Mouth Disorders (Print Version)

Your mouth is one of the most important parts of your body. Any problem that affects your mouth can make it hard to eat, drink or even smile.

Some common mouth problems include

Cold sores - painful sores on the lips and around the mouth, caused by a virus
Canker sores - painful sores in the mouth, caused by bacteria or viruses
Thrush - a yeast infection that causes white patches in your mouth
Leukoplakia - white patches of excess cell growth on the cheeks, gums or tongue, common in smokers
Dry mouth - a lack of enough saliva, caused by some medicines and certain diseases
Gum or tooth problems

Treatment for mouth disorders varies, depending on the problem. Keeping a clean mouth by brushing and flossing often is important.

Start Here

Mouth Problems(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/509.printerview.html
Mouth Problems in Infants and Children(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/510.printerview.html

Overviews

Common Mouth Sores(American Dental Association) - http://www.ada.org/public/topics/mouth_sores.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.ada.org/public/espanol/topics/mouth_sores.asp

Latest News

Mouthwashes Work But May Stain Teeth for a While(10/10/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_70287.html

Diagnosis/Symptoms

Drooling (Excessive)(DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/drooling-excessive/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Dry Mouth(DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/dry-mouth/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Lip Swelling(DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/lip-swelling/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Mouth Laceration(DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/mouth-laceration/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Mouth or Tongue Lesions(DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/mouth-or-tongue-lesions/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Mouth or Tongue Swelling(DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/mouth-or-tongue-swelling/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Mouth Problems(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/509.printerview.html

Specific Conditions

Amalgam Tattoos(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.29810/pr.3.html
Bad Breath(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/bad-breath/DS00025/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Black Hairy Tongue(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.31456/pr.3.html
Burning Mouth Syndrome(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/776.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/articles/776.printerview.html
Burning Mouth Syndrome(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/Burning/BurningMouthSyndrome.htm
Canker Sores: What Are They and What Can You Do about Them?(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/613.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/articles/613.printerview.html
Cheilosis/Cheilitis(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.32775/pr.3.html
Cold Sore(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cold-sore/DS00358/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Cold Sores (Herpes)(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/coldsores/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/coldsoresspanish/htm/index.htm
Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/DryMouth/DryMouth.htm
Fibromas(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.32129/pr.3.html
Geographic Tongue(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/geographic-tongue/DS00819/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Glossodynia(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.29663/pr.3.html
Leukoplakia(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/leukoplakia/DS00458/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Lip Biting(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.29838/pr.3.html
Mouth: Noncancerous Growths(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec08/ch113/ch113b.html
Oral Cysts(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.25017/pr.3.html
Oral Lichen Planus(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/oral-lichen-planus/DS00784/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Oral Thrush(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/oral-thrush/DS00408/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Painful Papillae of the Tongue(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.31237/pr.3.html
Pemphigoid and Pemphigus(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.32147/pr.3.html
Pizza Palate(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.25036/pr.3.html
Scrotal Tongue(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.35192/pr.3.html
Tori(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.32130/pr.3.html
Traumatic Injuries of the Lips and Tongue(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.32774/pr.3.html
Trismus(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.35197/pr.3.html

Related Issues

Dysgeusia (Taste Disorder)(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.32798/pr.3.html
Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/melkersson/melkersson.htm
Mouth Problems and HIV(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/HIV/MouthProblemsHIV/default.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/HIV/Problemasorales.htm
Oromandibular Dystonia (Cranial Dystonia)(Dystonia Medical Research Foundation) - http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/oromandibular_dystonia_more_info/48.php
Parry-Romberg Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parry_romberg/parry_romberg.htm

Pictures & Photographs

Actinic Cheilitis(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/actinicCheilitis.htm
Angular Cheilitis(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/angularCheilitisPerleche.htm
Canker Sore (Aphthous Ulcer)(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/aphthousUlcer.htm
Chapped Lips (Cheilitis)(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/cheilitis.htm
Cold Sores (Orofacial Herpes)(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/orofacialHerpesSimplexVirusHSV.htm
Fordyce Spots(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/fordyceSpots.htm
Hairy Tongue(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/hairyTongue.htm
Oral Melanotic Macule(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/oralMelanoticMacule.htm
Oral Mucocele(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/oralMucocele.htm
Perioral Dermatitis(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/perioralDermatitis.htm
Thrush (Oral Candidiasis) in Adults(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/oralCandidiasisThrush.htm
Thrush (Oral Candidiasis) in Children(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/child/oralCandidiasisThrush.htm

Tutorials

Cold Sores (Herpes)(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/coldsores/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/coldsoresspanish/htm/index.htm
Dry Mouth(National Institute on Aging) - http://nihseniorhealth.gov/drymouth/toc.html

Anatomy/Physiology

Mouth and Teeth(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/mouth_teeth.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/general/mouth_teeth_esp.html

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Mouth Diseases(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Mouth+Diseases%22
ClinicalTrials.gov: Stomatitis, Aphthous(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Stomatitis,+Aphthous%22
ClinicalTrials.gov: Tongue Diseases(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Tongue+Diseases%22
ClinicalTrials.gov: Herpes Labialis(National Institutes of Health) - http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/term=herpes+labialis

Journal Articles

References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Article: Abstracts of the 9th Biennial Congress of the European Association... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18783572&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Oral manifestations of oxalosis: a case report and review of... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18718408&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Oral lesions in patients with pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18714642&tool=MedlinePlus
Mouth Disorders -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=mouth+diseases[majr:noexp]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
Canker sores -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=stomatitis,aphthous[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
Cold sores or fever blisters -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(herpes+labialis[mh]+OR+stomatitis,herpetic[mh])+AND+English[la]+AND+humans[mh]&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus

Medical Encyclopedia

mouth ulcers - http://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v:project=medlineplus&binning-state=group%3d%3dMedical%20Encyclopedia&query=mouth+ulcers

Directories

Find an Otolaryngologist (ENT)(American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery) - http://www.entnet.org//findanentmore.cfm

Organizations

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders - http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/

Children

Canker Sores(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/teeth/canker.html
Coping with Cold Sores(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/aches/cold_sores.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/kid/en_espanol/comunes/cold_sores_esp.html
Herpangina(Children's Hospital Boston) - http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1019/mainpageS1019P0.html
Mouth Problems in Infants and Children(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/510.printerview.html
Oral Thrush(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/newborn/basics/thrush.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/padres/thrush_esp.html
Perioral Dermatitis(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/child/perioralofChildhoodDermatitis.htm
Tongue-Tie (Ankyloglossia)(American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery) - http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Ankyloglossia.cfm

Teenagers

Canker Sores(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/mouth/canker.html
Cold Sores (HSV-1)(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/cold_sores.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/cuerpo/ulceras.html

Seniors

Dry Mouth(National Institute on Aging) - http://nihseniorhealth.gov/drymouth/toc.html

You may also be interested in these MedlinePlus related pages:

Dental Health - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dentalhealth.html
Gum Disease - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/gumdisease.html
Head and Neck Cancer - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/headandneckcancer.html
Oral Cancer - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/oralcancer.html
Salivary Gland Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/salivaryglanddisorders.html
Speech and Communication Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/speechandcommunicationdisorders.html
Streptococcal Infections - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/streptococcalinfections.html
Swallowing Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/swallowingdisorders.html
Throat Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/throatdisorders.html
Tonsils and Adenoids - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tonsilsandadenoids.html
Ear, Nose and Throat - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/earnoseandthroat.html
Mouth and Teeth - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mouthandteeth.html

The primary NIH organization for research on Mouth Disorders is the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/

Mouth Disorders - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/mouthdisorders.html