Pain or Swelling in Mouth

While it can range from sensitivity, bleeding gums, or even a burning sensation, many of us have experienced some form of pain inside our mouth. Pain and swelling of the mouth can occur anywhere such as on the tongue, gums, inside of cheeks, and on roof of the mouth. Patients who are experiencing severe mouth pain should contact their dentist right away as it could be a sign of something more severe. In order to properly treat the issue, it is vital to understand what is causing the pain and swelling.

Mouth Sores

Mouth sores can occur for a variety of reasons. One common type of mouth sore includes canker sores, which are small ulcers that develop on the inside of the cheek, tongue, and roof of the mouth. Canker sores are easy to identify with their white lesions and red border. Prior to being visible, canker sores can cause and tingling or burning sensation.

In most cases, canker sores heal on their own. However, the dentist may prescribe an antimicrobial mouth rinse, antibiotic, or corticosteroid to aid in the healing. There are other types of lesions, growths or sores which can develop in the mouth. Mouth sores can be a sign of a more severe problem such as oral cancer. If the sores are severe or last a long time, make an appointment with your dentist to ensure there is not another underlying cause.

Tooth or Mouth Injury

It is common to experience an injury to the mouth or tooth which results in mouth pain or swelling. Common accidental injuries include tripping and falling, biting your lip, cracking your tooth, scratching the gums, or burning your tongue. Based on the severity of the injury and extent of the damage, you may need to seek treatment from the dentist.

If you experience a cracked tooth, there will often be sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Pain may also come and go or be more noticeable when chewing food.

Tooth Decay

Throbbing or the occasional sharp pain which does not have a clear cause can be a symptom of tooth decay. Tenderness when eating or increased sensitivity to hot and cold may also indicate that you have a cavity which requires treatment. It is important to treat cavities as soon as possible to help preserve the tooth. For a mild cavity, a tooth-colored filling can often be used. In cases of severe decay, you may need a root canal.

Dry Mouth

The issue of a dry mouth is a chronic condition which develops when the salivary glands fail to keep the inside of the mouth moist. Saliva serves critical roles inside the mouth which includes cleaning debris and bacteria from the teeth and preventing the erosion of the teeth from acid.

Patients who suffer from dry mouth often feel thirsty, experience bad breath, mouth sores, have roughness on their tongue, develop cavities, or have swelling on the roof of the mouth. In minor cases of dry mouth, it can often be resolved with drinking more water and eating a balanced diet.

In more severe cases of dry mouth, you may need to seek professional treatment from your dentist. The dentist can determine what is causing your dry mouth and identify the best treatment plan which may include artificial saliva or medications to help increase your saliva production.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is one of the more common causes of oral health issues among adults in the United States. The early stage of gum disease, gingivitis, is caused from a buildup of plaque on the teeth and gums. The plaque decays the healthy structures inside the mouth and causes swollen, bleeding gums and foul breath.

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