Dark spots inside mouth: Pictures, causes, treatment, and when to seek help
Pictures, causes, treatment, and when to seek help
Black spots inside the cheek can have several causes, such as blisters or hyperpigmentation. In rare cases, they may indicate something more serious, such as mouth cancer.
Many harmless conditions can cause a black spot to develop inside the cheek. Often, there will be no other symptoms, and it will improve without treatment.
Rarely, however, a black spot inside the cheek may be a symptom of oral melanoma. This is a rare type of cancer.
The American Cancer Society estimate that just over 54,000 people will develop mouth or throat cancer in 2021. Melanoma usually accounts for 0.5% of all oral cancers.
This article will examine some potential causes of a black spot inside the cheek. It will also look at some treatment options and when a person should contact their doctor.
Blisters are raised bubbles on the skin with fluid inside. They can occur anywhere on the body, including in the mouth.
Blood blisters contain blood and appear dark red or purple. They may develop in the mouth due to accidentally biting the cheek or as a result of an allergic reaction.
Learn more about blood blisters in the mouth here.
Treatment
Blood blisters are not typically harmful, and they will often heal without treatment.
Sometimes, however, they may cause pain or discomfort. In these cases, a person can use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medication.
Amalgam tattoos occur when metal fillings leak, causing dark marks to appear inside the mouth.
These marks can appear when a dentist places or removes a filling and tiny metal fragments fall between the teeth.
They most commonly appear on the gum or cheek, near the amalgam filling. However, they can appear anywhere in the mouth.
Treatment
Amalgam tattoos do not cause any symptoms or require any form of treatment.
Smoking can cause smoker’s melanosis. This is a condition wherein brown or black pigmentation develops inside the mouth and throat.
Treatment
This condition is not harmful, and it does not require treatment.
However, the tobacco smoke that causes these spots is harmful to various areas of the body. For example, smoking can cause gum disease, tooth loss, and mouth cancer, as well as several other conditions.
Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-making cells, or melanocytes, that typically affects the skin. However, these cancers can also occur on mucosal membranes, such as in the mouth.
Oral melanoma usually appears as a raised area that has a black, brown, or dark blue appearance. These marks can be asymmetric with an irregular border.
There may also be swelling, if inflammation is present.
One 2020 article notes that oral melanoma is not related to sun exposure. Healthcare professionals are unsure about what the risk factors may be, but they may include:
- dental irritation
- cigarette smoking
- alcohol consumption
Treatment
The main treatment option for oral melanoma is surgery. A healthcare professional may also recommend radiation therapy.
Addison’s disease is an endocrine disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands, which are the glands on the top of the kidneys, do not make enough of certain hormones. These include cortisol and aldosterone.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases note that Addison’s disease can cause the development of darker areas on the skin and inside the mouth.
Other symptoms can include:
- chronic fatigue
- muscle weakness
- abdominal pain
- weight loss
- appetite loss
Treatment
Treatment for Addison’s disease will include hormone replacement medications. People can take a corticosteroid, such as hydrocortisone, to replace missing cortisol. They will take an oral tablet two or three times per day.
To replace aldosterone, a person can take fludrocortisone to help balance the amount of fluid and sodium in the body.
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes dark freckles to appear around the face and inside the mouth. It may also cause mushroom-shaped tissue growths called polyps to develop throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome can also cause other symptoms, including:
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- rectal bleeding
- digestive issues
Treatment
There is currently no cure for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. However, treatments may involve surgically removing any polyps that are causing gastrointestinal problems.
A doctor or dentist will perform a physical examination of the black spots to determine the cause. Also, they will likely ask the person whether or not the spots are painful or have any accompanying symptoms.
A doctor may also check a person’s medical history for any signs of genetic conditions, such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, that could be the cause. They might also review the person’s dental records for the presence of metal fillings.
Depending on their assessment, a doctor may also order additional tests to make a firm diagnosis. For example, they might require a blood test or skin sample for further analysis.
Many causes of black spots inside the cheek, such as amalgam tattoos, are harmless.
Although no medical treatment is necessary for some causes of a black spot in the cheek, a person should contact a doctor about any sore or spot that lasts for longer than 3 weeks.
If the black areas develop sores or ulcers, these could be symptoms of mouth cancer. Early detection of mouth cancer is crucial for successful treatment.
There are many possible causes of black spots inside the cheek. For most people, these spots will cause no additional symptoms and will not require treatment.
Some people may require OTC treatments for causes that cause pain, such as blood blisters. Other causes, such as mouth cancer, will require medical treatment.
Although black spots inside the mouth may be harmless, it is worth contacting a doctor about persistent cases. They can help determine whether the spot is harmless or requires further care.
Pictures, causes, treatment, and when to seek help
Black spots inside the cheek can have several causes, such as blisters or hyperpigmentation. In rare cases, they may indicate something more serious, such as mouth cancer.
Many harmless conditions can cause a black spot to develop inside the cheek. Often, there will be no other symptoms, and it will improve without treatment.
Rarely, however, a black spot inside the cheek may be a symptom of oral melanoma. This is a rare type of cancer.
The American Cancer Society estimate that just over 54,000 people will develop mouth or throat cancer in 2021. Melanoma usually accounts for 0.5% of all oral cancers.
This article will examine some potential causes of a black spot inside the cheek. It will also look at some treatment options and when a person should contact their doctor.
Blisters are raised bubbles on the skin with fluid inside. They can occur anywhere on the body, including in the mouth.
Blood blisters contain blood and appear dark red or purple. They may develop in the mouth due to accidentally biting the cheek or as a result of an allergic reaction.
Learn more about blood blisters in the mouth here.
Treatment
Blood blisters are not typically harmful, and they will often heal without treatment.
Sometimes, however, they may cause pain or discomfort. In these cases, a person can use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medication.
Amalgam tattoos occur when metal fillings leak, causing dark marks to appear inside the mouth.
These marks can appear when a dentist places or removes a filling and tiny metal fragments fall between the teeth.
They most commonly appear on the gum or cheek, near the amalgam filling. However, they can appear anywhere in the mouth.
Treatment
Amalgam tattoos do not cause any symptoms or require any form of treatment.
Smoking can cause smoker’s melanosis. This is a condition wherein brown or black pigmentation develops inside the mouth and throat.
Treatment
This condition is not harmful, and it does not require treatment.
However, the tobacco smoke that causes these spots is harmful to various areas of the body. For example, smoking can cause gum disease, tooth loss, and mouth cancer, as well as several other conditions.
Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-making cells, or melanocytes, that typically affects the skin. However, these cancers can also occur on mucosal membranes, such as in the mouth.
Oral melanoma usually appears as a raised area that has a black, brown, or dark blue appearance. These marks can be asymmetric with an irregular border.
There may also be swelling, if inflammation is present.
One 2020 article notes that oral melanoma is not related to sun exposure. Healthcare professionals are unsure about what the risk factors may be, but they may include:
- dental irritation
- cigarette smoking
- alcohol consumption
Treatment
The main treatment option for oral melanoma is surgery. A healthcare professional may also recommend radiation therapy.
Addison’s disease is an endocrine disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands, which are the glands on the top of the kidneys, do not make enough of certain hormones. These include cortisol and aldosterone.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases note that Addison’s disease can cause the development of darker areas on the skin and inside the mouth.
Other symptoms can include:
- chronic fatigue
- muscle weakness
- abdominal pain
- weight loss
- appetite loss
Treatment
Treatment for Addison’s disease will include hormone replacement medications. People can take a corticosteroid, such as hydrocortisone, to replace missing cortisol. They will take an oral tablet two or three times per day.
To replace aldosterone, a person can take fludrocortisone to help balance the amount of fluid and sodium in the body.
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes dark freckles to appear around the face and inside the mouth. It may also cause mushroom-shaped tissue growths called polyps to develop throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome can also cause other symptoms, including:
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- rectal bleeding
- digestive issues
Treatment
There is currently no cure for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. However, treatments may involve surgically removing any polyps that are causing gastrointestinal problems.
A doctor or dentist will perform a physical examination of the black spots to determine the cause. Also, they will likely ask the person whether or not the spots are painful or have any accompanying symptoms.
A doctor may also check a person’s medical history for any signs of genetic conditions, such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, that could be the cause. They might also review the person’s dental records for the presence of metal fillings.
Depending on their assessment, a doctor may also order additional tests to make a firm diagnosis. For example, they might require a blood test or skin sample for further analysis.
Many causes of black spots inside the cheek, such as amalgam tattoos, are harmless.
Although no medical treatment is necessary for some causes of a black spot in the cheek, a person should contact a doctor about any sore or spot that lasts for longer than 3 weeks.
If the black areas develop sores or ulcers, these could be symptoms of mouth cancer. Early detection of mouth cancer is crucial for successful treatment.
There are many possible causes of black spots inside the cheek. For most people, these spots will cause no additional symptoms and will not require treatment.
Some people may require OTC treatments for causes that cause pain, such as blood blisters. Other causes, such as mouth cancer, will require medical treatment.
Although black spots inside the mouth may be harmless, it is worth contacting a doctor about persistent cases. They can help determine whether the spot is harmless or requires further care.
Spots in the mouth: what are the causes
Spots in the mouth: what are the causes | Moscow
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The oral mucosa is sensitive to external factors and internal changes, which is especially true for people with weakened immune systems and concomitant diseases. At different periods of life, spots may appear in the mouth. This applies to both mucous membranes and teeth. When such a symptom appears, you need to find out the cause together with the dentist and undergo appropriate treatment.
White spot on the gums
A fairly common symptom that may indicate an infection in the mouth. White formations can be a manifestation of candidiasis, herpes, as well as some non-infectious problems, for example, a wen.
Gingival stains can be the result of poor oral hygiene. If this is accompanied by soreness, then the cause is inflammation.
Treatment consists of antiseptic rinses and hygiene. Depending on the cause, the doctor prescribes antibacterial, antiviral, or antifungal agents.
Teeth stains
Caries is the main cause of white and dark stains. At the same time, there are many non-carious pathologies with such symptoms, including fluorosis, enamel hypoplasia, and a wedge-shaped defect.
Teeth stains do not go away on their own and in any case, dental treatment should be carried out depending on the cause.
Plaque on the teeth
Deposits on the teeth resemble stains, but this is no longer a disease. Plaque is removed either during normal cleaning or during professional hygiene, when the dentist removes tartar.
Red spot on the tongue
Symptoms of various internal diseases, as well as stomatitis, glossitis, may appear on the tongue. The stain may be the result of a burn or mechanical damage.
If the stain does not go away for a long time, you need to consult a doctor, because the causes may be serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, heart, respiratory organs. Also, spots do not appear against the background of diseases such as scarlet fever, erythema, mononucleosis.
Dark spots on gums
Dental treatment with amalgam may cause dark spots on the gums. The reasons can also be smoking, tartar, vitamin deficiency.
Mouth spots are a reason to visit a dentist for diagnostic procedures. If the causes are local, dental treatment will be performed. If not, the dentist will refer you to another specialized specialist.
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Pigmentary changes in the oral mucosa
Pigmentary changes in the oral mucosa can be both physiological and pathological. Quite often for the patient, these changes are asymptomatic, but a full-fledged study of such changes is mandatory.
Pigmentary changes are common in patients in their second decade of life. A 13-year-old boy went with his parents to an appointment with a family dentist for the purpose of an examination. His mother was worried about the small pigmented lesions that appeared 6-8 months ago in different places on his tongue. These areas are completely asymptomatic.
Patient’s past medical history included rheumatoid fever and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. He was not taking any medication at the time of the examination. A few years ago, the boy took a number of drugs, the names of which his mother did not remember very well. The patient had no history of allergies or any trauma.
External examination: within normal limits, the patient had no skin lesions.
Intraoral examination: the patient had bilateral uncomplicated pigmentation ulcers that were uniform in color and located at different locations on the tongue.
Below are photos of these lesions.
The patient was then referred for a consultation with a specialist in diseases of the oral mucosa. It has been proposed to observe these pigmentations, as they seem to be physiological in nature.
Pigmentary changes in the oral mucosa are quite common. Pigmentations can represent many clinical manifestations and variations, from physiological changes to manifestations of systemic and even malignant neoplasms. Pigmentary changes can be exogenous or endogenous in origin. Exogeneity is associated with the implantation of foreign bodies in the oral mucosa. Endogenous pigmentations include melanin, hemoglobin, hemosiderin and carotene.
Evaluation of a patient with a pigmented lesion should include a complete medical and dental history, intra- and extra-oral examinations, and laboratory tests. The quantity, distribution, size, shape, and color of intraoral pigmentation should be assessed. In general, benign pigmentary changes have regular borders and are small, symmetrical, and uniform in color. On the other hand, indistinct borders, color variations, and superficial ulceration suggest malignancy. A biopsy is usually recommended for focal pigmentation that cannot be explained by local factors.