Managing A Blood Blister In Your Mouth

Have you ever noticed a red bump in your mouth? These raised areas, filled with blood, are called oral blood blisters, or bullosa haemorrhagica. They can appear anywhere on your mouth’s soft tissues, like your cheeks or tongue. While they might seem concerning, oral blood blisters are actually quite common and usually harmless, not needing any medical intervention.

This blog post will explore everything you need to know about oral blood blisters: what causes them, how to identify them, and most importantly, how to manage any discomfort they might cause and protect your oral health.

Key Takeaways: –

• Understanding Blood Blisters in Your Mouth
• What Causes Oral Blood Blisters?
• How Do I Know If It’s a Blood Blister?
• Managing Oral Blood Blisters at Home
• Should You See a Dentist For Oral Blood Blisters?
• Protect Your Oral Health With Aesthetique

Understanding Blood Blisters in Your Mouth

Blood blisters are raised, sore areas within your oral cavity (mouth) that are filled with blood. They’re different from the common mouth sores you might experience, like canker sores, which are usually shallow and white or greyish in colour.

These oral blisters form when a tiny blood vessel located beneath the top layer of skin in your mouth ruptures. This broken blood vessel leaks blood, causing a small sac or pocket to form. This pocket fills with blood and becomes a visible bump on your soft mouth tissues.

Blood blisters typically appear red, dark red, or purple. While they can be painful, especially when touched or irritated, they’re usually not serious. They can show up anywhere in your mouth, but they’re most commonly found on softer tissues like your cheeks, tongue, or the underside of your lips.

What Causes Oral Blood Blisters?

So, what exactly causes these little blood pockets to pop up in your mouth? There are a few different reasons, and most of them are fairly harmless.

Accidental Bites

Sometimes, the simplest explanation is the right one! Accidental cheek biting, or biting your tongue or lip, can easily rupture a blood vessel, leading to a blood blister.

Dental Procedures

Certain dental procedures, like getting a crown placed or having impressions made for new dentures, can irritate or pinch your soft mouth tissues. This irritation can sometimes break a blood vessel and cause a blister to form.

Allergies

Allergic reactions or sensitivities to certain things, like acidic foods, can irritate your oral cavity and cause a blood blister to form.

Medications

Some medications, particularly those inhaled for asthma or other respiratory conditions, can cause dryness or irritation in your mouth, increasing the risk of blood blisters.

How Do I Know If It’s a Blood Blister?

So, how can you tell if it’s a blood blister in your mouth or something else? Well, there are a few things you can look at.

Pain Level

Blood blisters can range in pain level. Some may be barely noticeable, while others might be quite sore, especially when touched or irritated by food or drink.

Look-Alikes

It is possible to mistake a blood blister for something else. The most common is a canker sore, which is usually a shallow ulcer with a white or greyish centre surrounded by a red border but doesn’t contain blood.

Fever blisters are another type, often appearing in clusters around the lips or outside the mouth. They may start with a tingling sensation and progress through different stages before crusting over and healing. Blood blisters, on the other hand, typically appear suddenly without warning.

Managing Oral Blood Blisters at Home

Oral blood blisters are usually short-lived and can often be managed comfortably at home. Here are some tips to help ease any discomfort and promote healing:

Pain Relief

Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help manage any soreness associated with the blood blister.

Home Remedies

Try holding an ice cube wrapped in a thin cloth against the blister for short intervals. Alternatively, a cool compress or a popsicle can offer a numbing effect. Rinsing your mouth with a cool salt-water solution (one teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of warm water) can also help reduce inflammation.

Food Choices

While your blood blister heals, it’s important to avoid irritating it further. Choose soft foods over spicy, acidic, or crunchy foods that could cause additional discomfort.

Should You See a Dentist For Oral Blood Blisters?

Most blood blisters resolve on their own within a week or two. However, there are situations where seeking professional help from your dentist is recommended:

• If the blood blister is unusually large and interferes with eating, swallowing, or speaking.
• If your blood blister persists for more than two weeks without showing signs of improvement.
• If you see signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness around the blister, pus drainage, or fever.

Protect Your Oral Health With Aesthetique

Blood blisters in your mouth are usually nothing to worry about. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and simple management strategies, you can easily manage the healing process at home.

Dealing with a large, long-lasting or painful blister? Give our team a call. Our experienced private dentists in Leeds will find the root cause of your blister and offer a treatment plan that’s tailored to you. Reach out today for your consultation.