Swollen lip from trauma: what to know

A fall, sports impact, collision, or object striking the mouth can injure the lip's skin, muscle, and inner lining. Blood or fluid under the tissue may create puffiness, tenderness, bruising, or a firm area. A split can pass through the lip and leave an injury on both the outer and inner surfaces. Check gently for a chipped, displaced, or painful tooth and for difficulty bringing the teeth together. The visible swelling may not show the full extent of an injury to the mouth.

Rinse dirt from the mouth with clean water. If there is bleeding, press a clean cloth firmly but gently against the area without repeatedly lifting it to look. Place a covered cold pack outside the lip for brief periods, allowing the skin to rest between applications. Eat soft foods and avoid alcohol, tobacco, sharp foods, and heat while the area is tender. Do not massage a fresh bruise or apply ice directly. A dentist should assess a damaged tooth or a bite that no longer feels normal.

Seek emergency help for breathing difficulty, inability to swallow saliva, rapidly increasing swelling, loss of consciousness, or a possible serious head or jaw injury. Get same-day medical or dental care for uncontrolled bleeding, a deep or open cut, a tooth that is loose or pushed out of position, numbness, severe jaw pain, or signs of infection such as fever and pus. Swelling that appears without a clear injury, particularly with hives, should be assessed for angioedema.

Ask whether the wound needs repair, whether your teeth or jaw need imaging, and how to protect the area during eating. Tell the clinician how the impact happened, whether you struck your head, and whether you take medicines that affect bleeding.