Lip bite after dental anesthesia treatment

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Clinical Practice ColumnColumn Editor: Maura MacPhee, PhD, RNLip Biting in a Pediatric Dental Patient After Dental Local Anesthesia: A Case Report☆
Cited by (0)
What happens if you bite your lip after anesthesia?
How do you heal a bitten lip fast?
How long does it take a bitten lip to heal?
How do you get rid of swollen lips after dentist?

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WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD BITES THEIR CHEEK, LIP, OR TONGUE

Your child’s lip, cheek and/or tongue will be numb or "asleep" for about 2-3 hours. During that time, do not let your child bite, scratch, or pick at these areas.

Follow these instructions if your child bites his or her cheek, lip or tongue:

After local anesthesia is used, your child may accidentally chew on his or her lip, cheek or tongue to the point of injury. Once the initial bleeding stops, the area will likely turn whitish in color. Do not be alarmed – this is normal and not a sign of infection. Luckily, these areas of the mouth heal very quickly.

Apply an ice pack over the area during the first 3 days if there is swelling. Place the ice pack on the area for 15 minutes and remove it for 15 minutes. Repeat this process for 1 hour, 3 times a day.

Give your child Tylenol or Motrin over the counter as directed per the manufacturer’s label for pain.
Call us if the wound is not healing in 5-7 days or if it seems infected. Signs of infection include continued swelling, drainage, and/or redness. If the area won't stop bleeding and/or if the injury is significant, call the office (225) 925-2273 so that we can further assist you.

GRIFFON’S gentledental·1669 Lobdell Ave., Suite B·Baton Rouge, LA 70806·(225)925-2273

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Clinical Practice ColumnColumn Editor: Maura MacPhee, PhD, RNLip Biting in a Pediatric Dental Patient After Dental Local Anesthesia: A Case Report☆

Self-inflicted lip trauma is a potential complication of dental treatment involving local anesthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve, particularly among children. Children presenting with this self-limiting condition are often times misdiagnosed as having a localized bacterial infection. In some extreme cases, children have been unnecessarily hospitalized and treated with systemic antibiotics or surgical interventions. This case report describes a child who bit his lip after a dental appointment and was subsequently hospitalized for monitoring. Pediatric nurses are in a unique position to help parents and primary care physicians properly diagnose and manage this benign condition palliatively.

Key words

Pediatric dentistry

Complications of local anesthesia

Lip biting

Traumatic ulcer

Cited by (0)

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Posted January 23, 2021.

What to watch for after your little one has dental treatment.

Lip biting, especially for children, has always been a potential complication of any dental treatment involving local anesthesia. When a child’s mouth has been numbed for a dental procedure it is difficult for them to know, or even feel, if they are biting their lip or the inside of their cheek. Not surprisingly, this complication has become more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic as children are wearing face masks coming and going from the dental office and it is significantly more difficult for a parent to discern whether or not their child has bitten their lip through a face mask.

After a dental procedure involving anesthetic it is important that both children and their caregivers understand that for the next 2-3 hours, or until the numbness goes away, that children need to be very careful not to accidentally bite their lip or cheek. No food or drink should be given during this time. To best ensure this doesn’t happen it is ideal to remain in a situation where mask wearing isn’t required so that parents can better observe their child’s mouth.

If your child does bite or chew on their lip or cheek, a yellowish looking traumatic ulcer may form as the wound heals. This may take up to two weeks to go away. During this time, it is important to keep the area clean, maintain normal oral care of brushing and flossing, and avoid anything that might irritate the wound such as citrus juices or tomato-based foods. If your little one is in pain, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be given as needed.

If you have any questions or complications, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office 973-989-7970.

What happens if you bite your lip after anesthesia?

It is not an emergency, but your dentist can examine the bitten area, reassure you that the area will heal and provide instructions for easing any pain and assisting in the healing process. Children with sensory disorders are more likely to bite, chew or suck as they may be drawn to the resulting sensation.

How do you heal a bitten lip fast?

9 treatments and home remedies.

Clean the lip. ... .

Use saltwater for rinsing. ... .

Press the lips around a cooled, moistened tea bag. ... .

Apply a clean, cool compress. ... .

Try sucking on an ice pop or ice cube. ... .

Apply a cloth-covered ice pack to the lips. ... .

Take over-the-counter pain relievers. ... .

Apply petroleum jelly..

How long does it take a bitten lip to heal?

If you develop a busted or cut lip from an accident or injury, the healing process could range from a few days to a few weeks depending on the severity of the lip wound. If swelling doesn't improve within 48 hours or if your lip continues to bleed excessively, you may need to seek medical attention.

How do you get rid of swollen lips after dentist?

A swollen lip after dental treatment is usually nothing to worry about, but it can be painful and irritating. Ensure that you clean the area well, brush teeth as normal, and be gentle around the swollen area. You may wish to apply a cold compress to the area to help to reduce the swelling.