PO Box 837
301 Linville Street
Glen Alpine, NC  28628
Phone (828) 584-2481
Fax (828) 584-8371
 
 
 
 
 

Our Providers
Meet the Staff

Hours of Operation

Insurance

Contact Us
Patient Forms

Patient Education

 

 
 

 
Choose a different Symtom

Compliments of American Academy Of  Family Physicians

Mouth Problems in Infants and Children

Printer-friendly version
   
Many different causes exist for a child's sore mouth. This chart will help you to decide how to best care for this problem.


 

SYMPTOMS   DIAGNOSIS   SELF-CARE
Begin here        
1. Does your child have a fever? Yes --> Go to Question 5.*    
No, go down        
2. Is your infant drooling, possibly with a low fever that comes and goes? Yes --> These are symptoms of TEETHING. --> Use medicines for teething, acetaminophen for discomfort and cool teething rings for gnawing. See your doctor if you suspect an ear infection.
No, go down        
3. Does your child have symptoms of cold or flu--fever, aches, chills, sore throat, runny nose or cough? Yes --> Rarely, the mouth may become red, swollen and sore with a VIRAL ILLNESS. --> See your doctor.
No, go down        
4. Does he or she have a sore throat with the fever? Yes --> STREP THROAT or a REACTION TO A VIRAL ILLNESS can cause the mouth to become inflamed and sore. --> See your doctor.
No, go down        
*5. Is the tongue swollen or sore, with or without a fever? Yes --> A swollen or tender tongue can be from a DRUG REACTION or possibly from an INFECTION. --> See your doctor.
No, go down        
6. Does the child have small, open sores in the mouth or on the tongue or lips? Yes --> These may be CANKER SORES. They may be caused by viral infections. --> Oral sprays or lozenges to numb the pain are commonly used. If the sores become numerous or very tender, see your doctor.
No, go down        
7. Does the child have a sore, bluish lump on the tongue, lips or gums? Yes --> These are often benign collections of mucus under the skin called MUCOCELES. These are usually small, about the size of a pea or smaller. --> See your doctor or dentist.
No, go down        
8. Does the child have a painful, tan, crusted lesion on the lip that may have started as a group of blisters or a single blister? Yes --> These are likely to be viral COLD SORES, caused by the herpes virus. --> These may look like impetigo, so have your doctor check this sore if you are unsure of its cause. Use cold-sore gels or ointments for comfort. Your doctor may suggest prescription medicine for recurrent episodes.
No, go down        
9. Was the infant born with a lip or mouth problem or deformity? Yes --> There are a few benign and common deformities, such as TORUS PALATINUS, in which there is a lump in the roof of the mouth. Other deformities, such as CLEFT PALATE, may need surgical repair. --> See your doctor.
No, go down        
For more information, please consult your doctor. 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
 

 
 
 

Designed By:  Watts Computer Specialist