Mucocele is a common condition that affects many people often. Learn about how to cure a mucocele at home by way of this descriptive article.
What is Mucocele?
A Mucocele is a benign, soft, cystic oral lesion that contains mucus. It is seen in the mouth at or near the minor salivary
glands. It appears as a small, painless swelling on the buccal mucosa. Superficial mucoceles have a bluish or translucent
appearance. Mucoceles can often recur even after they resolve. Mucoceles are painless and harmless, but they can impede eating, chewing, swallowing, or speaking if left untreated. However, mucocele can turn into permanent swelling. Therefore, it becomes imperative to treat mucocele as soon as it appears. Learn how to cure a mucocele at home by reading the article below.
Causes
A mucocele can develop due to the rupture of the salivary gland duct, which causes saliva to spill into the surrounding
soft tissue causing inflammation. Other causes include blockage in the salivary gland duct, trauma to the face or
mouth, lip sucking, lip piercings, misaligned teeth, overbite or underbite, constant contact with a sharp tooth, or
the accidental biting of the inner lip or cheeks.
It is commonly seen in the:
- Inner surface of the upper or lower lip
- Inside the cheeks
- The bottom surface of the tongue, floor, or roof of the mouth
- On the buccal mucosa
Mucocele is more common in younger people, with 70% incidence in those younger than 20 years.
Prevention and Treatment Options
You can prevent mucoceles from forming by avoiding the habit of biting your lips or cheeks. A mucocele usually does not need any treatment as it ruptures on its own after 3 to 6 weeks. However, a dental professional needs to treat large mucoceles which persists for a longer time. Cryotherapy, electrocautery, corticosteroid injection into the cyst, laser treatment, or surgery could be the treatments advised depending on your particular case. Only 1% of mucoceles will require surgical intervention.
Consult your dentist if you notice an oral cyst and to get the right diagnosis. It is safer as it rules out other serious conditions like oral cancer.
How To Cure A Mucocele At Home
1. Saline Mouth Rinse
Dissolve one tablespoon of salt in a cup of water. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with this saltwater 4
to 6 times a day for a few days. The salt will draw out the fluid within the mucocele without further damaging the
surrounding tissue. It also prevents infection in the affected area.
2. Honey
Honey has antibacterial and wound healing properties. Dab a little honey over the mucocele twice a day to see effective results in a few days.
3. Alum
Alum helps burst the mucocele quickly. Apply a little alum to the mucocele for 10 to 15 minutes daily. Wash it off
and follow it up with Listerine mouthwash for 2 minutes.
4. Chewing Gum
Chewing sugar-free gum can help break the habit of biting your lips.
General Advisory
Never try to rupture or drain a mucocele at home. Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent the affected area from getting
infected, even after the mucocele is resolved. Natural treatments work only for small mucoceles, and larger ones need medical treatment. Keep your oral cavity clean and use an antibacterial mouthwash containing chlorhexidine.