Injury to the lip or sudden trauma to the lips is a common phenomenon among active people and can cause great pain and discomfort till it heals. Since the exposed flesh of the lips can make the individual vulnerable to secondary infections, the wound must be addressed as gently as possible with minimal discomfort and immediate medical attention. You must seek the advice of your health care professional who will examine the wound and also seek a detailed history of the recent trauma in order to prescribe the right treatment. It is important to check for teeth or bone damage and any signs of chipped tooth or foreign debris resulting from the cut.
Depending on the severity of the busted lip, the healing time for the lip may range from a few days to a few weeks. Fortunately, the extensive network of blood vessels in the facial region helps in boosting rapid healing, and in most cases, does so without leaving any scars. Since most lip injuries can take place during athletic or recreational activities, they can often be avoided through the use of safety measures or mouth guards. Commercially available safety mouth guards are usually made of soft plastic or silicon that can be adapted to affect the shape of the upper jaw. The safety guards help in protecting the lips as well as the teeth. To further avoid any injury on the lip, use seat belts and protective measures to cover your mouth and affected injured area, especially while driving or travelling in a vehicle.
In the aftermath of a lip injury, clean the injured skin surface with mild soap water and soft clean cloth. Apply a cold compress immediately on the swollen or bruised lips and place gentle pressure on the affected lip for at least five minutes. In order to make swelling and cut down on the bleeding, wrap some crushed ice chips in clean gauze and hold it firmly on the lip. To get rid of any foreign debris or the dirt that may have lodged inside the mouth, rinse or gargle the mouth with saline water. If the gash or the cut on the lip is deep, and is causing too much bleeding, it is important to have an experienced doctor or medical experts look into the matter, as the lip injury may require stitches, especially if it is a large cut. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics as the mouth is rich in bacteria and may be susceptible to further infection.