Boqueira (sore in the corner of the mouth): causes and how to treat

The mouthpiece, also known as angular cheilitis, is a sore that can appear in the corner of the mouth and can be caused by orthodontic appliances or by the excess of saliva that accumulates in the area, which favors the proliferation of fungi and bacteria, resulting in mouthpiece.

This sore can appear only on one side of the mouth or both at the same time, causing symptoms such as pain, redness and peeling in the corner of the mouth, as well as difficulty opening the mouth and even feeding. Thus, in the presence of mouth signs and symptoms, it is recommended that the dermatologist or dentist be consulted so that the most appropriate treatment can be started, which is usually done with ointments applied directly to the wound.

Main causes

The mouthpiece is a common situation and happens mainly due to the accumulation of saliva in the corner of the mouth, as occurs when the baby uses a pacifier, in case of dental prosthesis or device to correct the position of the teeth. This causes a greater risk of proliferation of fungi or bacteria in the area, resulting in the mouthpiece.

However, the mouthpiece can also appear when corticosteroid inhalation remedies are frequently used, when the lips remain dry for a long time or in cases of dermatitis.

This problem is more frequent when the immune system is compromised, as occurs in patients with AIDS or diabetes but in some cases, and in these cases, the mouthpiece may be a sign of oral candidiasis, which must be treated.

Symptoms of mouthpiece

The main indicative sign of a mouthpiece is the presence of a sore in the corner of the mouth, which may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

• Pain when opening your mouth, such as when you need to talk or eat;
• Burning sensation;
• Increased sensitivity of the corner of the mouth;
• Dryness of the skin;
• Redness of the corner of the mouth;
• Crust in the corner of the mouth;
• Small cracks in the corner of the mouth.

This sore in the corner of the mouth causes a lot of discomfort and sensitivity increases when eating or drinking foods that are very salty, acidic or high in sugar.

How to treat the mouthpiece

The mouthpiece treatment should be indicated by the dermatologist or dentist according to the cause, it is important that the person always keeps the corner of the mouth clean and dry to avoid the accumulation of saliva in that region.

In cases where the mouthpiece is not caused by infection, the doctor or dentist may recommend the use of ointments or creams with moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and healing properties to isolate the wound from moisture. In cases where it occurs due to fungal or bacterial infection, the use of antibiotic or antifungal ointment may be indicated. See more details of the mouthpiece treatment.

In addition, to help heal the mouthpiece faster, it is advisable to eat healing foods, such as yogurt or orange juice, which should be consumed with a straw. It is also important to avoid salty or acidic foods to protect the region, avoid pain and reduce discomfort.

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