In the Know for You to Know

Your child had their dental appointment for their filling (or tooth extraction) and everything went great. Yea! Everyone is cheering and so happy!

The pediatric dentist talks with you about their after care. You take special note to be especially careful and watch them since the novocaine (aka local anesthetic, numbing) hasn’t worn off yet.

Your child says that their mouth feels funny on that one side. They tell you that they don’t like it. It feels funny and big. They want you to make it “wake up now.” Then they try on their own to pinch and hit their lip and cheek saying “wake up.” You ask them to stop and put their hands in yours. Both of you explain that their mouth will “wake up” in a little while. For now it’s important to let it be and wake up on its own.

Children will be children and this is difficult for them. They want their mouth to feel “normal and regular.”

How many of us have been here? Whether it’s after your child’s or your dental treatment, many of us have experienced this feeling.

As the patient myself, as the mom, and as the pediatric dentist I have been here.

Today we’ll be talking about what happens when despite all of our best efforts your child experiences a lip bite.

What Causes A Lip Bite?

When a child needs a filling (or tooth extraction) local anesthesia is often used to “numb” the area. Depending on the treatment needed and the type of local anesthetic, it can last from 2-4 hours.

This makes it difficult for a child to feel their lips, cheek, and tongue. As a result, they may accidentally bite, chew or suck on these areas without realizing it.

What Does A Lip Bite Look Like?

In the event your child accidentally bites their lip, cheek or tongue, there are a few signs you need to look for ~

• Swelling of the lip, cheek, and/or tongue,
• A yellowish-white scab develops which resembles an ulcer or an infection,
• Bloody crusting around the scab,
• Tooth imprints in the area surrounding the scab.
• Is the bite limited to the lip itself or does it extend past the border of the lip onto the skin?

How Long Does A Tooth Bite Take To Get Better?

If your child does bite, chew or suck on their lip, cheek or tongue, a yellowish-white scab forms as the wound heals. This may take up to 14 days to go away.

If the bite is larger or includes the skin, it takes longer to heal and may cause scaring.

What About Eating After A Lip Bite?

Eating is important. Stay with things like ~

• Soft easy foods like mashed potatoes, pasta, mac and cheese, oatmeal,
• Cool foods like yogurt, ice cream, and popsicles,
• Drink from a cup, and don’t use straws which irritates the bite,
• Avoid citrus fruits, tomatoes, salty and spicy foods which are also irritating.

How Do You Take Care Of A Lip Bite?

Keeping your child’s mouth and the bite area clean is really important. This is because clean areas heal faster.

It’s important to ~

• Clean the area well with a soft wet wash cloth 3 times a day as well as after eating and after tooth brushing,
• Brush and floss teeth as normal,
• Be gentle around the injured area.

A Pediatric Dentist’s Lip Bite Story

A dad brought his 4 year old child to my office for a filling on a bottom back tooth (aka molar). This child did great. They even got an extra prize for being so awesome.

As I was sitting this child up in the chair I could see they felt the one side of their mouth was “feeling funny.”

I reviewed the after care instructions with Dad, and explained to the child (in age appropriate words) about the “funny feeling.”

Everything went well. I checked in on the family that evening and Mom was so happy and pleased. I reviewed instructions for overnight (as I always do).

The next morning Mom brought her child to the office. She was (understandably) livid. When this child woke up their lip and cheek was visibly swollen, there was some blood crusting and had a white-ish yellow covering.

After making sure there wasn’t any infection, this turned out to be a lip bite.

I cleaned the area and instructed mom on how to take care of the bite area. We talked about diet and oral hygiene. I sensed mom’s concern and encouraged mom to speak with her pediatrician.

I also called the pediatrician (which is my usual when there are concerns). The pediatrician encouraged mom to follow my recommendations and would also follow up.

We made appointments and I saw this child everyday in the office to monitor their healing. At the 5 day mark the swelling was resolved and by day 7 the bite was healed. When I saw them on day 10, you wouldn’t have known there was a lip bite.

Mom took a picture on day 10 and compared it with a picture taken prior to the filling. She said that no one could tell any difference.

Are you wondering? Yes, this family still brings their children to my office along with cousins and a few neighbors.

What To Remember

If your child received local anesthesia for their dental treatment their lips, cheek, and tongue will be “numb” for a few hours after their appointment.

Since they can’t feel these areas, sometimes children may accidentally bite them. This causes them to swell.

It’s very important to watch your child closely after their dental appointment. You’ll need to remind them not to suck, bite or chew on their lip, cheek or tongue.

Cold drinks, frozen treats (like popsicles), and cool compresses can help them feel comfortable.

If your child has any swelling or something doesn’t look right to you contact your dentist’s office immediately so they can be evaluated.

Has your child had local anesthetic for a filling or tooth extraction? How did they do afterwards? Did your child bite their lip or cheek or tongue? What did you do? Do you know a child who bit their lip? How did it go? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!