mouth and dental disorders
Mouth Growths
Causes of Mouth Growths
Mouth growths can be Noncancerous (benign) Precancerous (dysplastic) Cancerous (malignant) Most mouth growths are noncancerous. A variety of noncancerous growths may occur in and around the mouth. A persistent lump or raised area on the gums (gingiva) should be evaluated by a dentist. Such a lump may be caused by a gum or tooth abscess or by irritation. But, because any unusual growths in or around the mouth can be cancer, the growths should be checked by a doctor or dentist without delay. Noncancerous growths due to irritationare relatively common and, if necessary, can be removed by surgery. In 10 to 40% of people, noncancerous growths on the gums reappear because the irritant remains. Occasionally such irritation, particularly if it persists over a long period of time, can lead to precancerous changes. Warts None Candidiasis (Yeast Infection) None is a slow-growing, rounded projection of bone that forms in the middle of the roof of the mouth (torus palatinus) or on the lower jaw by the side of the tongue (torus mandibularis). This hard growth is both common and harmless. Even a large growth can be left alone unless it gets scraped during eating or the person needs a denture that covers the area. Multiple bony growths, particularly along the angle of the lower jaw, may indicate Familial Adenomatous Polyposis , a hereditary disorder of the digestive tract where the person has numerous polyps in the colon that often become cancerous. Keratoacanthomas None Cysts(hollow, fluid-filled swellings) of many types cause jaw pain and swelling. Often they are next to an impacted wisdom tooth and can destroy considerable areas of the jawbone as they expand. Certain types of cysts are more likely to recur after surgical removal. Various types of cysts may develop in the floor of the mouth. Often, cysts are surgically removed because they make swallowing uncomfortable or because they are unattractive. By far the most common cyst occurs in the lip and is called a mucocele or mucus retention cyst. It is usually the result of accidentally biting the (lower) lip and occurs when saliva draining into the mouth from a minor salivary gland is blocked. Most mucoceles disappear in a week or two but can be surgically removed if annoying. Odontomasare overgrowths of tooth-forming cells that look like either small, misshapen extra teeth or a large mass of tooth material. In children, they may get in the way of normal teeth coming in. In adults, they may push teeth out of alignment. If odontomas grow large, they may cause the upper or lower jaw to become enlarged as well. They are usually removed surgically. Most (75 to 80%)salivary gland tumorsare noncancerous, slow-growing, and painless. They usually occur as a single, soft, movable lump beneath normal-looking skin or under the lining (mucosa) of the inside of the mouth. Occasionally, when hollow and fluid-filled, they are firm. The most common type (called a mixed tumor or pleomorphic adenoma) occurs mainly in women older than 40. This type can become cancerous and is removed surgically. Unless completely removed, this type of tumor is likely to grow back. Other types of noncancerous tumors are also removed surgically but are much less likely to become cancerous or to grow back once removed. The oral growth shown here, called a fibroma, is caused by chronic irritation. In this case, it formed as the result of constant rubbing due to orthodontic braces. DR P. MARAZZIN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY This photo shows an ordinary wart (raised, rounded, flesh-colored growth) on the surface of the tongue. DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY This photo shows a wart caused by a type of human papillomavirus that typically causes genital warts. CLINICA CLAROS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBBRARY The hard, bony mass shown on the midline of the roof of the mouth (hard palate) is common and called a torus palatinus. DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY White, red, or mixed white-red areas that are not easily wiped away, persist for more than 2 weeks, and are not definable as some other condition may be precancerous. The same risk factors are involved in precancerous changes as in cancerous growths, and precancerous changes may become cancerous if not removed. Leukoplakiais a flat white spot that may develop when the moist lining of the mouth (oral mucosa) is irritated for a long period. The irritated spot appears white because it has a thickened layer of keratin—the same material that covers the skin and normally is less abundant in the lining of the mouth. Erythroplakiais a red and flat or worn-away area that results when the lining of the mouth thins. The area appears red because the underlying capillaries are more visible. Erythroplakia is a much more ominous predictor of oral cancer than leukoplakia. Mixed white-red areascontain both leukoplakia and erythroplakia and also may become cancer over time. People who use tobacco, alcohol, or both are at much greater risk of Mouth and Throat Cancer . For those who use chewing tobacco and snuff, the insides of the cheeks and lips are common sites of oral cancer. In other people, the most common sites for oral cancer include the sides of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, and the throat. Cancers caused by oral infection with Oral cancer can have many different appearances but typically resembles precancerous lesions (for example, white, red, or mixed white-red areas that are not easily wiped away). 