What should you do for a mouth injury with bleeding?

What should you do for a mouth injury with bleeding?

• A. Have the person lead forward, try to apply direct pressure
• B. Tilt head back to allow blood to flow back
• C. Remove any object with fingers
• D. Rinse with warm water and no pressure

Answer: (A)

Stopping bleeding from a mouth injury hinges on applying direct pressure at the site and keeping the airway clear by having the person lean forward slightly. Use clean gauze or cloth and press firmly to the bleeding area, and have them bite down gently to help maintain that pressure. Hold it for several minutes until the bleeding slows or stops; this direct pressure promotes clot formation and helps seal the wound. Do not tilt the head backward, because that can cause blood to run into the throat and lead to choking or swallowing blood. Do not try to remove objects with fingers, as that can worsen the injury. Rinsing with water alone won’t stop the bleeding, so focus on applying pressure first, then rinse if needed after the bleeding is controlled.