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Mysterious Mouth Sores: Uncovering the Causes and Treatments

Got a pesky pimple, blister, ulcer, or sore in your mouth? While it might not be a major concern, it could indicate a serious condition like oral cancer or an STI. Stay informed and healthy by learning about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for mouth sores.

What are Mouth Sores?

Mouth sores are lesions that can appear anywhere on the soft tissues of your mouth, including the lips, gums, tongue, roof of your mouth, floor of your mouth, and inside of the cheeks. They can take many forms, from tiny blisters to large open sores, and may be painless or extremely uncomfortable.

Causes of Mouth Sores

Mouth ulcers and sores have numerous possible causes, ranging from short-term to long-term conditions. Some common causes include:

• Short-term causes: Canker sores, cold sores, trauma, allergies, stress, infectious mononucleosis, oral thrush, and hand, foot, and mouth disease
• Long-term causes: Celiac disease, nutritional deficiencies, HIV/AIDS, oral cancer, and pemphigus vulgaris

Symptoms of Mouth Sores

Mouth sores may look and feel different depending on the underlying cause. Common symptoms include:

• Pain: Ranging from seriously painful to completely painless
• Color: Appearing in various colors, from the same as the surrounding tissue to white, yellow, gray, red, or purple
• Size: Varying in size from a tiny dot to several centimeters wide
• Texture: Smooth, raised, bumpy, lumpy, velvety, or like a raspberry
• Location: Appearing on any part of the mouth, from the inner cheeks and tongue to the lips and gums
• Sensation: Tingling, burning, or itching at the sore’s location

Types of Mouth Sores

Some common types of mouth sores include:

• Canker sores: Small, round, open, and painful lesions
• Cold sores: Clusters of red, fluid-filled bumps caused by the herpes simplex virus
• Mucoceles: Harmless, painless mucus-filled cysts that can crop up on the lips or inner cheek
• Torus palatinus: A harmless, bony overgrowth on the roof of the mouth
• Candidiasis: A yeast infection that often affects newborns and people with weakened immune systems
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease: A viral infection that produces painful blisters and red bumps
• Epstein pearls: Small, harmless cysts common in newborns
• Hyperdontia: Additional teeth that can cause painful bumps on the roof of the mouth or behind other teeth
• Squamous papilloma: Non-cancerous growths with a bumpy, cauliflower-like texture caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you notice any mouth ulcers, sores, or bumps that don’t improve within a couple of weeks, or if you experience worsening symptoms, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Early detection and treatment are key to preventing serious health issues.

Bottom Line

Mouth sores can be related to various causes, from viruses and fungal infections to injuries and underlying health conditions. While they often don’t require extensive treatment and may go away on their own, it’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider if you’re concerned or if symptoms persist or worsen. Stay informed, stay healthy!