People often encounter various growths or bumps on their bodies and wonder about their nature. While many are harmless, their appearance can raise questions. This article explores growths within the mouth and differentiates them from typical skin conditions.
Skin Tags: Characteristics and Common Locations
Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, benign growths. They typically appear as soft, flesh-colored, or slightly darker flaps of skin, often with a stalk-like base. These growths are composed of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels surrounded by an outer layer of skin.
Acrochordons are generally harmless and do not cause pain unless irritated by friction from clothing or jewelry. They commonly develop in areas where skin rubs against itself or where there are skin folds, such as the neck, armpits, groin, eyelids, and under the breasts.
Oral Growths: What You Might Be Seeing
True skin tags (acrochordons) do not typically form inside the mouth. The oral cavity’s environment differs significantly from external skin surfaces, leading to different types of benign growths. What might be perceived as a skin tag in the mouth is more likely one of several common oral lesions.
Irritation Fibroma
A frequent oral growth is an irritation fibroma, also known as a traumatic fibroma. These smooth, dome-shaped, or stalk-like masses are usually light pink. They commonly develop on the inner cheek, tongue, or lips due to chronic irritation, such as biting or rubbing from ill-fitting dentures or orthodontic appliances. Fibromas are a reactive overgrowth of fibrous connective tissue in response to persistent trauma.
Squamous Papilloma
Another possibility is a squamous papilloma, a solitary lesion with a cauliflower-like or wart-like surface. These growths are often white or pink and can appear on the palate, tongue, or lips. Squamous papillomas are typically caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Their characteristic surface texture distinguishes them from smoother fibromas.
Mucoceles and Ranulas
Mucoceles and ranulas are fluid-filled sacs often mistaken for solid growths.
- A mucocele typically forms on the lower lip or other minor salivary gland sites, resulting from a blocked or damaged salivary gland duct.
- Ranulas are larger, translucent or bluish mucoceles on the floor of the mouth, usually associated with major salivary glands.
- Other benign oral lesions include lipomas, which are soft, yellowish fatty tumors.
- Gingival enlargements are overgrowths of gum tissue often related to inflammation or certain medications.
When to Consult a Dental Professional
Any new or persistent growth inside the mouth warrants professional evaluation. While many oral lesions are benign, early assessment is important. Seek immediate attention for an oral growth if you notice:
- Changes in size, shape, or color.
- Associated pain, tenderness, or discomfort, especially if new or worsening.
- Bleeding from the growth.
- Difficulty with chewing, swallowing, or speaking.
- The growth does not resolve within a few weeks.
Diagnosis and Management of Oral Lesions
A dental professional will begin the diagnostic process with a thorough visual examination and a detailed medical history. They will assess the growth’s appearance, location, and any associated symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis and rule out malignant potential, a biopsy is frequently necessary.
A biopsy involves removing a small tissue sample from the growth, sent to a pathology lab for microscopic examination. This procedure provides definitive information about the cells and helps determine the most appropriate management.
Management of benign oral lesions varies. Small, asymptomatic lesions might be observed. Larger or symptomatic lesions, such as fibromas, papillomas, or mucoceles, are often removed through surgical excision, especially if they interfere with function or cause discomfort. Addressing underlying causes, such as adjusting ill-fitting dental appliances, is crucial to prevent recurrence.