When should a mouth lesion or sore be checked?
You have to discuss it with the dentist. That's why it's good to have it checked while the lesion is still there. In my case, I would check it first and then ask some questions: how long has it been there, or when did you notice it?
If I think that it could be a laceration or a cut, I would ask you if you ate something crunchy that might have cut it or something that might have irritated the area. This is the kind of information I'll ask about so I can better understand what might be causing it.
What are the most common mouth sores you see?
The most common mouth sores that we see include cuts, irritation, soreness in the cheek or tongue, and redness in the area. The cheek is another common spot. That's something that you can sometimes feel with your tongue. If you feel something that isn't smooth or there's a bump in there, that's something you should have checked.
What can cause sore spots or lesions in the mouth?
There are a lot of things that can cause sore spots in your mouth, whether they're on the tongue or cheek. One is trauma, like when you're eating and accidentally bite your lip or tongue. Certain foods can also irritate the tissues in your mouth.
If you just got a new denture, you can also have what we call pressure spots from an area that isn't fitting comfortably. If you have braces, they might rub against your cheek or tongue. Those are some of the things that can trigger soreness in your mouth.
Can dental appliances cause mouth irritation or sores?
Yes. Dental appliances like mouth guards, braces, and dentures can cause irritation, especially if there's an area that isn't smooth or is rubbing against your cheek or tongue.
When you're getting used to something like a new denture, you may also have to adjust how you speak with it. Sometimes during that adjustment period, you can accidentally bite your cheek or tongue. If an appliance is repeatedly causing soreness or irritation, that's something you should have checked.
What happens when I see the dentist for a mouth sore?
First things first, when you go see the dentist, talk with them about it and make sure the area is examined. In my case, I would look at it and then ask questions like: when did you notice it? How long has it been there? Is it sensitive when you touch it? Does it hurt when you talk or sting when you eat something sour?
Your answers, along with what I see during the examination, can help me determine what might be causing the area and whether it needs further evaluation.
Are mouth sores contagious?
Some are contagious, and some are not. For example, a canker sore isn't contagious, but a cold sore is. It depends on what kind of mouth sore you have and what's causing it.
Can a mouth sore affect dental treatment?
Sometimes, if the sore is going to interfere with treatment, we may need to wait for it to heal. Let's say, for example, you have a cracked lip and I have to pull your cheek during treatment. That could make you uncomfortable and irritate the area further. Depending on the situation and how urgent your dental treatment is, we may recommend allowing the area to heal first.
How do you check for abnormal areas in the mouth?
In my office, I check the oral tissues as part of my dental exams. My patients know this. Actually, one of my patients told me, "Hey, Doc, I got it. I know now how you want us to always stick our tongue out."
Basically, every time I do my exam, I have them stick out their tongue so I can check it, especially the sides of the tongue. I also look at the surrounding tissues to see if there's anything that appears abnormal or needs further evaluation.
What if you see something suspicious on the tongue or cheek?
If I see something on the tongue or cheek that concerns me, I'll ask questions. I might ask, "Have you noticed a cut on your tongue?" If the patient says no, I'll ask if they recently bit their tongue or ate something that could have injured the area.
Sometimes patients forget and then remember after I ask them a question. I had a patient where I saw a cut on his cheek, and I asked him, "Did you eat something crunchy?" He said, "Yes, I remember now. I ate crackers." That gave us some useful information about what might have caused it.
But I still had him come back in a couple of weeks for a follow-up check to make sure that it had healed.
Should I ignore a minor mouth sore if it seems small?
For me, if there's something that you feel isn't normal or is concerning to you, I would encourage you to have it checked by your dentist rather than just ignoring it. Even if it seems minor, having it evaluated can help determine what it is and whether any additional care is needed.
When do you worry about oral cancer?
One important thing with oral cancer is paying attention to a lesion or sore that doesn't heal. If I suspect that a lesion is from trauma, like biting your tongue, I may ask you to come back in about two weeks so I can check whether it has healed.
If it's still there at the follow-up, I would want it evaluated further. Depending on what the area looks like and other findings, that may involve referring you to an appropriate specialist and determining if a biopsy or other testing is needed.
How are different mouth sores treated?
Treatment depends on what's causing the mouth sore. If it's something that appears to be from minor trauma, we may recommend supportive care while the area heals. If it's a cold sore caused by the herpes simplex virus, antiviral medication may be appropriate in some cases. There are different treatment options for different types of lesions, so first we need to determine what's causing the problem.
What is the difference between a canker sore and a cold sore?
A canker sore is something that you find inside the mouth. It usually has a white or yellowish center with a red border, and it isn't contagious.
A cold sore is different. Cold sores usually appear as blisters around the lips and are caused by the herpes simplex virus, so they are contagious. That's a big difference between the two, and the treatment can be different depending on which type of sore you have.
Why is it important to have a mouth lesion checked?
It's very important to have an unusual or persistent area checked. I had a patient where I saw a lesion and asked him to come back in two weeks, but he didn't. When I followed up with him, the area was still there, so I referred him to an oral surgeon for further evaluation.
It turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma involving his tongue. Thankfully, he received treatment and recovered. That's why I encourage my patients not to ignore an unusual area that isn't healing. Have it checked so we can determine if it needs further evaluation.
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