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What is oral mucocele?

Mucocele, is a harmless swollen spot. It's a good idea to get it checked out, though, especially if it's bothersome.

There are two types. Mucoceles show up on the inside of your lower lips, your gums, the roof of your mouth, or under your tongue. Those on the floor of the mouth are called ranulas. These are rare, but because they’re larger, they can cause more problems with speech, chewing, and swallowing.

Mucoceles may have these traits:

Moveable and painless

Soft, round, dome-shaped

Pearly or semi-clear surface or bluish in color

2-10 millimeters in diameter.

Your saliva moves from a salivary gland through tiny tubes (ducts) into your mouth. One of these ducts can become damaged or blocked. This most often happens if you repeatedly bite or suck on your lower lip or cheek.

Your doctor might be able to tell that you have a mucocele just by looking at it. If not, they may recommend one of these:

Biopsy: Your doctor will take a tiny sample of the cyst and send it to a lab for a closer look.

Ultrasound: This uses sound waves to show images of the inside of the cyst on a computer screen.

Computerized tomography (CT) scan: This is a series of X-rays taken at different angles; put together, they give your doctor a more detailed image of the cyst.

Mucoceles often go away without treatment. But sometimes they enlarge. Don't try to open them or treat them yourself. See your doctor, your child's pediatrician, or your dentist for expert advice.

These are the two types of treatment a doctor or dentist most commonly uses:

Removing the gland. The dentist or doctor may use a scalpel or laser to remove the salivary gland. Local anesthesia numbs the pain.

Helping a new duct to form. Called marsupialization, this technique helps a new duct form and helps saliva leave the salivary gland.

Mucocele are more unpleasant than harmful, but you still should see a specialist to take care of them. They can return after removal, and there may be pain in areas where they’re removed.

Be aware when cysts may pop up, and try to avoid the temptation to suck on your cheek or bite on your lip when they do appear. If you notice a cyst or a mass in your mouth or have trouble swallowing or talking, call your doctor to set up the right course of treatment.

(04/12/2021)
by Web MD

More Information: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/mucocele-causes-symptoms-and-treatment

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