I Have Sores In The Corners Of My Mouth. What Causes Those?
Posted on 11/15/2023 by Water's Edge Dental |
 No matter what kind of sore you have around your mouth, it can be extremely painful because you use your mouth all day long to eat, drink, and speak. However, if the sore doesn't seem to be going away on its own, you may need to do a little research to identify the cause of your sore. Here are two different types of mouth sores, as well as what causes them and potential treatments.
Cold Sores
These sores usually appear on or close to the edge of your lip tissue and your facial tissue. They usually look like a series of small blisters, and they can be very painful. You may run a slight fever with cold sores, and you may have muscle aches, jaw or ear pain, and swollen glands.
Cold sores were originally thought to be caused by a cold, and a virus causes them, but it is not the cold virus. Instead, a herpes virus, herpes simplex 1, causes cold sores. Most cold sores last between a week and 10 days. In that time, cold sores rupture, and scab over. If you have a cold virus, you may want to call your doctor or dentist and ask for an antiviral cream to reduce the time of a cold sore breakout. You may also want to try lemon balm (which is an herb) or aloe vera gel to help with the pain. If you do have a cold sore, remember not to kiss anyone or share utensils until your sores have disappeared because you are contagious.
Angular Cheilitis
If you have sores at the very corner of your mouth that look like cracks, you may have angular cheilitis. Angular cheilitis is caused by excessive wetness in the area, which is why these sores are common in older people and young children who suck a thumb or a pacifier. Vitamin deficiencies, such as B vitamins, iron, or protein, can also cause angular cheilitis.
People with sores at the corners of their mouths due to angular cheilitis are not contagious. You may also want to try topical creams, such as topical steroid creams or antifungal creams.
Not sure what kind of mouth sore you have? It's time to make an appointment with a dentist to have your sores checked out.
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