Dorothy FarrarPus in the mouth
Pus in the mouth often indicates a bacterial infection of the oral mucosa. A so-called stomatitis usually appears in the form of pus pimples or abscesses. Treatment is sometimes difficult.
What is pus in the mouth?
The production of pus is caused by leukocytes (white blood cells) melting down tissue in an inflamed area of the body. In most cases, the pus, which can usually be recognized as a yellowish discharge, forms as part of bacterial infections on the skin or on the hair roots. However, the appearance of pus in the mouth is also possible. The formation of pus in the mouth is considered to be particularly unpleasant and can significantly impair the quality of life of those affected.
Causes
One of the most common reasons for pus formation in the mouth are so-called pus pimples. These pustules form on the oral mucosa. Babies and children are particularly affected. Pimples usually appear preferentially on the skin due to excess sebum production. The sebaceous glands are located at the roots of the hair, so pimples usually only appear on hairy parts of the body. This is usually the face or scalp.
Since there are no sebaceous glands of this type in the mouth, purulent pimples occur there much less frequently. Instead, however, the Fordyce glands are present in the mouth area. These are free, harmless sebaceous glands. They are called “free sebaceous glands” because there is no connection between them and the hair. Fordyce glands are present not only in the mouth, but also on the lips , female vulva, and male penis and scrotum. If these special sebaceous glands become clogged in the mouth region, this results in inflammation and, as the process progresses, the development of pus pimples. As a result, small purulent yellow dots form on the oral mucosa or tongue.
Another possible reason for pus in the mouth is a blockage of the salivary gland. One of the three salivary glands is blocked by a salivary stone, which causes a whitish-reddish plug to form in the duct of the gland. This resembles a pimple and causes a painful feeling of pressure in the mouth. But the formation of abscesses can also be responsible for pus in the mouth. Doctors understand an abscess to be a collection of pus within the tissue. The pus is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Patients develop abscesses in the mouth between the teeth and gums or at the root of the tooth.
If left untreated, accumulations of pus can cause toothache and tooth root death. Pus formation on the tooth is caused by tooth injuries or severe caries. The formation of pus in the mouth is associated with swelling , a pronounced feeling of pressure on the gums and unpleasant pain. These can be so severe that there are problems with eating or speaking. It depends on where the pus pimples or collections of pus appear.
It is not uncommon for the pus pimples to be so-called aphthae. Aphthae are reddened mucosal defects that often occur on the oral mucosa or on the tongue. They can be recognized by a white area in the middle of the reddened inflammation. The exact causes of the pus blisters in the mouth could not be determined. There is an assumption that an immune reaction of the body is responsible for their occurrence.
Diseases
When to the doctor?
Pus in the mouth is usually due to a bacterial infection. A kind of abscess forms in the oral cavity, which can become inflamed. In many cases, a purulent discharge appears, which makes it significantly more difficult to eat. Normally, such an abscess should heal on its own within 2 to 4 days.
However, it becomes dangerous if the said purulent discharge cannot drain properly. In such a case, internal pressure builds up. In the worst case, the pus gets into the bloodstream, so that blood poisoning can occur. Symptoms of such blood poisoning are red streaks and spots on the epidermis.
If this is the case, a doctor or a clinic should be consulted immediately. If fever occurs in connection with such an abscess , the advice of a doctor should also be sought. Fever could also be a sign of a serious complication that should be checked out by a doctor.
Diagnosis and course
Pus pimples in the mouth are usually found by the affected people themselves. In babies or small children, the parents often notice the painful appearance. Occasionally, the dentist discovers pus pimples or aphthous ulcers by accident during an examination. A visit to the dentist is also unavoidable if the pus formation in the mouth is caused by an abscess. The dentist will then do a thorough exam to determine the extent and causes of the pus build-up.
If it is a matter of pus pimples or aphthae, these usually take a positive course. However, the pus blisters can reappear after a longer period without symptoms. Aphthae usually appear in families. If a jaw abscess is the cause of the pus in the mouth, the affected person often suffers from severe difficulties eating and drinking without treatment. There is also a risk that the pus will penetrate further into the bloodstream and cause dangerous blood poisoning (sepsis).
complications
Complications of pus in the mouth include an altered sense of taste. Consumed food and liquids can no longer be enjoyed as usual. This often leads to a reduction in food intake. Care must be taken to ensure that no deficiency symptoms occur. This leads to failures and functional limitations of individual organs. In severe cases, malnutrition or dehydration occurs . Both are life-threatening conditions.
The formation of pus in the mouth is often associated with the formation of blisters. The blisters can cause pain and an uncomfortable feeling of pressure. If the pus collects in the spaces between the teeth, chewing can be impaired. Tooth root inflammation can occur and be experienced as very painful. Fever and headaches are also possible. Dental diseases such as caries or periodontal disease are imminent.
If left untreated, tooth loss or irreparable tooth damage can occur over a longer period of time. Wearing braces and dentures can have problematic or counterproductive results. If no changes are made to fixed braces, there is a risk of tooth displacement. The pus in the mouth can cause swelling and thus a change in speech formation. If the affected person suffers from severe pain, it can lead to a malposition of the jaw. The use of painkillers causes side effects such as stomach, intestinal or headaches. There is a risk of addiction with prolonged use.
treatment and therapy
The treatment of pus in the mouth depends on the triggering cause. Aphthae usually do not require any special therapy because they heal on their own. However, pain-relieving local anesthetics such as benzydamine or lidocaine can be given in the form of sprays, ointments, gels, or gargles to control the pain. Proven household remedies such as chamomile tea , sage tea , Australian tea tree oil or lemon balm extract are also helpful . However, foods containing lemon or vinegar should be avoided as they attack the skin lesion. As a rule, the pus blisters have disappeared after 3 to 5 days.
If there is a pus pimple in the mouth, it is recommended to empty it by squeezing it so that the pus can drain out. However, such treatment is difficult for babies and small children. Going to an ear, nose and throat doctor can therefore make sense. So he has fine instruments with which he can open and remove the pus pimple. Draining the pus is also crucial in the case of an abscess.
In addition, the wound must be carefully disinfected so that no new pus can form in the abscess cavity. In the early stages of an accumulation of pus, it makes sense to use a pulling ointment that pulls the pus outwards. If the abscess has already taken on larger dimensions, an operation must be carried out. The doctor opens the abscess after administering a local anesthetic through an incision. In no case should the patient try to open the abscess himself, otherwise there is a risk that the inflammation will worsen further.
outlook and prognosis
Pus in the mouth is caused by inflammation, so bacteria and viruses are responsible for the pus formation. Predicting a precise course is very difficult, since the formation of pus in the mouth depends on the severity. If the affected person decides to undergo treatment, a rapid improvement can be expected. Strict oral hygiene is of course very important at this point, otherwise the inflammation in the mouth can worsen. If there is no drug treatment at all, various side effects can be expected as the disease progresses. The formation of pus increases, so that the affected person is also severely restricted in everyday life.
In particularly bad cases, an abscess can form. An abscess is a cavity filled with pus. If this liquid gets into the bloodstream, it can even develop into an infection. Headaches , nausea or even vomiting occur. Therefore, the following applies: A formation of pus in the mouth can take a very unpleasant course if the person concerned completely refrains from medication or medical treatment. However, if treatment is resorted to, a significant improvement can be expected after just a few days. The formation of pus decreases and the inflammation should have healed completely after two to three days.
prevention
To prevent pus pimples in the mouth, it is possible to remove the responsible Fordyce glands with a laser. Purulent inflammation in the mouth can be counteracted by consistent dental and oral care and regular visits to the dentist.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.