Symptoms

Mouth and Lips

Changes inside the mouth often come from the soft tissue rather than a tooth: thrush, sores, cracks, colour changes. In denture wearers, several of them are caused by the denture itself.

Mouth and Lips

Cracked Corners of the Mouth: Why It Happens, How It ClearsA crack at the corner of the mouth is rarely a vitamin deficiency; it is usually yeast and bacteria. Its link with a dropped bite, worn teeth and old dentures.
White Patch in the Mouth That Won't Wipe Off: Thrush or Not?A white coating that wipes off is usually thrush; a patch that stays is something else. Two simple checks at home, the 2-week threshold and biopsy questions.
Blood Blister in the Mouth: Causes and When to TestA blood-filled blister that suddenly appears on the palate is usually harmless and goes in a few days. When is a blood count needed, and when do you call 112?
Red Patch in the Mouth: Denture, Thrush or Erythroplakia?Most red patches in the mouth come from a denture, thrush or an injury. The two-week rule, the signs of erythroplakia and when a biopsy is needed.
Oral Thrush: Why It Happens and Why It Comes BackThe white coating on the tongue and the redness under a denture are two faces of the same yeast. Why it recurs, and why treatment must include the denture.
Hard Lump on the Palate or Under the Tongue: Is It a Torus?A bone-hard lump on the palate or under the tongue is usually a torus. How to tell at home, its effect on dentures and implants, and signs that need a biopsy.
Mouth Breathing: Why It Happens, What It Does to Your TeethMouth breathing usually comes from a blocked nose; it dries the mouth and affects gums and teeth. Checks at home, warnings for children, when to see a doctor.
Actinic Cheilitis: The Mark the Sun Leaves on the Lower LipActinic cheilitis is a sun-related, precancerous lip change. How it differs from dry lips, diagnosis, treatment options, follow-up and protection.
B12 and Iron Deficiency: What Signs Show in the Mouth?A red, smooth tongue, a burning tongue, mouth ulcers and cracked corners. Which tests to ask for even with a normal blood count, and which medicines lower B12.
Tonsil Stones: Causes, Removal, and When to See ENTA white, foul-smelling lump from the throat is usually a tonsil stone. Safe home methods, laser and surgery options, and the signs that mean an ENT visit.
Geographic Tongue: Are Map-Like Patches Harmful?Geographic tongue is not contagious and does not turn into cancer. Why the patches move, what worsens burning, what it is confused with, when to see someone.
Cracks in the Tongue: Why, and Is It a Vitamin Deficiency?Cracks in the tongue are usually harmless fissured tongue. A mirror test that separates it from vitamin deficiency, how to clean it and signs that need a check.
Teeth Marks on the Tongue: Clenching or Sleep Apnoea?Scalloped teeth marks along the edge of the tongue are usually harmless. How they link to clenching, sleep apnoea and the thyroid, and when to see a doctor.
White Coating on the Tongue: Why, and When to See SomeoneA white, furred tongue is usually a build-up of bacteria and debris. Whether it wipes off, where it sits and how long it lasts separate thrush from leukoplakia.
Numbness and Tingling in the Tongue: When Is It Urgent?A numb tongue can come from a dental injection, B12 deficiency, an allergy or migraine. With sudden numbness plus slurred speech or a drooping face, call 112.
Sore on the Tongue: Bite, Ulcer, When to Get CheckedA sore on the tongue is most often caused by a bite, a mouth ulcer or a sharp tooth edge. The edge test, the 3-week threshold, self-care and when to call 112.
Cold Sores: Causes, How Long They Last, Mouth Ulcer or NotWhy cold sores appear, how long they last and what cream really does. Telling them from mouth ulcers, what to do before dental work, and eye and baby warnings.
Sudden Lip Swelling: Causes, and When to Call 112Why a lip suddenly swells: allergy, blood pressure medicine, hereditary angioedema, mucocele. How to tell them apart at home, 112 signs and what to ask.
Numb Lip: What Causes It, and When Is It an Emergency?A numb lip is usually dental anaesthetic. A test to map the numb area, normal timings after extractions and implants, and stroke and emergency signs.
Red, Smooth Tongue: A Deficiency or Thrush?A smooth, shiny red tongue often points to a lack of B12, iron or folate, or to thrush. The order of diagnosis, the tests to ask for and the urgent signs.
Lip Sore That Won't Heal: The 3-Week Rule, Actinic CheilitisA cold sore heals in 10 days, an ordinary sore in 1–2 weeks. Lip sores lasting over 3 weeks, actinic cheilitis, signs to check in the mirror, and biopsy.
Black Hairy Tongue: Causes, Cleaning and How Long It LastsBlack hairy tongue is harmless: lengthened projections pick up colour. How antibiotics, smoking and tea play a part, tongue cleaning and when to see a doctor.
Mucocele: Why a Blister on the Lower Lip Keeps Coming BackA clear, fluid-filled blister on the lower lip is usually a mucocele. Why it happens, why you should not burst it, why it returns and when to have it removed.
Herpetic Gingivostomatitis: Mouth Sores and FeverSores spreading over a child's gums and mouth with a fever are often a first herpes infection. Fluids, the first 3 days for antivirals, spread and urgent signs.
Dry Mouth in the Morning: Why It Happens, What to DoWaking with a dry mouth mostly comes from mouth breathing, snoring, sleep apnoea and medicines. Effects on teeth and dentures, home checks, when to see a GP.
Loss of Taste: Smell or Taste, Causes, When It Is UrgentMost loss of taste is loss of smell. A one-minute test at home, causes from medicines, dentures and extractions, and the drooping face that means 112.
White Lines Inside the Cheek: Is It Lichen Planus?White lines inside the cheek may be lichen planus, a friction mark or thrush. The stretch and wipe tests at home, cancer risk, and when to get it examined.