We don’t take any dental health issues for granted. Even minor growths or dental pain can be the sign of a more serious issue in its earliest stages. We urge patients who come to our Bolingbrook dental care center to speak with us as soon as they have any concerns. Proper diagnosis and safe soft tissue surgery can remedy many problems.
Oral cysts are a common issue that patients ask questions about. Let’s consider the basics of oral cysts and then go into some potential options for treatment.
WHAT IS AN ORAL CYST?
An oral cyst is a type of small growth that can occur in the mouth. It’s a small fluid-filled sac that feels like a little bump. These oral cysts are sometimes referred to as mucoceles or mucous cysts. In most cases, oral cysts may feel odd, but they are are harmless.
Oral cysts are most common on the insides of the lips, but it’s also possible for oral cysts to form on the insides of your cheeks, your tongue, your palate, the floor of your mouth, and around any oral piercings that may be present.
THE CAUSES OF ORAL CYSTS
Many people believe that oral cysts are common caused by sucking on the tissue on insides of the lips or the insides of the mouth. Cysts can also form at random for a variety of reasons.
If you avoid sucking on your lips or the insides of your mouth, you can often avoid the formation of some oral cysts.
WILL I NEED TO HAVE A CYST PROFESSIONALLY REMOVED?
In most cases, no, you will not need to have an oral cyst removed. They tend to go away on their own or remain in a harmless state.
However, when an oral cyst becomes infected, this is known as an abscess. An abscess will require proper professional treatment in order to prevent the spread of infection and other serious health issues. You will often notice pain and discomfort around a growth in the mouth, which is a telltale sign of an abscess.
TREATING AN ORAL CYST AT HOME
The best way to deal with an oral cyst is to simply leave it be and to practice proper oral hygiene, brushing after every meal and flossing at least once a night. These cysts safely rupture on their own, causing no serious side effects or complications.
Do not attempt to lance or rupture the cyst on your own. This could lead to unintended injury or even serious infection. Better to be safe than sorry.
PROFESSIONAL REMOVAL OF AN ORAL CYST
For professional treatment of an oral cyst, a dentist will use a sterile needle to drain the fluid from the cyst and help it go away.
For more serious oral cysts or cysts that could be infected, more careful removal techniques will be used. This can be discussed during the consultation process.
DISCUSS GROWTHS AND OTHER ISSUES WITH YOUR DENTIST
If you do notice strange growths in your mouth and other issues with your dental health, do not hesitate to discuss these changes with your dentist. Getting early treatment could be detecting a serious health issue in an early stage or preventing further dental problems.
SPEAK WITH EXPERIENCED ORAL SURGEONS
To learn more about treating oral cysts and your many other options for improving your dental health and wellness, be sure to contact our oral surgery and implant dentistry center today. We will work with you to address your dental care needs.