| A problem with the jaw called temporomandibular joint syndrome can cause severe pain in the jaw, face, ear, or neck. Clenching, tooth grinding, or injury can all cause TMJ syndrome, but the results are often the same: pain, headaches, dizziness, even trouble swallowing. Treatment may involve rest, moist heat, a mouth guard, medication, or surgery. Sometimes it happens when you’re eating and, suddenly, you bite the side of your cheek. Or you notice a stinging and redness on your upper or lower lip and you know what’s coming: a cold sore. Or maybe you have a canker sore — one painful enough that it makes enjoying a meal difficult. You wouldn’t be alone. Show
Cold sores — also called fever blisters — are caused by herpes simplex virus 1. You might hear them called oral herpes, and they occur around and in the mouth. They’re contagious. Unlike cold sores, canker sores, which occur mainly inside the mouth, aren't contagious. They develop on the tissues in the mouth or at the base of the gums, and they can be quite painful. But whatever their type or origin, most of us have experienced painful sores on the mouth, lips, tongue, and inner cheek. And while they rarely call for a trip to the doctor, they can be embarrassing, especially if they are visible. Here’s what you need to know and what to do about these mostly harmless lesions. What causes lesions in your mouth? Sores on the tongue or inside the mouth may be caused by infections, inflammation, or stress. Other causes include gritting your teeth, especially while sleeping, gum disease, cold sores, canker sores, and food allergies. Are mouth lesions serious? Sores tend to clear up on their own in a week or two. If you have recurrent, very large, or painful sores, you might need to undergo tests to make sure there’s not an underlying health problem. What do lesions in the mouth look like? Look for redness, shininess, or swelling in your mouth. If you see a red ring around a white or yellow center, it may be a canker sore. Cold sores will look like blisters filled with fluid. What disease causes oral lesions? Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Recurrent canker sores may be due to rheumatologic conditions like lupus. Very rarely, mouth lesions may be caused by cancer. But in general, mouth lesions aren’t a sign of a serious condition. Do oral lesions go away? Mouth lesions often go away on their own. Canker sores and cold sores tend to clear up in a week or two. Check with your doctor or dentist, however, if you have large or painful sores that aren’t healing.
A person with a mouth or tongue lesion may have lumps, bumps, little ulcers, or cuts inside or outside of their mouth and lips. The first thing to do is to identify the problem, since there are many different types of sores. Use a bright light and a magnifying mirror to examine the inside of your mouth, even sticking out your tongue to check for lacerations or swelling on the top, bottom, and sides. You might want to check for any redness, shininess, or swelling in the mouth, on the gums, or on or under your tongue. You may also see white patches or pus in your mouth. You’ll know you have a canker sore if you see a red ring around a white or yellow center. They tend to be small — less than 1 millimeter — but may be up to 1 inch in diameter. Canker sores form on or under your tongue, inside your cheeks or lips, at the base of your gums, or at the back of the roof of your mouth.  There are three types of canker sores. There are simple or minor canker sores, which may appear several times a year and last about a week. Major or complex canker sores, which are less common, are larger, deeper, and could take months to heal, notes StatPearls. Cold sores are blisters filled with fluid. You can often feel a cold sore coming on before they show up. You’ll feel some tingling or burning in the area, or you might feel a sore throat. Related: How Do I Know if I Have Herpes or Something Else?
Sores on the tongue or inside the mouth may also be caused or exacerbated by other infections, inflammation, stress, or, very rarely, cancer. If the sore is deep, or if it gets irritated or infected, it may also bleed. Some mouth sores and lesions may have more obvious causes, such as sharp or broken teeth or braces with protruding wires. Gritting or gnashing your teeth, especially while sleeping, can cause tiny bites on the inside of your cheeks. Gum disease and inflammation can also cause bleeding in and around the gumline. Biting your tongue or chewing your lips can cause pain, swelling, and even small cuts. Drinking hot liquids, smoking cigarettes and cigars, and consuming alcoholic beverages can also lead to mouth lesions, as can brushing or flossing too vigorously or using a hard toothbrush. Cold sores, because they’re a form of herpes, are transmitted by oral-to-oral contact and through saliva, which means you can develop them through kissing or by sharing utensils with someone who has a cold sore. This type of herpes virus can also be transmitted to the genitals through oral-genital contact and cause genital herpes. (Herpes simplex virus 1 causes oral herpes and a different form of the virus — herpes simplex virus 2 — causes genital herpes.) While cold sores are caused by a virus, the exact cause of canker sores is unknown. But there are several things that can trigger an outbreak. These include food allergies, stress, hormonal changes, vitamin deficiencies, or even spicy foods. Acidic fruits and vegetables may also trigger canker sores. Often, people with recurrent canker sores have a family history of the disorder. They are also linked to rheumatologic conditions like lupus. (See below for other related conditions.)
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Your doctor or dentist can identify what kind of lesions or sores you have just by looking at your mouth. If you have recurrent, very large, or painful sores, you might need to undergo tests to make sure there’s not an underlying health problem. For cold sores, your doctor may test your blood for antibodies to herpes, yet this is not routinely done as the test results can be misleading. Make sure to contact your doctor if you’re experiencing a fever. Prognosis of Mouth LesionsTreatment isn't typically needed for sores, which tend to clear up on their own in a week or two.
As noted above, both canker sores and cold sores tend to go away on their own in a week or two. But complex canker sores last longer, may take several weeks to heal, and may cause scarring. Always check with your doctor or dentist if you have unusually large or painful canker sores or sores that don't seem to heal.
You can usually treat most common mouth sores or blisters yourself, at home, by taking a few simple steps or modifying your habits. Medication OptionsNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin or ibuprofen, can help alleviate pain. Medicated lip balms, especially those formulated for herpes 1 and canker sores, can also help. Depending on the type and size of the sore, or whether or not it is healing on its own, you may need antibiotics, an antiviral medication, an antiseptic mouthwash or a rinse containing the steroid dexamethasone to ease pain and swelling. Lidocaine is another pain-reducing option. Occasionally, a procedure known as cautery may be necessary, where the tissues of your mouth are burned and then sealed up by chemicals or another instrument. Alternative and Complementary TherapiesBaking soda rinses might help to alleviate pain. Applying ice, cold towels, or cooling ointments to afflicted areas may also soothe discomfort. As can applying small amounts of milk of magnesia on canker sores a few times a day. Be sure to use a soft brush to brush your teeth. It’s thought that sodium lauryl sulfate, a common ingredient in toothpastes, could also trigger canker sores, so it might be a good idea to find a toothpaste without it if you have recurrent sores, and also discuss with your dentist. More on Complementary Therapies When Stress Triggers a Herpes Outbreak, These Complementary Therapies May Calm It DownPrevention of Mouth LesionsIf you have cold sores, you should avoid kissing people when you have an outbreak — indeed, avoiding close contact altogether. Make sure to steer clear of people who have weakened immune systems, like newborns or those undergoing cancer treatment, notes Penn Medicine. It’s never a good idea to share lip balms, razors, toothbrushes, towels, or beverages, but it’s especially important to avoid doing so if you have a cold sore or feel one coming on. And while it may be tempting, try not to touch them. If you do, wash your hands. When your lips are free and clear of sores, use a lip balm with sunscreen, as sunburn is another trigger for cold sores, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Large, persistent, or unusually painful sores often need medical care.
It’s been estimated that about 27 percent of Americans experience mouth lesions. In the United States, the virus that causes cold sores (HSV-1) infects more than half the population by the time they’re in their twenties, according to the National Library of Medicine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women are more slightly likely to have HSV-1 than men (50.9 percent compared with 45.2 percent).In 2016, according to a May 2020 article in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization, an estimated 3.7 billion people worldwide had an HSV-1 infection. That’s 66.6 percent of the world’s population of adults ages 0 to 49. Related: Icky Mouth Mysteries Solved
Those with diseases of the immune system may be at risk of developing canker sores. These conditions include:
In Behçet’s disease, a rare chronic inflammatory condition that affects the blood vessels, a person may experience recurrent sores that could be confused for canker sores, notes the Cleveland Clinic. Deficiencies of the following nutrients may also lead to canker sores:
Up to 20 percent of canker sore cases may be related to deficiencies in folate, B vitamins, and iron — nutrients that help create blood cells. If you have recurrent oral lesions despite trying home remedies and waiting to see if they go away, it’s best to have a visit with your primary care doctor.
The American Dental Association’s Mouth Healthy website is a trustworthy and thorough source of information about dental hygiene.
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Use salt water or baking soda rinse (dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 cup warm water). Dab a small amount of milk of magnesia on your canker sore a few times a day. Avoid abrasive, acidic or spicy foods that can cause further irritation and pain.
What causes ulcers on inner lip?Mouth ulcers can sometimes be caused by certain medical conditions, such as: viral infections – including the cold sore virus, chickenpox, and hand, foot and mouth disease. vitamin B12or iron deficiency. Crohn's disease– a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.
What virus causes sores inside mouth?Some mouth sores are caused by the herpes virus. This is one of the germs that cause cold sores or fever blisters.
What does an ulcer on the inside of your lip look like?Mouth ulcers are easy to spot. They usually appear as sores on your lips, gums, tongue, inner cheeks or roof of the mouth. While red around the edges, mouth ulcers are typically white, yellow or gray in the center.
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What causes sores on the inside of your lip
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