Lip Trauma From Biting After Local Anesthesia Treatment
Dental procedures that include the use of local anesthetic of the inferior alveolar nerve have the risk of causing lip trauma from biting after local anesthesia treatment. This risk is especially prevalent among youngsters.
Children who come with this ailment that resolves on its own are sometimes mistaken as having a bacterial infection that is confined to a specific area.
In the most severe situations, children have been hospitalized against their parent's wishes and treated with antibiotics given via their systems or surgical procedures. Following a visit to the dentist, the youngster in question bit his lip and was later sent to the hospital for observation.
This case report details this incident. Pediatric nurses are in a unique position to assist both parents and primary care doctors in correctly diagnosing and palliatively managing this benign disease.
Treatment Of Lip Trauma From Biting After Local Anesthesia Treatment
Masticatory lip ulceration caused by anesthesia of the mandibular nerve might be a scary sight for a doctor who has never seen it before. Perhaps this is why some doctors have been reported to treat these non-bacterial ulcers with systemic antibiotics or to order surgical incisions and drainage.
Even though lip biting ulcers often manifest with some regional swelling and edema, they are typically not infections and should be treated as such.
It is difficult for a youngster to know or even feel whether they are biting their upper lip or the inside of their cheek after their mouth has been numbed for dental surgery since this makes it impossible for them to tell the difference between the two.
It should not come as a surprise that this complication has become more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic because children are wearing face masks coming and going from the dental office. It is significantly more difficult for a parent to discern whether or not their child has bitten their lip through a face mask.
After undergoing a dental procedure that required the administration of anesthesia, it is vitally important for both children and the adults who care for them to be aware of the fact that they must exercise extreme caution in order to avoid biting their lips or cheeks by accident for the next two to three hours, or until the numbness subsides.
During this period, no food nor drink should be offered to the patient. It is recommended to stay in a setting where the wearing of masks is not necessary so that parents may have a better opportunity to examine their child's mouth. This will help to guarantee that this does not occur.
If your kid bites or chews on their lip or cheek, a traumatic ulcer with a yellowish appearance may occur when the area heals. It might take up to two weeks for this to go gone completely.
During this period, it is essential to keep the affected region clean, to continue with regular dental hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing and to avoid anything that can irritate the wound, such as citrus juices or dishes based on tomatoes. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be given to your child as required if they are experiencing any kind of discomfort.
People Also Ask
How Long Does It Take For A Chewed Lip To Heal?
A broken or cut lip might take a few days to a few weeks to heal, depending on its severity. If the swelling doesn't go down in 48 hours or your lip keeps bleeding, get medical help.
How Do You Get Rid Of Anesthesia In Your Lips?
Stir a teaspoon of salt into warm water and rinse your mouth with it. This helps remove the numbness.
Can Local Anesthesia Cause Permanent Numbness?
It is unusual for a patient getting a local anesthetic at a dentist's office to never lose it, meaning the region stays numb after the injection.
Conclusion
As this instance demonstrates, there is a pressing need for improved lines of communication between the dentistry and medical communities. It was reasonable to not provide systemic antibiotics or perform surgery on the youngster mentioned above, which would have prevented a costly and needless stay.
When a child presents with lip traumafrom biting after local anesthesia treatment, the pediatric nurse plays a crucial role in the healthcare team by helping to rule out incorrect diagnoses and unnecessary medical interventions.
About The Authors
Dr. Bill Butcher- With more than two decades of experience, Dr. Bill Butcher aims to provide a repository for educational materials, sources of information, details of forthcoming events, and original articles related to the medical field and about health subjects that matter to you. His goal is to help make your life better, to help you find your way when faced with healthcare decisions, and to help you feel better about your health and that of your family. Bill received his medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine and spent his entire career helping people find the health and medical information, support, and services they need. His mission is to help millions of people feel fantastic by restoring them to optimal health.