Causes and Treatments for Painful Blood Blisters Inside the Mouth

What Causes Painful Blood Blisters Inside the Mouth?

Blood blisters in the mouth can be alarming and painful. But what causes these sore inflammations on the inner cheeks, tongue, lips or gums? This guide covers the common causes, symptoms, and home treatments to manage painful mouth blisters.

What is a Blood Blister?

A blood blister, or hematoma, is a buildup of blood underneath the top layer of skin. When damaged blood vessels leak blood near the surface, it pools into the space between the epidermis and dermis layers. The blood becomes trapped beneath the skin, forming a bruise-like lesion or blister.

The tissues inside the mouth are very delicate and vulnerable to injuries. Common causes of mouth blisters include:

• Accidental bites, cuts or wounds
• Irritation from sharp foods or dental work
• Forceful sucking on the cheeks or lips
• Sports injuries or falls
• Vigorous brushing of teeth or abrasive foods

Minor trauma that damages the inside lining allows blood to seep out and pool, creating a painful blister. These blisters appear as round, red or purple swellings on the gums, cheeks, tongue, palate, or lips.

Common Areas for Mouth Blisters

Blood blisters can develop anywhere inside the mouth but are most common in these high-friction areas:

• Tongue - Caused by biting, scalding foods, or oral piercings.
• Inner Cheeks - Often from forceful suction or rubbing against sharp molars.
• Lips - Frequent licking and biting can damage the delicate lip tissues.
• Roof of Mouth - Hot foods or abrasive chips easily injure the soft palate.
• Gums - Can arise after dental surgery or aggressive brushing.

Take note if you see a blister form soon after any irritation or injury inside your mouth. This can help identify the cause for proper treatment.

Are Mouth Blisters Contagious?

In most cases, blood blisters themselves are not contagious. They originate from damage to the individual's own mouth tissues. However, some infections that cause similar blisters are contagious through contact or bodily fluids. These include:

• Herpes simplex virus - Causes fever blisters around the mouth.
• Coxsackie virus - Leads to mouth ulcers in hand, foot and mouth disease.
• Strep or staph bacteria - Can infect existing mouth wounds.

Practice good hygiene around anyone with an active mouth infection. Avoid sharing food, drinks or kissing. See a doctor if your blister does not heal quickly on its own.

When to See a Doctor

Most minor mouth blisters resolve without medical care in 7-10 days. But seek evaluation if you have:

• Severe pain or difficulty eating/drinking
• Rapidly worsening redness and swelling
• Pus, yellow discharge or foul odor
• Fevers, chills or fatigue with the blister
• Numbness, drooling or changes in speech
• Blisters lasting longer than 2 weeks

These signs may indicate a deeper infection or abscess needing antibiotics or drainage. Oral cancer is rare but also important to rule out if you have a lingering mouth sore.

Causes and Risk Factors for Mouth Blisters

What leads to these troubling blisters forming inside the mouth? Common causes include:

Accidental Biting or Injury

Its easy to bite your tongue, lips or inner cheeks while talking, chewing, or during certain activities. Athletic mouth guards help protect during sports. Being aware of your mouths positioning can prevent accidental self-injury.

Abrasive, Hot or Spicy Foods

Chips with sharp edges, crispy bread crusts, and pine nuts can cut your mouths lining when chewing vigorously. Scalding hot soups or beverages can also blister the palate and tongue.

Dental Procedures and Braces

The inner mouth is vulnerable during invasive dental treatments. Cleanings, fillings, orthodontics or oral surgeries can lead to blood blisters through accidental cuts and abrasions.

Forceful Sucking or Friction

Habitual sucking, tongue thrusting, or cheek biting creates friction against the delicate oral membranes. This repetitive irritation often forms blisters.

Viral Infections

The herpes simplex virus causes painful fever blisters or cold sores on the lips, gums and roof of mouth. Other viruses like coxsackievirus lead to mouth ulcers during infection.

Mouth Cancer

Rarely, a chronic non-healing mouth ulcer may be oral cancer. See your dentist promptly if you have painful lesions lasting over 2 weeks.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Low iron, folate, vitamin B12 or zinc can make the oral mucosa thinner and more prone to mechanical irritation and blistering.

Oral Lichen Planus

This inflammatory condition affects mucous membranes inside the cheeks, gums and tongue. It frequently appears as open mouth sores or blisters.

Certain Medications

Some blood pressure medications, anti-inflammatories, and immune suppressing drugs list mouth ulcers as a side effect.

Treatments and Remedies for Painful Mouth Blisters

While annoying, most minor mouth blisters heal on their own within 10-14 days. You can manage irritation and discomfort at home with these remedies:

Avoid Irritants

Rest your mouth by eating only soft, lukewarm foods like soups, mashed potatoes or yogurt. Avoid spicy, salty, acidic or crunchy foods that can re-injure the area.

Apply Cold Compress

Gently holding an ice cube or cold pack against the blister reduces inflammation and pain. Do this for 5-10 minutes several times a day.

Try Over-the-Counter Ointments

Look for numbing or protective ointments at the drugstore with lidocaine or benzocaine. Also try OTC ulcer gels containing active ingredients like amlexanox or benzalkonium chloride.

Rinse with Salt Water

Gargle and swish diluted salt water around the painful area to keep it clean. Use 12 teaspoon salt dissolved in a cup of warm water 2-3 times daily.

Take Anti-Inflammatory Medication

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pills like ibuprofen help reduce swelling and discomfort from mouth blisters.

Apply Milk of Magnesia

This chalky suspension creates a protective film over mouth blisters, shielding them from irritation. Swish and spit out after use.

Try Healing Honey

Apply a small dab of Manuka honey to the lesion 2-3 times daily. Honey has natural antibacterial properties to promote healing.

Supplement with Vitamins

Take a daily multivitamin with zinc, B vitamins and iron if you frequently get mouth blisters due to deficiency.

How to Prevent Blood Blisters in Mouth

Once you have one painful mouth blister, you certainly want to avoid more. Here are some proactive steps to help prevent recurrence:

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Gently brush twice daily and floss once a day to keep your mouth clean. But take care not to overbrush or cause abrasions.

Wear a Mouth Guard During Sports

Protect your lips, gums and cheeks from sports impact injuries. Have your dentist create a customized guard.

Moisturize Your Lips

Keep your lips soft and less prone to cracking by applying lip balm with SPF protection.

Avoid Sharp Chips and Toasted Breads

Crunchy, abrasive foods often cut and irritate the lining of the mouth when chewing.

Be Gentle Removing Braces and Dental Work

Use care when brushing around orthodontics. Have your dentist remove irritating hardware as soon as possible.

Identify and Avoid Allergies

If certain foods or products cause mouth blisters, note them and steer clear in the future.

Quit Smoking and Tobacco Use

Smoking dries out your mouth and introduces carcinogens. Quit to lower mouth cancer risks.

Manage Stress Levels

Chronic stress can manifest with bruxism, cheek biting, and other habits causing mouth irritation.

When to Seek Medical Care

While home care heals most minor mouth blisters, consult a doctor or dentist if you have:

• Severe pain making it difficult to eat, drink or swallow
• Rapidly worsening redness, swelling or foul odor
• Oral lesions lasting longer than 2 weeks
• Numbness, drooling or difficulty speaking
• Fatigue, fever or unexplained weight loss

Seek prompt care if the blister does not improve in 10-14 days. Recurring blisters in the same area also warrant medical evaluation. Painful or lingering mouth sores could indicate an infection, autoimmune condition or even oral cancer in rare cases.

The Bottom Line

Blood blisters inside the mouth often arise from accidental injury such as biting your cheek or tongue. Hot foods and abrasive snacks can also damage the delicate oral lining, allowing blood to pool beneath. While painful, these minor mouth blisters usually heal within 7-10 days with proper care.

Try cold compresses, OTC numbing gels, soft foods and vitamins to help manage discomfort. Avoid re-injuring the area with spicy, crunchy or acidic foods in the short term. Proper dental hygiene, mouth guards and moisturizing lips can help prevent recurrence.

See a doctor promptly if mouth blisters last longer than 2 weeks, make eating very difficult or have pus or discharge. Persistent blisters could indicate an underlying condition needing treatment. But in most cases, blood blisters in the mouth resolve on their own with simple self-care measures.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.