- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- A to Z
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Helping With Homework
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy & Newborn Center
- Pregnancy & Baby
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center for Kids
- Cancer Center for Kids
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center for Kids
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center for Kids
- Recipes & Cooking for Kids
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A for Kids
- The Heart
- Videos for Kids
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center for Teens
- Be Your Best Self
- Cancer Center for Teens
- Diabetes Center for Teens
- Diseases & Conditions (for Teens)
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center for Teens
- Homework Help for Teens
- Infections (for Teens)
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center for Teens
- Recipes for Teens
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sexual Health
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos for Teens
- Body
- Mind
- Para Adolescentes
A to Z: Open Wound, Mouth
May also be called: Cut
An open wound of the mouth means a cut or puncture to the lips, inner cheeks, floor, or roof or back of the mouth.
More to Know
Cuts of the upper or lower lip in children are usually due to falls. Pulling on the injured lip to inspect the wound can make bleeding worse.
Puncture wounds of the back of the throat and soft palate sometimes happen when a child falls with an object (like a pencil or toothbrush) in the mouth. These wounds can be serious.
Many mouth wounds heal without stitches. However, seek immediate medical attention for bleeding that will not stop, gaping wounds, cuts through the border of the lip, injury to the back of the throat or palate, or wounds that cause severe pain and difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Keep in Mind
After a child receives medical attention for a mouth wound, follow instructions carefully to prevent infection and minimize scarring to the lips. Infections of mouth injuries are rare, but can happen.
All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.