Things You Need To Know About Mucocele
Development of new lumps and bumps in the body can be a cause of concern especially if you do not know the reason behind it. One such soft swelling that develops in the mouth is mucocele, which is a harmless cyst. Still, getting this development in the mouth checked is a good idea.
Causes
A mucocele can develop due to issue with salivary gland, which is responsible for producing saliva. Saliva is moved into the mouth from salivary glands through small ducts. Damage to any of ducts can result in its blockage. It typically happens when you bite on your lower lip or inner cheek frequently.
Another reason the duct might get disrupted is getting a hit on the face.
This disruption of the duct causes mucus to seep out, pool, become walled off, and ultimately resulting in the formation of a cyst.
Symptoms
Areas where mucoceles frequently show up include lower lips, gums, roof of the mouth, and under the tongue. Mucoceles that appear on the roof of the mouth are called ranulas. They are rare but when they occur, they cause problem in speech, chewing, and swallowing due to their large sizes.
The main characteristics of mucoceles include:
- Moveable and painless
- Soft and round shaped
- Pearly or semi-clear
- 2 to 10 millimeter in diameter
Treatment
In most of the cases, there is no treatment required for mucoceles. However, they might enlarge in certain cases. When that happens, you have to avoid treating them by yourself. Consult your doctor or dentist to get an expert advice.
The treatment of mucoceles can be done with two methods.
- The first method of mucocele treatment is the removal of gland. The salivary gland is removed with the help of a minor surgery which involves the use of scalpel or laser. The area is numbed with anesthesia prior to the treatment.
- Another way to treat this problem is to promote the formation of new duct. This method of treatment is known as marsupialization. When the new duct is formed, the saliva leaves the gland.
