thread: Gaping wound in mouth

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Caroline Springs
    2,341

    Gaping wound in mouth

    This evening we were getting the kids ready for their shower with Daddy and our 15 month old daughter had her tooth brush. Just as Daddy was opening the shower door she ran forward with the toothbrush in her mouth and the door hit it. Pretty much every parents fear when their child has a long object in their mouth! Hubby is shattered that he contributed to it Her mouth instantly filled with blood as she started screaming. I held her over the sink so the blood would come out of her mouth rather than her swallowing it. Whenever I blotted her mouth with a facewasher she would get more distressed, and when I tried to look in her mouth she would get more upset as well. The blood was slowing so I figured it was better to just comfort her in case the screaming was making it worse. She's a brave little thing and calmed down quickly. She loves the shower so we still let her have a shower to help rinse her mouth. Once I had her out and dressed she snuggled on my knee while I breastfeed the baby (who unfortunately woke and was crying when we came out of the shower ). Then I gave her a breastfeed as well and was able to get her to open her mouth to have a look while I shone the bright light from my phone in there. It looked worse than I thought it would

    There's a wound sort of where the top and bottom gums meet on the right side, where the cheek starts changing to throat (you will probably understand better if you stick your finger in your mouth and have a feel). The wound is gaping quite a bit. It's about 1cm long and gaping open nearly a cm as well. It's not bleeding though and she doesn't seem too bothered by it. She was moving her mouth a little bit strangely because it must hurt a bit, but when I was feeding her she was holding her foot to my mouth for kisses and giggling, so it can't be too painful. And now she's gone to sleep without any issues.

    When I saw the wound though I was tempted to take her to the hospital, but hubby convinced me to see how she goes overnight and have a look at it tomorrow. What would you have done in the same situation? I'm really hoping that it doesn't hurt her too much and heals up really quickly. Poor little cherub.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
    9,362

    I would have done the same hun poor little pet.

    I might be inclined to ring a paedi dentist in the am though.

    eta mouths seem to heal really quickly, it might look totally different in the morning

  3. #3
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Feb 2006
    melbourne
    11,462

    id definatly get it checked out tomorrow, you might need to see a dentist, oral surgeon or ENT

    hope shes ok
    xx

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Dec 2008
    Brisbane, QLD
    5,171

    oh poor darling. I dont have anything constructive to add but wanted to send some hugs. I hope she's feeling a lot better in the morning and it hasnt done any permanent damage.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    pakenham, victoria
    3,660

    oh jeeps!!! poor bubba girl, never nice when they hurt themselves. hope its looking better tomorrow xx

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Gold Coast
    1,153

    apparently your mouth is the fastest healing part of your body.
    I wouldnt stress too much if she seems fine. Just dont forget that she may vomit some old blood tonight if she swallowed alot.
    Poor kid

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    Adelaide
    1,741

    poor little thing, mouths do tend to heal quickly. Given it had stopped bleeding, she wasnt distressed and comfertable enough to feed I would leave her be and check in the morning at if it still looks bad take her to the GP

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Nov 2007
    Off with the fairies.
    4,370

    Awh, poor little girl.
    all round.

    xox

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Caroline Springs
    2,341

    Thanks ladies. She seems ok so far. We gave her some panadol before she went to bed to help with the pain. Her cheek was a little red and slightly swollen too. She's woken up a couple of times and cried out, but she's settled herself before we've even gone in the room. I got to the door before and heard her start sucking the back of her hand which is what she's always done from birth. Fingers crossed she can sleep peacefully the rest of the night and I'll take a look in her mouth in the morning. I think nice soft foods will be on the menu tomorrow.