What Is Mucocele?
Mucocele is leakage of saliva from minor salivary glands in to surrounding soft tissue. The surrounding soft tissue fills with liquid creating a cyst or bump. The cyst is usually on the lower lip but can occur anywhere in the mouth. Mucocele are usually temporary but, if not treated could become permanent.
What Are The Causes Of Mucous Cysts?
Mucoceles are usually caused by trauma to the salivary gland ducts. Instances of this could be:
- Piercings
- Lip Biting
- Cheek Biting
- Ruptured Salivary Gland
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of An Oral Cyst?
Mucoceles present themselves as a soft, painless, purple in color mass. Although they are painless they can become tender and uncomfortable. They most likely occur on the lower lip, but can occur in other places.
What Are The Risk Factors Of An Oral Mucocele?
Oral mucocele are a benign lesion, usually caused by accidental biting the lip or cheek. Occasionally, patients with overbites or underbites get mucocele as well. This is caused by upper teeth biting on lower lip. The best way to correct this is by jaw surgery or orthodontics. This will help with the prevention of mucoceles but other oral health issues as well.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Dr. Jamali will evaluate the lesion and rely on clinical symptoms to diagnose the lesion. But there are some lesions that look alike, therefore, the best way to diagnose any lesion is to have it sent to a pathology laboratory.
Dr. Jamali will take a small tissue sample for it to be sampled to determine if it is cancerous or not to make a positive determination.
What Are The Possible Treatments For A Mucocele?
Because of the ruptured salivary gland, the best option in regards to treatment is to surgically remove the lesion. After the area is numbed with local anesthesia, Dr. Jamali will use a scalpel to remove the salivary gland. The lip tissue is then closed with resorbable sutures. If done correctly, the risk of recurrence is low.
Are There Home Remedies?
Dr. Jamali advise patients to seek medical help when something unusual has appeared anywhere on their body. There is really no effective home remedy treatment for a lesion such as Mucocele. We recommend warm salt water rinses to help the healing process.
What Are The Risks If Left Untreated?
Any lesion should be seen and treated by an expert in the field. No lesion should be left untreated!
Key Takeaways About Mucocele:
- They are benign lesions
- They are caused by trauma
- Usually occur on the lower lip
- Caused by minor salivary glands