Cracks and Sores: What Can Your Mouth Tell You About Your Health?

Cracks and Sores: What Can Your Mouth Tell You About Your Health?


Crohn’s disease, Behcet’s disease, cold sores, and cheilitis are examples of diseases that can manifest themselves through the mouth.

The mouth is an important indicator of our overall health. mouth ulcersfor example, are a common manifestation and can announce something more than a simple local discomfort. Although often just annoying, these injuries can signal more serious health problems.




Aphthous ulcers are the most common type of mouth ulcers. They are small, painful lesions that appear on the tongue, gums, or inside of the cheeks. They often start as a yellow spot and progress to a gray sore with a red halo. They usually go away on their own, but can be treated with pain relievers or over-the-counter products.

The causes of mouth ulcers are not yet fully understood, but factors such as bite injuries, hormonal fluctuations, nutritional deficiencies, and stress are thought to play a significant role. However, it is essential to pay attention to an ulcer that persists for more than three weeks or is larger than a centimeter in diameter. This could be a sign of a more serious problem.

Discolored spots or lumps in the mouth should also be evaluated, and if there is bleeding or difficulty swallowing, a health care provider should be consulted immediately.

Diseases related to mouth ulcers

Mouth ulcers can also be a symptom of systemic diseases such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease and Behcet. These conditions do not only affect the mouth, but also present other symptoms such as abdominal pain, intestinal changes, joint pain and swelling.

Oral cancer, on the other hand, can present itself in a variety of ways, including sores that do not heal, discolored spots or lumps in the mouth or throat, as well as symptoms such as difficulty speaking, swallowing, and a hoarse voice. If you notice these symptoms, it is essential to see a doctor or dentist as soon as possible. Early diagnosis significantly increases the chances of successful treatment.

Other viral infections, such as herpes simplex, can also cause painful sores in the mouth. Cold sores, for example, are a well-known sore and usually heal within a week or two.

Measles is another condition to consider. Before the traditional rash appears, patches of Koplik on the oral mucosa, which are small white spots, a distinctive and early sign of the disease.

THE angular stomatitisOR cheilitisis a condition that causes painful cracking at the corners of the mouth. Commonly associated with dry or chapped lips, it can be caused by weather, nutritional deficiencies, or other conditions such as Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.

Angular stomatitis can be difficult to treat if the cracks persist, blister, or bleed. In these cases, it is important to consult a doctor for proper evaluation and possible treatment.

*Article originally published on Perfil Brasil

Source: Terra

You may also like