Q: Are bumps on the inside of your mouth dangerous? – P. L.
A: The bumps commonly found inside the mouth are canker sores (also called aphthous ulcers). These can show up on the tongue, cheek and base of the gums. They can be painful and will go away on their own in a week or two.
No one knows what causes these small, painful blisters inside your mouth. Triggers include hypersensitivity, infection, hormones, stress and not getting enough of certain vitamins like zinc, B12 or iron. Canker sores may also result from illnesses like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease and HIV/AIDS. Note: Canker sores are NOT associated with herpes like cold sores.
A related condition, leukoplakia, is a reaction to an irritant, like rough teeth, badly fitting dentures, smoking, and smokeless tobacco. It can show up as white patches or plaques in the mouth, is usually painless and can’t be scraped off. Leukoplakia can also be a precancerous condition. Persistent patches or other changes in your mouth need a dentist’s evaluation.
Although canker sores are generally harmless, they can potentially become cancerous. See your doctor for:
- Unusually large canker sores
- Recurring sores, with new ones developing before old ones heal
- Persistent sores, lasting three weeks or more
- Sores that extend into the lips themselves (vermilion border)
- Pain that you can’t control with self-care measures
- Extreme difficulty eating or drinking
- High fever along with canker sores
Q&A: What Are Those White Bumps Inside My Mouth? was originally published on blackdoctor.org
