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Mouth pain can be alarming and uncomfortable. Understanding the potential causes can help you identify when to seek treatment and how to manage your symptoms effectively.
What Causes Mouth Pain?
Multiple factors trigger mouth pain, including gum disease, canker sores, burns or injuries, and cavities. Pain location indicates potential causes, which may appear on the roof of the mouth, cheeks' interior, back of mouth, gums, or tongue.
Top Mouth Pain Causes
Here are the 12 most common causes of mouth pain:
1. Burns and Injuries
Thermal burns from hot foods or beverages cause serious mouth discomfort. Quick cooling provides relief. Mouth trauma from hard foods creates additional injury. During healing, avoid acidic substances like citrus and coffee.
2. Gum Disease
Approximately "1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women 30 years or older had some level of periodontitis." Plaque buildup causes swollen, tender gums. Gingivitis represents mild disease; periodontitis represents severe disease. Poor dental hygiene and smoking contribute significantly. Symptoms include swollen or sore gums, bleeding after brushing or flossing, and loose teeth.
3. Abscess
Bacterial infections form pus pockets around teeth. Pain worsens with temperature extremes. Signs include major toothache or gum pain, mouth redness, temperature sensitivity, unpleasant taste, difficulty opening mouth or chewing, face or jaw swelling, and elevated temperature.
4. Oral Thrush
Fungal yeast infection (Candida albicans) causes bleeding or sore oral lesions. Common in babies and immunocompromised individuals. Prescription antifungal medications provide effective treatment.
5. Dry Mouth
Parched mouth sensation accompanies mouth sores, rough tongue, and burning sensations. Dehydration typically causes this. Salivary gland insufficiency contributes. Certain medications and conditions like diabetes trigger dry mouth.
6. Canker Sores
Small ulcers appear on cheeks, tongue, or mouth roof with white centers and red outlines. Multiple causes include food sensitivities, stress, vitamin deficiencies, viral infections, and hormone fluctuations. Tingling and burning sensations accompany eating or drinking.
7. Oral Herpes
HSV virus causes cold sores, typically on lips, though newly infected individuals experience lesions on tongue, throat, or gums. Burning sensations precede visible lesions. Symptoms include sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and muscle aches.
8. Other Infections
Viral and bacterial infections create painful oral lesions. Common infections include chickenpox, shingles, hand-foot-mouth disease, HIV, infectious mononucleosis, and syphilis. Untreated infections spread to jaw and head-neck regions, potentially becoming fatal.
9. Tooth Decay
Cavities result from plaque buildup, sugary foods, and poor dental hygiene. Bacteria penetrate hard enamel, creating white or discolored spots. Bacterial acid produces holes or cavities.
10. Oral Lichen Planus
Chronic inflammatory mucous membrane condition appears as white lacy patches, red swollen tissues, or open painful sores. Causes remain unclear but relate to immune responses, certain medications (NSAIDs, beta-blockers), mouth injury, and allergic reactions.
11. Squamous Papilloma
HPV infection causes benign noncancerous growth developing inside the mouth, typically on tongue or mouth roof. Initial pain remains minimal but worsens with chewing irritation.
12. Oral Cancer
Cancerous cell growth occurs in mouth areas including roof, tongue, cheeks, salivary glands, and gums. Symptoms include non-healing lip or mouth sores, white or red patches, lumps or growths, mouth pain, ear pain, loose teeth, and difficult or painful swallowing. Tobacco use represents major risk factor.
How to Treat Mouth Pain
Regular Dental Check-ups: Scheduled check-ups prevent expensive treatments like cavity fillings and root canals.
Over-The-Counter Medication: Ibuprofen, Advil, or Tylenol temporarily relieve mild pain or inflammation when taken with food.
Salt Water Rinse: Mix one teaspoon salt in 1/2 cup water and swish for 30 seconds to stop bacterial growth and reduce plaque and inflammation.
Ice: Apply ice to affected areas for 10-15 minute intervals for excessive swelling or difficult-to-manage pain.
More Fluid Intake: Increased water consumption addresses dehydration-related mouth pain like dry mouth.
Great Oral Hygiene: Gentle brushing and flossing twice daily prevents cavity-related mouth pain.
Over-The-Counter Medication: Ibuprofen, Advil, or Tylenol temporarily relieve mild pain or inflammation when taken with food.
Salt Water Rinse: Mix one teaspoon salt in 1/2 cup water and swish for 30 seconds to stop bacterial growth and reduce plaque and inflammation.
Ice: Apply ice to affected areas for 10-15 minute intervals for excessive swelling or difficult-to-manage pain.
More Fluid Intake: Increased water consumption addresses dehydration-related mouth pain like dry mouth.
Great Oral Hygiene: Gentle brushing and flossing twice daily prevents cavity-related mouth pain.
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