How to Heal a Cut in Your Mouth

Cuts in the mouth can occur from brushing your teeth, eating, biting the inside of your mouth, or having dental braces. Most cuts are minor and will heal on their own. However, they can be painful or turn into white sores. To heal a cut in your mouth, avoid irritating foods, gargle with salt water, use an ointment, or try a natural antibacterial agent.

Things You Should Know

If your cut is bleeding, rinse your mouth with cool water, use gauze to apply pressure on the cut for 15 minutes, and press a cold compress on your cut to slow the bleeding. ^{[1]XResearch source}
Ointments^{[2]XResearch source}, warm salt water,^{[3]XResearch source} honey,^{[4]XResearch source} baking soda paste,^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceNational Cancer InstituteAn agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient supportGo to source} coconut oil,^{[6]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source} and zinc^{[7]XResearch source} can all ease your pain and help heal your cut.
To limit your pain, avoid mouth wash and spicy foods, drink water when your mouth gets dry, and if you have braces, use wax to shield your cut from sharp metal.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceScience DirectOnline archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topicsGo to source}^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceSeattle Children's HospitalHealth information provided by Seattle Children's hospital.Go to source}

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

First Aid for Bleeding Wounds

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If the cut in your mouth is bleeding, start by rinsing your mouth with cool water for a few minutes. Swish the water around in your mouth, making sure to swish it around the area with the cut. This helps remove the blood, wash away any dirt or debris in your mouth, and stop the bleeding.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterLeading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and researchGo to source}
2
Apply pressure to the wound for 15 minutes. If rinsing your mouth doesn’t stop the bleeding, you can apply pressure to the cut with a piece of gauze. Gently press the gauze against the cut for a few minutes to stop the bleeding.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Don’t peek under the gauze before 15 minutes is up, since this could disturb the clot that’s forming and make the bleeding start up again. If the gauze gets soaked through, just put a fresh piece on top of it.
- If the bleeding is severe or doesn’t stop after 15 minutes, get medical help.
- If you have bleeding inside your lip, you can also apply pressure by gently pressing the wound against your teeth or gums from the outside.
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3
Use a cold compress to slow the bleeding. Pressing a cold compress or ice against the bleeding cut can also help stop the bleeding. Wrap the ice in a cloth and put it against the cut. This helps reduce inflammation and constrict the blood vessels, which will help stop the bleeding.^{[12]XResearch source}^{[13]XResearch source}
- You can also suck on an ice cube or popsicle to slow the bleeding and soothe the area.
- Ice is also great for reducing pain and swelling.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Daily Care

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1
Protect the wound with an ointment. You can buy ointments that are made to treat and soothe oral sores, such as Orabase or Anbesol. These ointments contain pain relievers and can also protect the cut while it’s healing. They may also reduce swelling at the site of the wound.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source}
- When using oral ointments, make sure to read the directions carefully.
2
Gargle with warm salt water. Using salt water is one of the most common ways to heal a mouth cut. Mix 1 teaspoon (6 g) of salt with 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved. Swish the solution around in your mouth, making sure you pay close attention to the area with the cut. Spit out the salt water when you’re done rinsing.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Salt has antiseptic properties that can clean the cut.^{[16]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
- It’s especially beneficial to do the salt water rinse after meals, since it helps get rid of food particles in your mouth could irritate the wound.
3
Apply honey to promote healing and soothe pain. Honey is an antibacterial and antiseptic substance that can help boost the immune system.^{[17]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source} Applying honey to the cuts in your mouth can help kill bacteria, heal the wound, and reduce pain. Place raw honey on the cut 3 times each day.^{[18]XResearch source}
- Raw, pure honey works best. You can find raw honey in most health food stores, or you may be able to get it from your local grocery store.
4
Make a baking soda paste and dab it on the sore. Baking soda has antibacterial properties.^{[19]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source} This can help kill bacteria in the cut in your mouth and promote healing, and it may also help reduce pain and irritation. Make a paste with 1 teaspoon (4 g) of baking soda and a small amount of water. Place the paste on the cut 2 to 3 times each day.^{[20]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source}
- Alternatively, dissolve 1 teaspoon (4 g) of baking soda in ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of warm water and swish it around in your mouth 2-3 times a day.^{[21]XResearch source}
- You can also try brushing your teeth with the baking soda paste, but avoid brushing the wounded area or else you may hurt it and cause it to start bleeding again.
5
Swish coconut oil in your mouth for better healing. Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, and the natural acids in the oil may help soothe and heal mouth sores. When you get up in the morning, swish 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of coconut oil in your mouth for about 20 minutes, then spit it out and rinse your mouth with a bit of warm salt water.^{[22]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
- If your jaw starts to hurt, you don’t have to swish for a full 20 minutes. Aim for at least 5 minutes, but do whatever feels comfortable.
- While “oil pulling” is traditionally done in the morning, you can do it any time throughout the day.
6
Ask your doctor about using zinc supplements to speed up healing. Zinc supplements may help heal certain kinds of mouth sores, such as aphthous ulcers. Try sucking on a zinc lozenge 4-6 times a day until the ulcer heals.^{[23]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of Family PhysiciansOrganization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communitiesGo to source}
- Before starting any new vitamin or supplement, talk to your doctor—especially if you’re taking other medications. Zinc can interact with certain antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and arthritis medications.^{[24]XResearch source}
- Taking zinc long-term can lead to a copper deficiency, so ask your doctor about taking copper supplements if you’re planning to take zinc for more than a few days.^{[25]XTrustworthy SourceOregon State University Linus Pauling InstituteResearch center dedicated to promoting optimal health through cutting-edge nutrition research and public outreachGo to source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Pain Management

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1
Avoid spicy or hard foods. Certain foods may irritate the cut in your mouth. Don’t eat anything that is extremely spicy or salty, since this can sting and cause pain. You should also avoid eating hard or dry foods. Instead, eat soft, bland foods that won’t irritate the tissues in your mouth.^{[26]XResearch source}
- You can try to eat dairy products such as ice cream, tender meats, and cooked vegetables.
- Avoid acidic foods, like tomatoes and citrus fruits.
2
Drink lots of water to avoid a dry mouth. By drinking a lot of fluids, you will keep your mouth wet. A dry mouth can cause pain and irritate the cut in your mouth.^{[27]XResearch source} Avoid beverages that may cause pain, like citrus fruit juices or acidic beverages.^{[28]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Avoid alcoholic beverages because they can cause burning and irritation.
- Cold drinks, like ice water, may also help soothe pain and inflammation.
3
Stay away from mouthwashes that contain alcohol. Don’t rinse with mouthwashes that contain alcohol because they may damage the wounded tissues in your mouth and inhibit the healing process. Instead, stick to alcohol-free washes.^{[29]XResearch source}
- Mouthwashes with hydrogen peroxide may also irritate your mouth wound, so avoid them unless your doctor or dentist advises otherwise.
4
Limit the movement of your mouth. You can’t stop talking and using your mouth, but be more careful with the way you use your mouth while a cut is healing. Don’t open your mouth too wide. This can pull on the tissues inside of the mouth and open the cut again or delay the healing process.
- As much as possible, avoid laughing, yawning, or other actions that involve opening your mouth wide—especially if you have a fresh cut that could start bleeding again.
5
Use wax to prevent cuts and reduce pain if you have braces. Apply orthodontic wax to the sharp outer areas of your brackets that tend to irritate the inside of your mouth. This will reduce your pain by limiting the irritation on the cut and will also prevent future cuts.^{[30]XTrustworthy SourceScience DirectOnline archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topicsGo to source}
- You can get orthodontic wax from your dentist’s office or from a drug store.

Expert Q&A

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Question
The dentist cut the inside of my cheek badly. I have tried salt water but it stings so much. What should I do?
Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Expert Answer
For pain reduction you may want to apply oral benzocaine gel, available over the counter at a drugstore. You also may want to use coconut oil to help speed up the healing process. Dissolve and swish 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 5-10 minutes. You can repeat the process a few times a day. Coconut oil is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. It also helps with healing and soothing of the mouth mucosa.
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