the cut and make the injury worse. It may cause re-bleeding or make the injury larger. Foods which tend to leave some parts in your mouth are also not recommended, as it may invite bacterial infestation around the wounded area, which lead to more severe soreness and delayed healing.