Mucocele- an Oral Mucous Cyst and All You Need to Know About It

An oral mucocele is a harmless, benign, fluid-containing, salivary gland cyst. Most commonly, it occurs as a swelling on the lower lip or mouth lining (mucosa).

The mucocele has a translucent bluish colour and is commonly found in young adults and children. Although it commonly occurs on the lower lip, it can also occur over the cheeks or the floor of the mouth and is called Ranula.

Ranulas are rare, but they can cause more problems with speech, chewing, and swallowing as they are larger.

In this article, we will focus on how to identify Mucoceles, the signs and symptoms, causes and the treatment.

How to identify Mucoceles?

Mucoceles can be identified by the following traits:

Painless and moveable cysts
Cysts are soft and round, sometimes dome-shaped
Mostly bluish in colour, but in some cases could be pearly white or transparent
Size: 2-10 mm in diameter

Types of Mucoceles:

Extravasation mucocele: This is the most common type of mucocele, and is caused by broken salivary gland ducts or by salivary gland secretion spilling out of the gland into the surrounding tissue.
Retention mucocele: This type of mucocele is caused due to the ducts of the salivary glands becoming blocked or in other words, a decrease or absence of glandular secretion produced by blockage of the salivary gland ducts. These mostly occur in older people aged between 50 and 60 years.

Mucoceles are also classified based on the position they occur:

Superficial mucocele: Cysts located right under the mucosal surface
Classic mucocele: Cysts on the upper layer of the submucosa
Deep mucocele: Cysts on the lower layer of the mucous membrane

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Mucoceles or Oral Cysts?

Appears as a bluish or pink, soft, round, dome-shaped cyst
Usually painless, but could cause problems
Recurring cysts
May break open on its own
Swallowing or chewing problems
Sensitivity

If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms, then immediately consult your dentist for oral mucous cyst treatment in Bangalore. Sakra World Hospital is the best dental hospital in Bangalore having a team of experienced dentists who are experts in treating all types of dental problems.

What are the causes of Oral Mucous Cyst?

There are several reasons for the Oral Mucous Cyst to occur - history of lip biting or trauma, oral piercings or use of tartar-control toothpaste in some cases.

The Oral Mucous Cyst centres on a small salivary gland, which makes saliva in your mouth. Here's how the cyst takes birth:

Saliva moves from a salivary gland through salivary ducts into your mouth. One of these ducts can become damaged or blocked because of compulsive habits such as repeatedly sucking or biting on your lower lip or cheek, using sharp objects to brush against your lower lip, etc. Not just this, trauma could also be the cause of ducts being damaged, trauma such as getting hit in the face.

So what happens once the salivary duct is damaged or blocked? Mucus leaks or seeps out, and causes a cyst-like swelling, called Oral Mucous Cyst.

To sum up the causes of Mucoceles or Oral Cysts:

An injury/trauma causing a tear to the salivary ducts causing them to be blocked
Compulsive poor habits like lip-biting causing the salivary ducts to be damaged or blocked
Oral Lip piercings can cause infection, leading to cyst formation
Poor oral hygiene can cause the buildup of bacteria. The bacteria can block salivary glands which leads to cysts.

How is Oral Mucocele diagnosed?

The dentist in Bangalore In most cases, the dentist will be able to tell you by looking at it. Otherwise, the following diagnosis methods will be used:

Ultrasound: To show images of the inside of the cyst. Ultrasound uses sound waves and the fluid inside the cyst makes it easier to get clear views of the cyst.
CT Scan/MRi/X-rays: This is taken at different angles; they give a more detailed image of the cyst.
Biopsy: A tiny sample of the cyst is taken and sent to the lab for initial diagnosis and cell analysis.

Consult Sakra World Hospital the best dental hospital for mucocele excision in Bangalore.

Treatment for Oral Mucocele

Mostly, a mucous cyst will go away on its own. However, if there are no signs of it going away on its own and it seems to be causing oral issues, don't try to open it or treat it yourself. It can cause further infection and tissue damage. You need to reach out to your oral health care clinic as it needs to be removed. To remove a mucocele, the following may have to be done:

Freezing the cyst (cryotherapy)
Laser treatment
Surgery to cut out the cyst

Mucocele cysts are less harmful and more unpleasant, a specialist is the only one who can help you get rid of this without causing further damage. Also, remember, they can reoccur, so following all instructions is very important.

If you notice a cyst for more than a month, if it has been bleeding or you are having trouble swallowing, chewing or talking, reach out to our team of professional dentists and oral surgeons and we will assist you with the right course of treatment.
Sakra World Hospital has a team of dentist in Bangalore who are expert in treating a mucous cyst. We provide world-class facilities to our patients and take care of their all needs.