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Mouth Problems

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SYMPTOMS		DIAGNOSIS		SELF-CARE
1. Is the person an infant or child?		See Mouth Problems in Infants and Children.
2. Do you have pain in your mouth?		Go to Question 7.*.
3. Do you have a painless, hard coating on the inside of your mouth or on your tongue?		This lesion may be a precancerous mass called LEUKOPLAKIA, more common in those who use tobacco.		See your doctor. Refrain from using tobacco products to help prevent oral cancers.
4. Do you have a painless lump on the inside of your lip, the outside of your lower lip or on your face from the corners of your mouth downward?		This lesion may be SQUAMOUS CELL SKIN cancer.		See your doctor.
5. Do you have a painless, growing lump or mass on your tongue?		A growing, fleshy mass can be CANCEROUS. A bluish bump can be a noncancerous collection of mucus called a MUCOCELE.		See your doctor.
6. Do you get a swelling under your tongue or in your cheek, especially after you eat?		You could have a blockage in a salivary duct, possibly caused by a SALIVARY DUCT STONE.		If the swelling doesn't go away within a few days or if there's redness and tenderness, consult your doctor promptly.
*7. Do you have small, open sores on the lips, tongue, sides or back of your mouth?		These sores are called CANKER SORES. They usually occur by themselves or with other viral illnesses.		These sores usually heal in seven to 14 days. Use an anesthetic spray or an oral medicine such as an analgesic. If the sores become numerous or if the pain is severe, see your doctor.
8. Do you have a sore on your lip that is red and crusted?		This could be a COLD SORE, caused by a type of herpes virus.		Analgesic medicines and ointments can help relieve the discomfort.
9. Do you have a red, swollen tongue or lips?		This may be an ALLERGIC REACTION to a MEDICINE or a reaction to a VIRUS or other ALLERGEN.		URGENT Contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room if you have any trouble breathing. An antihistamine may help relieve allergy symptoms.
10. Do you have redness and swelling of the gums?		You may have GINGIVITIS or TRENCH MOUTH.		See your dentist or doctor. Regular brushing and flossing may prevent these problems.
11. Do you have whitish patches on your tongue or on the sides or back of your mouth?		This is likely to be a yeast infection of the mouth, CANDIDIASIS (ORAL THRUSH).		This infection could be from a more serious illness and should be checked by your doctor.
12. Do you wear dentures that seem to rub your gums or irritate your mouth?		MISFITTING DENTURES can cause mouth pain.		Check with your dentist.
13. Do you have redness, swelling or tenderness around a tooth?		You may have an infection in or around one of your teeth, possibly due to a cavity or DENTAL CARIES.		Check with your dentist. Regular brushing and flossing may prevent these problems.
14. Do you have cracking or open sores in the corners of your mouth?		These tender sores may result from a vitamin deficiency or from chapped lips.		Use a soothing ointment on these cracked areas. Take riboflavin and/or a multivitamin if you think your diet isn't adequate.
For more information, please consult your doctor or dentist. If you think the problem is serious, call right away.

This tool has been reviewed by doctors and is for general educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information in this tool should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health. Always consult your family doctor with questions about your individual condition(s) and/or circumstances. Source: American Academy of Family Physicians. Family Health & Medical Guide. Dallas: Word Publishing; 1996.

Copyright © 2006 American Academy of Family Physicians