Mucocele, Oral
Mucocele, Oral Causes
The causes of oral mucocele provide that the most frequently injured glands are the minor salivary glands of the lower lip. With the tissue of the lower lip becoming caught between the maxillary anterior teeth and the mandibular anterior teeth during the mastication or with the habit of biting one's lip, the mechanism of injury is mechanical. When injury to the minor salivary glands occurs usually secondary to trauma (such as biting one's lip, chronic inflammation with periductal scarring and minor salivary gland sialolithiasis), oral mucoceles occur. Other causes include the baby sucking his or her fingers in utero or the baby passing through the birth canal; and the use of forceps during delivery or suctioning of the baby's mouth after birth.
Mucocele, Oral Definition
A harmless, fluid-containing (cyst-like) swelling of the mouth or lip lining (mucosa) due to mucus from the small salivary glands of the mouth leaking into the soft tissue, usually from injury (trauma) or blockage of the gland is called oral mucocele.
Mucocele, Oral Symptoms and Signs
Usually occurring on the lower lip and inner part of the cheek, mucoceles are frequently found in areas of mouth trauma, but they can occur anywhere inside the mouth. Varying in size from ? to 1 inch, mucoceles are usually a single bump with slight bluish or normal skin color and are soft and painless. They may also appear suddenly, while a mucus-retention cyst may slowly enlarge.
Mucocele, Oral Treatment
A biopsy may be done if the doctor is not sure of the diagnosis and minor surgery may also be suggested to remove the lesion.