Have you ever been amazed at how quickly a cut or sore spot in your mouth heals? Those cuts or scrapes from a crunchy snack or small burns from hot drinks can be painful and cause swelling, but only a few hours later you’re on to your next meal. Let’s take a scientific look at why this is the case. Three things contribute to a super quick oral healing process.
Simplicity of Oral Tissue Regeneration
In contract to organ or skin tissue, the oral tissue tends to repair itself very quickly. Most of the tissue lining your cheeks, gums, tongue, and inner lips is mucous. Mucous tissue is primarily made up of ground substance, the mucous-like layer that cells float around in, with some fibers and cells for connective purposes. In contrast, skin tissue has several layers of ectodermic tissue to reconstruct when it is wounded. Since Mucous Tissue has a much simpler composition, it also has a faster, more straightforward regeneration process and shorter time period.
A Regular Blood Supply
In addition to a simpler structure, the easy access to blood supply makes healing the oral cavity a lot faster. Mucous tissue is highly vascular, meaning it’s very rich in blood vessels. The blood brings a lot of nutrients and oxygen to the damage site to ramp up healing production. The oral cavity also happens to be very close to the head and neck, which both have a seemingly endless and readily available stream of blood.
Healing Properties of Oral Fluids
A study performed in the Netherlands and published on ScienceDaily.com in 2008 revealed that human saliva also may greatly affect how quickly wounds of the mouth heal. Specifically,the small protein found in saliva called histatin did more than previously thought. Up until that time, it was known as an antibacterial agent. But the study found that a wound created in a culture of cell growth healed in just over 16 hours, while the non-treated culture hadn’t closed all the way. A small protein in saliva previously only believed to kill bacteria was responsible for the healing.
Another enzyme found in mucous tissue and saliva is called secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor(SLPI) is also involved in most bodily healing procedures. Its properties also include anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-fungal. It’s also been recently shown by NIDCR investigators that SLPI actually blocks HIV-1 infection. They’re like bouncers for our immune systems.
Your Body’s Got It Under Control
Your body knows what it’s doing when it comes to healing. You shouldn’t worry if you or a family member gets a cut or sore in your mouth. It will heal at lightning speed. If you’d like to help it along, don’t over think it. Gurgling or rinsing the mouth with saline can aid in sealing up the wound. A black or green tea bag that’s been submerged in hot water and cooled down can be pressed onto a wound to prevent infection because of the anti-bacterial properties in the tea’s tannins. Similarly, drops of diluted essential oils can keep the wound clean. Try to drink even more water than normal to make sure the body has what it needs to bolster saliva and mucous tissue production. Then rest assured your mouth will be back to normal in no time.
FAQs
Mucous tissue is highly vascular, meaning it's very rich in blood vessels. The blood brings a lot of nutrients and oxygen to the damage site to ramp up healing production. The oral cavity also happens to be very close to the head and neck, which both have a seemingly endless and readily available stream of blood.
Why does the mouth heal faster than other parts of the body? ›
One of the factors implicated in this phenomenon is the presence of saliva, which promotes the healing of oral wounds in several ways. Saliva creates a humid environment, which improves the survival and functioning of inflammatory cells that are crucial for wound healing.
How fast do mouth wounds heal? ›
Cuts inside the mouth heal faster than cuts anywhere else on the body. They tend to heal on their own, in a matter of days, without stitches. Scientists have studied why oral wounds heal faster. The rich blood supply in the face and mouth help speed recovery.
Does saliva speed up healing? ›
Oral wounds heal faster and with less scar formation than skin wounds. One of the key factors involved is saliva, which promotes wound healing in several ways. Saliva creates a humid environment, thus improving the survival and functioning of inflammatory cells that are crucial for wound healing.
What are the fastest healing parts of your body? ›
Which Part of the Body Heals the Fastest? Muscles and tendons generally heal the fastest. These parts of the body recover more quickly thanks to an ample blood supply. The circulatory system provides muscles with plenty of nutrients and oxygen needed for healing.
What promotes healing in the mouth? ›
Saltwater rinses may help healing. To make a saltwater solution for rinsing the mouth, mix 1 tsp of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Eat soft foods that are easy to swallow. Avoid foods that might sting.
Why does oral mucosa heal faster than skin? ›
Not only does saliva naturally provide a wet environment in the oral cavity during wound healing, it also contains a myriad of peptides and proteins such as growth factors (epidermal growth factor or EGF, vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF, and fibroblast growth factors or FGFs) and histatins, which stimulate ...
What helps wounds heal faster in mouth? ›
You can easily do inner lip wound care at home. Rinse with salt water or a 1:1 solution of hydrogen peroxide and water multiple times a day, like after meals. Salt water rinses have been shown to help your body heal. Don't swallow these solutions, especially not hydrogen peroxide.
What heals mouth sores the fastest? ›
How to cure mouth ulcers fast naturally
- Drink plenty of water.
- Practice good oral hygiene to keep your mouth as clean as possible.
- Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater a few times each day.
- Make a mixture of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water and rinse your mouth twice a day.
Wounds heal faster if they are kept warm. Try to be quick when changing dressings. Exposing a wound to the open air can drop its temperature and may slow healing for a few hours. Don't use antiseptic creams, washes or sprays on a chronic wound.
Although human saliva contains some compounds that aid in healing, the mouth is also home to a host of bacteria that are perfectly safe in the oral cavity, but may be dangerous if introduced into a deep wound through saliva. The principal risk of licking wounds is infection, especially in immunocompromised patients.
Can kisses heal wounds? ›
The biological equilibrium of the mouth enhances its antimicrobial environment. Saliva cleans the wound by lavage, promoting healing while protecting injured tissues.
Do kissing cuts help? ›
As well as keeping the mouth moist and reducing levels of harmful bacteria, saliva contains a protein that encourages the movement of cells in ways that help wounds to heal.
What makes healing faster? ›
Along with adopting a healthy diet rich in protein and vitamins that help wound healing, it's also essential to make sure you're getting some physical activity, especially if you have diabetes. Regular exercise is a great way to improve a multitude of health conditions and your general wellbeing .
Does saliva have healing properties? ›
Saliva contains cell-derived tissue factor, and many compounds that are antibacterial or promote healing. Salivary tissue factor, associated with microvesicles shed from cells in the mouth, promotes wound healing through the extrinsic blood coagulation cascade.
Do tongue cuts heal fast? ›
Most minor cuts to the mouth or tongue heal quickly with no specific treatment. You should see your doctor if: your mouth or tongue becomes very swollen or painful. you notice discharge coming from the wound.
Why is the body so slow to heal? ›
The factors discussed include oxygenation, infection, age and sex hormones, stress, diabetes, obesity, medications, alcoholism, smoking, and nutrition. A better understanding of the influence of these factors on repair may lead to therapeutics that improve wound healing and resolve impaired wounds.
Why don't mouth wounds get infected? ›
Oral mucosa heals faster than skin, suggesting that saliva may have properties that aid wound healing. Saliva contains cell-derived tissue factor, and many compounds that are antibacterial or promote healing.
Why is the mouth the most important part of the body? ›
But the mouth is the entry to the digestive tract. That's the long tube of organs from the mouth to the anus that food travels through. The mouth also is the entry to the organs that allow breathing, called the respiratory tracts.
