Mucocele in the mouth: what is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Mucocele in the mouth is a bubble that forms on the lip, tongue, cheeks or sky of the mouth, usually due to a blow to the region, repetitive bites or when a salivary gland suffers an obstruction.

This benign lesion, also known as mucous cyst, may have a size ranging from a few millimeters up to 2 or 3 centimeters in diameter, and does not usually cause pain except when it is accompanied by some kind of wound.

Mucocele is not contagious and usually naturally regresses without the need for treatments. However, in some cases a small surgery may be required to remove the affected salivary cyst and gland.

Mucocele symptoms in the mouth

The main symptoms of mucocele is the formation of a bubble in the mouth, with the following characteristics:

• Smooth and soft surface to the touch;
• Form of a dome or semi-sphere;
• Presence of mucus inside;
• Clear or bluish color;
• Size 1 millimeter to 2 centimeters;
• It does not cause pain.

The mucocele bubble mainly affects the inside of the lower lip, but may also appear on cheeks, mouth sky or gums.

After a while, the mucocele bubble may regress, or may break after a bite or blow to the area, which may cause a small wound in the place, which he has naturally healed.

Is it serious mucocele?

Mucocele is not serious and usually naturally improves without the need for medical treatment.

However, when the mouth bubble does not improve in 2 weeks, it is important to consult the stomatologist, general practitioner or dentist, as there is a cancer type, called mucoepidermoid carcinoma, which can cause similar symptoms. Learn to identify other symptoms that indicate mouth cancer.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of mucocele in the mouth is made by the stomatologist, general practitioner, dentist or pediatrician through the evaluation of symptoms and physical examination of the bubble or wound in the mouth.

Make an appointment with the stomatologist in the region closest to you:

Generally, complementary tests are not required.

However, in some cases, the doctor may ask for an ultrasound to identify the type of mucocele.

In addition, a biopsy of the lesion can be made to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other health conditions, such as abscess, fibroma or cancer.

Possible causes

Mucocele in the mouth is caused by blocking or injury to a salivary gland or duct, leading to the emergence of symptoms.

Who has the highest risk

The main factors that can lead to the development of mucocele in the mouth are:

• Bite or suck the lips or inside of the cheeks;
• Browsing on the face, especially on the cheeks;
• History of other diseases that reach mucous membranes, such as Sjö Gren’s syndrome or sarcoidosis, for example.

In addition, mucocele may also appear in newborns early from birth due to blows caused during birth, but rarely need treatment.

Types of mucele

Mucocele can be classified into two types according to the age of the person and the cause:

1. Mucocele by extravasation

Mucocele by extravasation is the most common type and arises between 10 and 30 years old.

This type of mucocele in the mouth can be caused by complications in dental surgery, repetitive bites or use of orthodontic appliances, for example.

2. Mucocele by retention

Mucocele by retention is rarer and usually appears in people over 40.

Generally, this type of mucocele in the mouth arises due to obstructions in the salivary glands, which prevents saliva from leaving.

How treatment is done

Mucocele treatment should be done with stomatologist, general practitioner or dentist, and it is not always necessary as it improves naturally within a few days.

However, in cases where the injury grows too much or when there is no natural regression, the doctor or dentist can have a small surgery to remove the affected salivary gland and decrease swelling.

This surgery is a simple procedure that does not require hospitalization and, therefore, the person can return home a few hours after treatment, and may work 1 to 2 days after surgery.

In addition, in some cases Mucocele may emerge again, and a new surgery may be required.