A cut that crosses the edge of your lip needs careful repair

Tips from an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and an emergency physician

For survivors and families3 min read

Face and mouth injuriesLip cutsCuts and lacerationsWound careGlass in wounds

The vermilion border is the line where the colored part of your lip meets the skin around it. Even a slight mismatch along this line can show once a cut heals. A crash can also leave glass or a broken tooth in the wound. Or the cut may go all the way through the lip into the mouth. If a cut crosses this border, have it checked soon by someone skilled in facial repair. [1, 2]

Get your whole mouth checked

Tell the team what hit your face and whether a tooth chipped or went missing. Ask them to check how deep the cut is, along with the inside of your mouth, your teeth and your jaw. A missing piece of tooth may be lodged in the lip. A wound that reaches the muscle or goes through the lip may need to be closed in layers. Lining up the border exactly is a big part of closing the wound. [1, 2]

Looking after the repair

Follow your doctor’s directions on cleaning the wound, eating, pain relief and having stitches removed. Protect the area from another bump. Ask what to do if the wound opens, bleeds again or keeps getting more swollen. [1]

Don’t pick off a scab or put makeup or other cosmetic products on a fresh repair. If the wound was dirty, check whether your tetanus protection needs an update. [1]

Changes that need care

Bleeding that won’t stop needs urgent care. So do trouble breathing or swallowing, a bite that feels different or a loose tooth. After the cut is closed, report fever, pus, redness that spreads or pain that gets worse. [1, 2]

Questions for the doctor who repairs your lip

  1. Does the cut reach into my mouth or the lip muscle?
  2. Was the border lined up, and were tooth pieces ruled out?
  3. When should my stitches and healing be checked?

Speak up about the lip border

When you get care, say that the cut crosses the colored edge of your lip. [1]

Sources and further reading

  1. 1American Academy of Family Physicians, laceration repair
  2. 2American Academy of Family Physicians, head and neck injuries

Meant as general education from oral and maxillofacial surgery and emergency medicine. A deep or complicated cut on the face needs an exam in person. Don’t glue or trim a lip wound yourself.

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