Cold sores

Although they're called cold sores, you don't get cold sores from fevers or colds. Cold sores are usually passed via a kiss, shared cutlery or other close contact. These small, fluid-filled mouth blisters may appear on the lips or just near them. Although they go away in a few days, most people want to ease their pain. Over-the-counter creams and ointments can do that and may speed healing.  Repeat sores may require a prescription.

Oral thrush

Caused by Candida yeast, oral thrush is most common in older adults or babies. However, a weakened immune system, antibiotics, diabetes or certain medications such as inhaled corticosteroids can give Candida a chance to grow. Patches are difficult to remove and trying to do so will cause soreness. See a doctor for a diagnosis.

Black hairy tongue

This painless condition occurs when the little bumps on your tongue grow long and trap the bacteria that live in your mouth - making your tongue look black and hairy. There can be lots of causes for black hairy tongue, including antibiotic use, poor oral hygiene, smoking, breathing through the mouth and not producing enough saliva. Brushing your tongue and using a tongue scraper is usually all you need to treat it, although sometimes medication is necessary.

Mouth ulcers

No one knows what causes these small, painful blisters inside your mouth. Triggers include injury, hypersensitivity, infection, hormones, stress and not getting enough of some vitamins. Also called aphthous ulcers, mouth ulcers can appear on your tongue, cheek and gums. They usually last a week or two. Mouth ulcers can be treated with numbing gels. Severe or persistent mouth ulcers may need prescription treatments.

Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is the mouth's reaction to an irritant, like rough teeth, badly-fitting dentures, chronic smoking, even sun exposure to the lips. It usually is painless, but may be sensitive to touch or heat. Usually harmless, leukoplakia generally clears up in a few weeks after you remove the irritant. However, sometimes leukoplakia can also be a precancerous condition that appears as white patches or plaques in the mouth.  Persistent patches may need treatment by a dentist.

Lichen planus

A rare rash that shows up as lacy, white patches or red shiny bumps on the inside of the cheeks, but also on the tongue, could be lichen planus. No one knows what causes it or the resulting inflammation. Generally, mild lichen planus doesn’t need any treatment. If it causes pain or ulcers, it can be treated with oral and topical medication. Oral lichen planus can be chronic and may increase the risk of oral cancer. Lichen planus can also affect skin, scalp, nails and genitals.

Geographic tongue

When parts of your tongue are missing some of their small bumps (called papillae), you end up with raised and lowered spots, giving your tongue a map-like appearance. The spots can change location, pattern and size within minutes to hours. Geographic tongue is harmless and can come and go over time. It usually doesn't need any treatment. If there's pain, over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications can help.

Mouth cancer

A mouth sore that doesn't go away for weeks; unexplained numbness in the face, mouth, or neck; problems chewing, speaking or swallowing - these are a few of the symptoms of mouth cancer. The causes can include smoking, drinking heavily, overexposure to the sun and a family history of cancer. Don't let fear keep you from the dentist or doctor - oral cancer that is caught early is treatable and curable.

TMJ

A problem with the jaw called temporomandibular joint syndrome can cause severe pain in the jaw, face, ear or neck. Clenching, tooth grinding or injury can all cause TMJ, but the results are often the same: pain, headaches, dizziness and even trouble swallowing. Treatment may involve rest, a mouth guard, medication or surgery.

Chipped teeth

Munching on ice or hard sweets, grinding or clenching teeth, even exposing teeth to heat and cold can lead to chips, cracks and breaks in your teeth. Tiny chips or cracks may not be a bother, but anything more could lead to pain or permanent tooth damage. Your dentist can offer dental bonding, tooth contouring, porcelain veneers and crowns to fix badly damaged teeth.

Amalgam tattoo

Have you ever noticed a small blue-grey "stain" in a soft part of your mouth after dental work? Called amalgam tattoos, they occur when a tiny piece of amalgam filling gets embedded in your cheek or gum. The silver in the amalgam leaches into your mouth's soft tissue, resulting in what looks a bit like a tiny tattoo. Amalgam tattoos pose no harm, but if the blue-grey spot grows or changes colour, that's not an amalgam tattoo. Ask your dentist to check it.

Gum disease

Red, swollen or bleeding gums could be gingivitis, which can cause teeth to loosen and fall out. Also called gum disease, gingivitis - a form of periodontal disease - can happen when an illness, medication, plaque or other problem leaves gums vulnerable to bacterial infection. Prevention is the best strategy. That means daily flossing and brushing, as well as regular visits to the dentist. Severe gingivitis may require antibiotics.

Periodontal disease

With periodontal disease like gingivitis, bacteria in plaque can cause receding gum lines. Pockets form that become infected and can cause bone loss. Proper oral hygiene can help prevent periodontal disease. Smoking, poor diet and stress can make it worse. See your dentist to treat receding gums.

Aspirin burn

Have you ever let an aspirin nestle in your cheek, near an aching tooth? While you may hope this relieves pain faster, instead the acid in the aspirin burns a white, rough lesion into your gums or cheek. Preventing aspirin burn is simple - swallow those painkillers! Treatment for aspirin burn is just as basic: time. Simple burns should heal in about two weeks.

Cavities, abscesses & discolouration

Daily flossing and brushing help prevent teeth problems like cavities (shown here), abscesses and tooth discolouration. Your dentist can spot these problems before they become painful. Don’t delay treatment for severe toothache. Dental infections can spread to the face, skull and even to the bloodstream. See your dentist as soon as possible if your toothache lasts longer than one or two days or if you have a fever, earache or pain when you open your mouth wide.

Bad breath

Unbrushed teeth have food particles around them that promote bacteria and cause bad breath. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth may be from continuous breathing through your mouth, dry mouth, a sign of gum disease or even diabetes. Fight bad breath by brushing your teeth and tongue, drinking water and avoiding food triggers.

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