Shop Plans
Health
Find a Health Plan
We offer a complete choice of plans to meet your coverage needs and fit your budget.
More Plans
Travel
Cancer
VIP
Dental
Get a Dental Plan
We offer three Traditional plans and three Certified plans to meet your needs.
Medicare
Pick a Medicare Plan
Thinking about your Medicare options? Find out which plan is right for you.
Find Doctor or Drug
Find a Doctor
Find a Doctor or Drug
Pick a directory to search or find other helpful information about drug resources, quality programs and more.
Directories
Louisiana Provider Directory
Quality Blue Directory
National Provider Directory
BlueDental Advantage Plus Directory
Davis Vision Directory
Hospital Based Physicians
ER/OR Information
Are you planning a hospital stay? If you just found out that you need surgery, or if you will be admitted to a hospital or ambulatory surgical center for any reason, you will most likely receive some care during your stay from a hospital-based physician. Learn more.
Other Directories
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core
Federal Employee Program (FEP)
Rx Drug Resources
Manage your medicine, find drug lists and learn how to save money.
Quality Programs
Quality Blue Programs
We work with doctors, hospitals and clinics around Louisiana to make sure you have a better healthcare experience.
Save Money
$25 Gym Memberships
Find a Gym
For just $25 a month and a $25 enrollment fee, you'll have access to 9,000 participating fitness locations around the state and nation.
More Money-Saving Tips
Find Discounts
Lower Drug Costs
Preventive Care Services
Primary Care Doctor
Pick a Primary Care Doctor
Picking a primary care doctor is an important step to staying healthy and saving money.
Choose the Right Care
Where you and go and who you see for treatment is a big part of getting quality healthcare while saving money.
Wellness
Discounts
Get discounts on gym memberships, fitness gear, healthy eating, prescriptions and more.
More Wellness Tips
Tools
Member Programs
Find a Program
Whether you want to quit smoking or find the right doctor, we have many programs to help.
Wellness Library
Learn About Wellness
Read articles, take quizzes, watch videos and listen to podcasts about many health topics.
Learn
Insurance 101
Learn the Basics
Understand your plan, learn about health savings accounts, and watch helpful videos.
Social
Find Us on Social Media
Join the conversation and stay connected with us for exclusive content.
Straight Talk
Get Straight Answers
If you're looking for a straight answer to your healthcare questions, this is the place.
My Account
My Account Information
Claims
Benefits
Costs
Statements
Pharmacy
Manage Account
Manage Your Account
Pay your bill, view your statements or update your email or password.
Forms
Other Coverage Questionnaire
Authorized Delegate
Health Assessment
Children often get minor cuts and wounds to the mouth and lips while playing, climbing, or joining in sports activities. Most of these injuries can be handled at home with simple first aid treatment. The gums, tongue, and lips have a lot of blood supply. When cuts happen, these areas may bleed a lot. These areas also tend to heal quickly and are less likely to need stitches than other parts of the body.
To take care of cuts and wounds:
Calm your child and let him or her know you can help.
Apply pressure with a clean cloth or bandage for several minutes to stop bleeding.
Wash your hands well.
If the wound is on the lips or outside area of the mouth, wash it well with soap and water once it has stopped bleeding. Do not scrub the wound. Remove any dirt particles from the area and let the water from the faucet run over it for several minutes. A dirty cut or scrape that is not well cleaned can cause scarring. Then:
Apply an antiseptic lotion or cream.
Give your child an ice pop or ice cube to suck on to help reduce bleeding and swelling.
Check the area each day and keep it clean and dry.
Don't blow on the wound, as this can cause germs to grow.
Use a sunscreen (sun protection factor, or SPF, at least 15 or greater) on healed cuts and wounds to help prevent scarring.
If the wound is inside the mouth, rinse the area well with cool water for several minutes. Remove any dirt particles from the area. Then:
Check the area each day and keep it clean.
Even small cuts on the lips may cause a visible difference in the border or outline of the lips. These wounds may need stitches to keep the borders even and reduce the possibility of scars. Cuts that happen in the corner of the mouth where the upper and lower lips come together can have very severe bleeding.
Cuts inside the mouth, even if they appear large, often heal on their own without the need for stitches.
Bruises, blisters, or swelling on the lips caused by injury may be treated by sucking on ice pops or ice cubes or by applying a cold pack to the area every 1 to 2 hours for 10 to 15 minutes for the first 24 hours.
Your child's healthcare provider will talk with you about treatment for cuts and wounds of the mouth that need more than minor treatment at home. In general, get your child quick medical attention for cuts and wounds of the mouth that are:
Bleeding and do not stop after 5 to10 minutes of direct pressure. If the bleeding is profuse, hold pressure for 5 to 10 minutes without stopping to look at the cut. If the cloth becomes soaked with blood, put a new cloth on top of the old cloth. Do not lift the original cloth. Keep in mind that facial wounds often bleed heavily, even under normal circumstances.
Deep or longer than 1/2 inch
Large and on the face
Caused by a puncture wound or dirty or rusty object
Embedded with debris, such as dirt, stones, or gravel
Ragged or have separated edges
Caused by an animal or human bite
Extremely painful or if you suspect a fracture or head or bone injury
Showing signs of infection, such as increased warmth, redness, swelling, or fluid leaking
A cut that goes from the inside of the mouth through to the outside
A cut that goes through the border or outline of lip
Also get your child medical care if:
Your child has not had a tetanus shot within the past 5 years, or if you are unsure when your child's last tetanus shot was given
You are concerned about the wound or have any questions
To prevent mouth injuries in children:
Teach your child never to walk or run while holding an object in his or her mouth.
Teach your child not to suck or chew on hard, sharp, or pointed objects, such as pencils.
Have your child wear a mouth guard for sports activities that could cause injury.