Dental and Oral Health (Children) |
Cheek Area03/08/2010 |
Recently, I noticed a fluid-filled sac located in my inner cheek. The area feels a bit tender to the touch, and I noticed a small amount of dark blood inside the sac. What could this be due to? How do I go about cleaning the area?
This could be a mucocele or a bruise ("blood blister"), either of which could be caused by injury (biting the area; sharp piece of food). Both of these are harmless and don't require any special precautions related to cleaning. If it is a mucocele, then it often will fill up, break open and drain, heal over, and repeat the process until it is removed surgically.
If the problem lasts for more than 2 weeks, you should see an oral pathologist for evaluation.
For more information please refer to the NetWellness article on the condition Mucocele.
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Carl M Allen, DDS, MSD Professor of Oral Pathology College of Dentistry The Ohio State University |