What are lip, tongue, or mouth lesions?
Lip, tongue, or mouth lesions are abnormal areas that can appear on the soft tissues in or around the mouth. They can have several different appearances. You might notice a white patch, a red area or bump, a raised area, or an ulcer where the surface of the tissue has broken down.
Some lesions may be painful, while others may cause no symptoms at all. Because many different conditions can look similar, an examination may be needed to determine what's causing the area of concern.
What is a common type of mouth lesion?
One common type of mouth lesion is an aphthous ulcer, commonly known as a canker sore. These sores generally heal on their own within a limited period of time.
However, there are other oral lesions that can look similar to a canker sore. If an area isn't healing as expected, the doctor may want to reevaluate it and determine whether additional testing is needed.
What causes ulcers in the mouth?
Many different things can cause ulcers in the mouth. Trauma from biting the tissue, dental appliances, or hot foods can create an ulcer. Certain medications or underlying medical conditions can also contribute to oral sores.
Aphthous ulcers can have several possible triggers, and stress may be associated with outbreaks in some people. Because there isn't one cause for every oral ulcer, persistent or recurring lesions should be evaluated.
Can mouth lesions be contagious?
Some mouth lesions can be associated with contagious infections, including certain viral conditions. Other common lesions, such as aphthous ulcers, aren't contagious.
Whether a particular lesion can spread to someone else depends on what's causing it, so an accurate diagnosis is important when there's a concern about infection.
Can I get dental work done while I have an active mouth sore?
A common question that comes up is whether you can get dental work done while you have an active mouth sore. First, we need to determine what type of lesion is present, where it's located, and whether treatment could irritate the area or there is a concern about an active infection.
In many situations, dental treatment can still be performed, but the decision depends on the cause of the lesion and the dental procedure being planned.
When are tongue lesions evaluated?
The tongue and other soft tissues of the mouth can be evaluated as part of a comprehensive or periodic dental examination. We look for changes in color, texture, shape, ulceration, swelling, or other findings that may need further evaluation.
This examination can help identify abnormalities that may otherwise go unnoticed, although not every oral lesion can be diagnosed by appearance alone.
When does a mouth sore need professional attention?
Many minor mouth sores heal on their own. However, if you notice a lesion that hasn't healed within about two weeks, it's a good idea to have it evaluated by a dental or medical professional.
You should also seek evaluation for an area that's getting larger, repeatedly bleeding, changing in appearance, becoming unusually firm, or causing other persistent symptoms.
Should patients be evaluated for mouth lesions?
Evaluation of the oral soft tissues is an important part of dental care. This includes looking for persistent or unusual changes that may require monitoring or additional evaluation.
Some white, red, ulcerated, or otherwise abnormal areas may need to be followed over time, referred to another provider, or biopsied to determine exactly what they are.
If you notice a persistent change in the tissues of your mouth, don't wait for it to become painful before bringing it to your dental professional's attention.
What treatment options are available for mouth lesions?
There are several possible treatment options because there are many different causes of mouth lesions. Essentially, we first need an accurate diagnosis and then treat the underlying condition appropriately.
Some traumatic lesions may improve after the source of irritation is removed. Other conditions may require medication or management by a dental or medical professional. Depending on the suspected cause, we may also coordinate care with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, oral medicine specialist, dermatologist, primary care physician, or another appropriate provider.
If a lesion has suspicious features or doesn't resolve as expected, a biopsy may be recommended. A biopsy allows tissue to be examined so that an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan can be established.
When should I see a dental professional about a mouth lesion?
If you notice a lesion in your mouth that doesn't resolve within about two weeks, schedule an evaluation with a dental or medical professional. You should also have an area evaluated sooner if it's rapidly changing, significantly swollen, repeatedly bleeding, or causing other concerning symptoms.
Want to learn more? Call Periodontics and Implant Dentistry of Tallahassee at (850) 909-9731 or email [email protected]. Our team is happy to answer your questions and help schedule your visit.