Can surgical excision help in management of a mucocele?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have a canker sore that has been there for over three weeks. It gets irritated and swollen when I accidentally bite it or if something comes in contact with it, and it has seemed to be almost gone several times but keeps coming back. When not irritated, it turns white and shrinks. Sometimes, it becomes irritating, and I do not even know why.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I have seen the picture (attachments removed to protect patient’s identity) you sent me. First of all, it is called a mucocele and not a canker sore. It is caused by the habit of lip biting or trauma from your front teeth, which inflames the minor salivary glands, leading to the collection of fluid and forming a typical small water bubble-like lesion.

This condition can be recurrent in many cases if the minor glands on the lip are not removed. The water bubble bursts, and after a few months, it may reappear. To find a permanent cure for this issue, you need to visit a dentist and have the mucocele removed. It is a minor surgical procedure done under local anesthesia.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you want some help.

Thank you.