Mouth Pain- Causes – symptoms - treatment
What Might Be Inflicting the Pain in Your Mouth, and What Can You Do?
Many of us have felt pain in our mouths at one time or another, whether it was discomfort when chewing, a painful tongue, or a burning feeling.
But what could be the source of it? Numerous conditions, such as wounds, ulcers, and traumas, can result in mouth discomfort.
Learn more about mouth pain's possible origins, possible treatments, and why it's crucial to consult a doctor by reading on.
What may hurt inside your mouth?
There are several places in the mouth where pain can arise, including the:
tongue gums, back of mouth, roof of mouth, inside of cheeks, and back of mouth gums.
The general reasons for mouth discomfort that might affect various oral regions are discussed below.
The disorders that might affect your tongue or gums and produce discomfort there will be covered in more detail later.
Injury
You could get mouth discomfort as a result of an accident-related injury. For instance, you could bite your mouth or the sides of your cheeks if you slip and fall. The inside of your mouth may become painful and irritated as a result.
By biting onto very hot food, you might potentially hurt your mouth. The roof of your mouth, or hard palate, may become burned as a result.
Mouth ache
Saliva is produced by your salivary glands and keeps the inside of your mouth wet. Dry mouth can result from inadequate saliva production by these glands.
This may result in mouth sores, a rough tongue, a dry mouth feel, and a burning sensation in the mouth.
Dehydration is frequently the cause of dry mouth. But it can also be brought on by some drugs or an underlying medical condition like diabetes.
You may notice a canker sore, a small sort of ulcer, on the inside of your cheeks, the area surrounding your tongue, or the rear of your mouth's roof (soft palate). They frequently take the form of red-bordered white lesions.
There are several things that might cause canker sores. Among the most typical are:
vitamins
deficits under stress and food sensitivities
A viral infection alters hormone levels.
Prior to the appearance of some canker sores, you could experience tingling or burning.
Herpes Simplex Virus
The virus that causes cold sores is known as the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Although cold sores are frequently associated with the lips, they can also appear on the tongue, gums, and throat in newly afflicted individuals.
Before the lesions appear, you could experience a burning feeling with cold sores. Additional signs can include:
an upset stomach and enlarged lymph nodes
a fever and muscular pain
The severity of subsequent outbreaks often varies from the initial one.
Various infections
HSV is not the only virus or bacterial infection that can result in itchy blisters or ulcers within your mouth. Among the most typical are:
chickenpox \
sshingles
Diseases of
the mouth and hands
infectious
mononucleosis caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis
Dental thrush
There is a fungus that causes oral thrush. Candida albicans is a form of fungus that is to blame.
Anyone can get oral thrush, but those with compromised immune systems or underlying medical disorders are more likely to do so.
In various areas of your mouth, such as the inside of your cheeks, the roof of your mouth, and the tip of your tongue, oral thrush can manifest as cream-colored lesions. The afflicted region could hurt and occasionally bleed.
Mouth lichen planus
The illness known as oral lichen planus can appear on your tongue, gums, or the inside of your cheeks. Sores, red, swollen spots, or elevated white patches may appear.
Although it normally causes little discomfort, ulcers and irritability can occasionally appear.
Although the exact origin of oral lichen planus is uncertain, an immune response appears to be involved. The following elements might lead to this condition:
Having an autoimmune condition
drugs like beta-blockers and NSAIDs
damage to the mouth
allergy symptoms in the mouth
Uncinate papilloma
A benign (noncancerous) growth known as a squamous papilloma can appear inside the mouth. The human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that led to these growths
The tongue and the roof of the mouth are the areas where squamous papillomas often develop. Although they are usually painless, if the development is disrupted when you are chewing or biting, they may become mouth pain uncomfortable or irritating.
Dental cancer
When cells in your body proliferate unchecked, cancer results. Many parts of the mouth, including the tongue, can be affected by oral cancer.
tongue, salivary glands, rear of the mouth, inside of the cheeks, and gums
Among the most typical signs
of oral cancer are:
White or red patches within the mouth or painful oral lesions that won't go away trouble swallowing or numbness in the lower lip, cheek, neck, or chin unexplained lumps or growths in the mouth
The use of tobacco products is one of the main risk factors for mouth cancer. This includes chewing tobacco, cigars, pipes, and cigarettes.
What might cause gum pain?
Your gums may also be impacted by some sores and illnesses, such as oral lichen planus and canker sores.
However, there are also additional disorders that may particularly cause gum pain:
Brushing and flossing
vigorously
While it's crucial to practice regular oral hygiene, there are situations when vigorous brushing or flossing might irritate the gums and cause discomfort.
Be careful to brush and floss gently to prevent damaging your gums. It is advised by the American Dental Association to use a toothbrush with gentle bristles.
Hormone adjustments
Your gums may occasionally be affected and irritated by a hormonal shift. Women are more likely to experience this, particularly during:
puberty \smenstruation
Oral contraceptives are used.
pregnancy \smenopause
Nasal infection
Your sinuses get inflamed and swollen when you have a sinus infection. Pain in the teeth and gums can occasionally be brought on by a sinus infection. This most frequently happens close to the upper teeth.
Tooth abscess
When a pus pocket forms around a tooth, a dental abscess results. The bacterial infection is the cause of this.
If you have a dental abscess, the area surrounding the impacted tooth may hurt, and the discomfort may worsen when you chew or are exposed to extremes of heat or cold. A fever and perhaps facial edema are other potential symptoms.
What might hurt your tongue
or the area underneath it?
Your tongue or the region beneath it may be impacted by several of the disorders we've already covered, including:
HSV and hand, foot, and mouth
disease are canker sore diseases.
oral cancer, oral thrush, oral lichen planus, and squamous papillomas
But which ailments might particularly cause discomfort in the tongue or the region below it? Here are a few potential options.
Regional language
Geographic tongue is when your tongue develops red areas. These blotches can have different sizes and forms, and they can move around over time. They can even cause pain at times.
What specifically causes a geographic tongue is uncertain. Certain foods, such as those that are acidic or spicy, may irritate some people.
Treatments
Alternative therapies
There are various at-home remedies that might aid in
reducing the pain and discomfort in your mouth; however, you should always have
a dentist look at any severe problems.
Take an over-the-counter (OTC) drug, such as acetaminophen
or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or Tylenol. These over-the-counter painkillers
can help reduce inflammation in addition to pain.
Use over-the-counter medications like benzocaine or
hydrogen peroxide to ease the discomfort brought on by lesions or sores.
Benzocaine shouldn't be used on kids younger than 2.
By dissolving 1 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of warm water,
you may make a saltwater rinse that you can use to rinse your mouth for 30
seconds before spitting it out. This is very advantageous for canker sores.
To reduce pain and swelling, apply ice to the injured region.
Eat less spicy, acidic, and salty food to prevent irritation of your tongue, gums, or mouth.
Increase your fluid intake, especially if you notice that your mouth is becoming dry.
Avoid using tobacco products or smoking.
Gentle tooth brushing and flossing are essential components of healthy oral hygiene.
