Soft Tissue Injury

In this section, we will cover:

What is a soft tissue injury?

This is where there has been damage to the soft tissues in/around the mouth (gum, lip, tongue) following a physical impact.

Contusion
This is bruising of the soft tissues and requires no treatment.
Abrasion
This is another word for a "scrape" or "graze" in which only the top layer of skin/tissue has been damaged. There may be a small amount of bleeding. It can be managed by keeping the area clean and does not usually require a bandage. These injuries usually heal without a scar within 3 and 10 days.
Laceration
This is where the skin/tissue has been cut. It usually happens due to a sharp object or forceful impact. Some lacerations will heal on their own and just require you to keep the area clean. Others may need "skin glue" or stitches* depending on their size and depth. Dissolvable stitches are used most often, especially for injuries in the mouth or very young children. These dissolve within 2-3 weeks and do not need to be removed by a nurse, dentist or doctor. These injuries may leave a scar. If you are concerned with the appearance, "scar revision treatment" can be performed. This is delayed until at least 6 months after the initial injury as scars usually improve on their own.

*You may need to be seen in an A&E department with a specialist team of "oral and maxillofacial surgeons" for stitches.