Why does a bubble form?
The mucous membrane of the lips, cheeks and tongue contains hundreds of small salivary glands with thin ducts. If the duct is ruptured by biting or blowing, saliva spills into the surrounding tissue and a cavity forms around it - this is the most common option. Less commonly, the duct becomes blocked by a stone or scar, and the gland swells from the inside. Separately, there is a ranula - a large mucocele on the floor of the mouth associated with the sublingual salivary gland. It can be much larger than usual and requires a different approach.
- Duct rupture due to trauma is the main mechanism
- Blockage of the duct with a stone or scar
- Typical location: inner surface of the lower lip
- Ranula - large formation under the tongue
- Contents: viscous transparent saliva
Symptoms
The formation appears quickly, within a few days, and usually does not hurt. It is soft and mobile to the touch; when located superficially, it is translucent and appears bluish; when located deeply, it matches the color of the mucous membrane. The size may fluctuate: the bubble either increases or decreases after accidental opening. The mucocele interferes rather mechanically: the tongue constantly bumps into it, the formation is bitten and injured again. Pain and redness appear only when an infection occurs.
- Soft mobile bubble on the mucous membrane
- Translucent or bluish tint
- Size changes over time
- Spontaneous opening with release of viscous fluid
- Reappearing in the same place
- Pain only with inflammation
Diagnostics
In most cases, the diagnosis is made upon examination: the characteristic localization, soft consistency and association with lip biting are quite typical. The doctor clarifies how many times the formation appeared and opened, examines the teeth and dentures in search of a traumatic factor. For deep or large formations, especially under the tongue, an ultrasound of the salivary glands is prescribed to assess the size and relationship to the gland. The final answer is provided by histological examination of the removed tissue, which simultaneously excludes tumors of the minor salivary glands.
- Inspection and palpation of the formation
- Search for traumatic factors in the mouth
- Ultrasound of the salivary glands with a deep location
- Histological examination after removal
- Tomography for extensive ranula
Treatment
A small mucocele is sometimes observed in a child: some of the formations disappear on their own within a few weeks. If the blister persists, interferes, or returns regularly, it is removed surgically under local anesthesia. An important condition is to remove not only the membrane, but also the damaged salivary gland itself, otherwise the formation will appear again. For large ranula, other techniques are used, which are chosen by the surgeon. You cannot pierce the vesicle with a needle, squeeze it out, or burn it with home remedies: the contents will leak out, but the cavity will remain, and the risk of infection will increase.
- Observation in the first weeks in children
- Surgical removal of the cyst along with the minor salivary gland
- Local anesthesia, outpatient intervention
- Special tactics for ranula under the tongue
- Prohibition on self-piercing
- Histological examination of removed tissue
Prevention and what to do after surgery
Since the main cause is injury, prevention consists of eliminating it. The dentist smoothes the sharp edges of teeth and fillings, adjusts dentures and braces, and, if necessary, makes a protective mouthguard. It is useful to pay attention to the habit of biting or sucking your lip, especially when nervous. After surgery, in the first days, soft and non-hot food, careful brushing of teeth and rinses prescribed by the doctor are recommended. The stitches are usually removed after a few days, and healing is assessed at a follow-up examination.
- Smoothing sharp edges of teeth and fillings
- Correction of dentures and braces
- Quitting the habit of biting your lip
- Protective mouthguard for bruxism
- Soft foods and gentle hygiene after surgery
- Control examination and removal of sutures