What You Need To Know About Mucocele

A single lump in the mouth that bothers us when speaking, eating and drinking is enough to make us worry. We tend to be anxious and imagine the worst case possible. We also browse the internet instead of going straight to professionals. What’s worse is that we find answers that tell us we have severe disease. Without proper knowledge, wrong measures may be taken and may result in further complications. That’s why Filipino orthodontists highly suggest people to go to premium dental clinics in Manila the moment they notice some issues or irregularities in their oral cavity.

(Read:3 Easy Steps to Follow to Get a Healthy Mouth)

Talk about these oral cavity issues, one of the most common is mucocele. Mucocele is characterized as a translucent (sometimes bluish) blister-like lesion that appears in the wetter skin of the lip, floor or roof of the mouth and surface of the tongue. It’s a benign soft tissue tumor present in the oral cavity and said to be a harmless cyst. However, if it continues to be bothersome, it is wise to be checked immediately.

Signs

The appearance of soft, round and dome-shaped mucocele is usually not painful. If it tends to be painful, it would only be sensitive to direct touching. It can grow from half to one inch and may impede when eating, drinking and speaking. There are times that it may also swell or burst. It can also last form 3 to 6 weeks and possibly stay longer than that depending on the activities of the mouth.

Causes
The saliva and mucus move from a salivary gland through tiny ducts present in your mouth. When these ducts are subjected to frequent lip biting, excessive sucking or being hit by a blow or blunt object, they become damaged and blocked. Hence, mucus and saliva seeps out from the affected ducts, pools, separates and causes a cyst-like swelling. Moreover, orthodontists in Manila say that dental braces also contribute to the presence of these mucoceles. The metal wire and brackets rub to the mouth tissues and sustain the mechanical trauma.

Cure

Mucoceles are not contagious, infectious and harmful. The only downside is that they can cause inconvenience in the daily activities of the person affected by it. They also often go away without treatment. However, with the advancement of dentistry, there are now several treatments present that may completely remove a mucocele and products that may prevent the need of having a mucocele surgery.

1. Gland Removal

This is a surgery wherein a dentist or an oral surgeon uses a scalpel or laser to remove the mucocele as well as the affected salivary gland.

2. Marsupialization

A technique used by dentists that involves putting a stitch through the mucoceles to gently press out saliva and encourage a new duct to form.

3. Usage of Dental Products

Brushes, toothpaste and mouthwash help in keeping the mouth clean by eliminating 99 percent of bacteria. This helps the mucocele to heal prevent further complications.

Aside from mucoceles, there are other types of lumps that can appear in the oral cavity. To know more about the signs, causes and cures of other dental issues, visit an orthodontist in Manila today.\