Toggle navigation
Palos Dental Center
Leslie A McKane DDS  | Richard J McKane DDS | Joseph Mardjetko DDS


12721 South Harlem Avenue Palos Heights, IL 60463
Phone: (708) 448-9415  Fax: (708) 448-9423
Email: [email protected]

Email for Dr.Joseph Mardjetko: [email protected]

Email for Dr.Richard McKane: [email protected]

  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Request an Appointment ( Please call the office to schedule any appointments )

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Patient Education

There's a Quick Fix For That Irritating Mouth Sore You Keep Biting

  • Blog Home
  • Oral+Health
  • There's a Quick Fix For That Irritating Mouth Sore You Keep Biting

There's a Quick Fix For That Irritating Mouth Sore You Keep Biting

By Palos Dental Center
December 20, 2020
Category: Oral Health
Tags: mouth sore  
TheresaQuickFixForThatIrritatingMouthSoreYouKeepBiting

As the old Fifties song goes, “Little things mean a lot.” They can also be the most irritating, like a hangnail, a papercut—or a certain kind of oral sore. Although rarely concerning to health, this particular kind of “bump” in the mouth can be unnerving.

Although known as a traumatic fibroma, it's not as dire as it sounds: It's simply a small wound created when your inside cheek gets in the “line of fire” between your teeth while biting or chewing. It's an experience most of us have had, and though it's a minor occurrence, it can make us wince with pain.

But the pain usually lasts only a few seconds—until the next time, which is a distinct possibility. The body creates a protective callous over the wound made of fibers (hence the name fibroma) of a protein called collagen. This creates a rise in the skin surface that increases the chances the area will again get in the way of the teeth and be bitten. Each bite leads to another layer of collagen, a more prominent rise and even greater probability of another bite.

Rather than let this irritating situation repeat itself, you can undergo a minor surgical procedure to remove the fibroma. Usually performed be an oral surgeon or periodontist, the area is numbed first with a local anesthetic and the fibroma removed with a scalpel; the resulting wound is then closed with a few stitches or a laser, in which case no stitches are necessary. As a result, the cheek surface flattens out and becomes less likely to get in between the teeth.

The dentist may also preserve some of the removed tissue and submit it for a biopsy to check for any cancer cells or other abnormalities. You shouldn't be concerned about this: Examining excised tissue is a routine step performed for a variety of surgical procedures. It's used to verify the tissue in question is benign, which in this case is the vast majority of the time.

After the procedure, you might experience some minor discomfort for a few days, usually manageable with a mild pain reliever like aspirin or ibuprofen. The procedure itself only takes about fifteen minutes, but it can provide you lasting relief from that bedeviling little sore in your mouth.

If you would like more information on treating mouth sores, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Common Lumps and Bumps in the Mouth.”

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2021
      • February (3)
        • You Can Have a Straighter Smile - Just Like the Queen of England
        • Local Anesthesia Makes for a More Pleasant and Pain-Free Dental Experience
        • Two Good Options for Temporarily Replacing a Teenager's Missing Tooth
      • January (3)
        • 3 Reasons Why Dental Implants Are a Sound 'Smile' Investment
        • Wisdom Teeth Can Still be a Problem for the World's Youngest Billionaire
        • Hockey Season Is Upon Us - Is Your Star Athlete Ready With Mouth Protection?
  • 2020
      • December (3)
        • 4 Things You Can Do To Protect Oral Health During Cancer Treatment
        • There's a Quick Fix For That Irritating Mouth Sore You Keep Biting
        • Too Old to Straighten Your Smile? Not If You're Like These A-List Celebrities
      • November (3)
        • 4 Areas Deserving Attention as You Protect Your Teeth for a Lifetime
        • 3 Ways to Protect Your Dental Work From an Early Demise
        • Keep an Eye on Your Teeth and Gum Health During Cancer Treatment
      • October (4)
        • What Tara Lipinski Does to Protect One of Her Most Valuable Assets - Her Smile
        • 4 Ways You Can Better Manage Dental Care for a Child with Down Syndrome
        • 3 Ways We Can Improve a Smile Affected by Unformed Teeth
        • Addressing Risk Factors: Taking the Fight Against Tooth Decay to a New Level
      • September (3)
        • How Veneers Restored Howie Mandel's Winning Smile
        • Use Appropriate Hygiene Products for Maximum Smile Protection
        • Take These Steps to Alleviate Chronic Dry Mouth
      • August (3)
        • A Word to Young Adults: Brushing and Flossing are Key to a Healthy Mouth
        • Miley Cyrus's Little Secret: Straightening Her Smile With Lingual Braces
        • Floss First or Brush First? You Be the Judge
      • July (3)
        • A Shingles Outbreak Could Interrupt Your Dental Care
        • Use This Product to Check Your Brushing and Flossing Effectiveness
        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
      • June (3)
        • 4 Things You Should Do - or Not Do - to Maintain Your Oral Appliance
        • Certain People may Benefit from Antibiotics Before Implant Surgery
        • 3 Surprising Things You Should Be Doing to Improve Your Dental Health
      • May (3)
        • What You Can Do About Bad Breath (Unless You're a Famous Actress Pranking Your Co-Star)
        • 3 Things You Should Do to Protect Your Teeth Later in Life
        • You Should Brush and Floss Around Your Implant to Ensure its Longevity
      • April (3)
        • A 4-Step Process for Achieving Your Highest Oral Health Possible
        • Janet Jackson: Even pop stars get insecure about their smiles!
        • Don't give up on Flossing!
      • March (3)
        • Oral Irrigation can be an Effective Alternative to Traditional Flossing
        • Even All-Natural Fruit Juice Could Increase the Risk of Tooth Decay
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
      • February (3)
        • Implant Failure Is Rare, but Possible. Here Are a Few Ways to Avoid It
        • See Your Dentist to Find out the Real Cause for Your Tooth Pain
        • Tobacco: One Baseball Tradition We Can Do Without
      • January (3)
        • Hugh Jackman Is All Smiles for His New Broadway-Inspired Show
        • 3 Surprising Foods That Could Help You Fight Tooth Decay
        • You May Need Something Other Than Ointment to Clear up This Facial Rash
  • 2019
      • December (3)
        • Here's How to Cut Through All the Choices to Find Your Right Toothbrush
        • Viggo Mortensen's Red-Carpet Smile
        • Determining the Right Whitening Approach is Key to Brightening a Dull Smile
      • November (3)
        • 5 Tips to Keeping a Healthy Mouth During Your College Years
        • Eating the Right Carbs Helps Keep Your Gums Healthy
        • Why Alfonso Ribeiro Is Grateful for Root Canal Treatment
      • October (3)
        • There Are a Lot of Bacteria in Your Mouth but Only a Few Mean You Harm
        • Don't Panic Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding but Do Keep an Eye on It
        • Improving Hygiene Skills Maximizes Removal of Disease-Causing Plaque
      • September (3)
        • Lady Gaga Wasn't "Born This Way?"
        • Reduce Your Risk of Oral Cancer with a Healthy Diet
        • Things you Should Know about Oral Cancer
      • August (3)
        • Why Bear a Chipped Tooth?
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
        • A Stainless Steel Crown Could Extend the Life of a Primary Molar
      • July (3)
        • Bone, Gums and Implants - Keeping a Healthy Balance for a Beautiful Smile
        • A Healthy Diet Could Lower Your Risk of Oral Cancer
        • Pop Star Demi Lovato Pops Out Jay Glazer's Tooth
      • June (3)
        • Good Reasons to Consider Orthodontics - Even in Adulthood
        • What You can Do to Stop Sugar from Harming Your Health
        • These 3 Tasks Show How Saliva is Amazing
      • May (3)
        • Crazy Little Thing Called... Hyperdontia?
        • Partial Dentures: an Affordable Alternative to More Expensive Restorations
        • Consider an Effective and Affordable RPD for Teeth Replacement
      • April (3)
        • E-Cigs Could be Just as Hazardous for Your Teeth and Gums as Cigarettes
        • How Shawn Mendes and Miley Cyrus Got Their Stellar Smiles
        • Know the Facts Before you Go Abroad for Dental Care
      • March (4)
        • Make Sure Your Dentist Knows You're Taking Daily Aspirin
        • Limit Acidic Beverages to Protect Your Child's Tooth Enamel from Erosion
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
        • Three Things You May Not Know About Root Canal Treatments
      • February (2)
        • Take Care of Your Gums, Take Care of Your Heart
        • Local Anesthesia Takes the Pain Out of Most Dental Work
      • January (3)
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
        • Professional Cleanings Help you Maintain Healthy Teeth and Gums
        • Why the Ointment You're Using Could be Making Your Facial Rash Worse
  • 2018
      • December (4)
        • Here are the Facts on the Impact of Metal Allergies on Dental Work
        • Bobby Bones Dances His Way to Dental Damage
        • Dental Visits are Key to Detecting Early Developing Tooth Decay
        • Stop Root Cavities with Prevention and Prompt Treatment
      • November (3)
        • 4 Things to Know About Diabetes and Gum Health
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • Effective Dental Care Depends First on Getting the Big Picture
      • October (3)
        • The Laser Revolution is Changing the Dental Healthcare
        • Some Blood Pressure Medications May Affect Your Oral Health
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
      • September (3)
        • 3 Things Your Dentist Recommends You do if You Have Shingles
        • A Teen's Missing Tooth May Require a Temporary Replacement
        • Think You Have Sleep Apnea? Find Out for Sure to Get the Right Treatment
      • August (3)
        • Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
        • Here's What to Do if Your Child has a Toothache
        • Dentures Still an Effective Restoration for Total Tooth Loss
      • July (3)
        • Don't Take a Vacation From Oral Hygiene This Summer!
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
        • An Implant-Supported Denture Offers a Number of Advantages
      • June (3)
        • Avoid These 4 Health Problems with One Simple Denture Practice
        • 3 Areas to Watch to Avoid Excessive Tooth Wear
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
      • May (3)
        • Diabetics with Gum Disease Benefit from Coordinating Treatment for Both
        • Not a Fan of Using CPAP for Your Sleep Apnea? Consider an Oral Appliance
        • Certain Mouth Rashes Don't Respond to Topical Steroid Treatments
      • April (2)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • Not Crazy about Flossing? Try a Water Flosser
      • March (3)
        • Local Anesthesia Eliminates Pain Completely During Dental Work
        • Irritating Cold Sore Outbreaks can be Controlled Through Medication
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
      • February (1)
        • Dentures Require Planning and Attention to Detail to Look Natural
      • January (3)
        • Why You Shouldn't Worry About the Mercury in Your Silver Fillings
        • New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Living with HIV includes Keeping a Close Watch on Your Oral Health
        • Use These Techniques to Enjoy Healthy Foods Even with a Jaw Joint Disorder
      • November (2)
        • RPDs Offer Another Tooth Replacement Option for those on a Tight Budget
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
      • October (3)
        • Toothbrushing Tips
        • The Secret to Preventing Gum Disease - Control Bacterial Plaque
        • Keep Your Saliva Flowing - Your Oral Health Depends on it
      • September (2)
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
        • Regular Flossing not Your Thing? Try an Oral Irrigator
      • August (2)
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Threatens Your Dental Implant
      • July (2)
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
        • 3 Cutting Edge Ways You Could Benefit from Dental Implants
      • June (2)
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • Not All Bacteria are Harmful to Oral Health
      • May (2)
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • While Usually Benign, Lichen Planus Lesions Should Still be Examined
      • April (2)
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • A Solution for Restoring Adequate Bone for Dental Implants
      • March (3)
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
        • Know the Risks and Benefits for Same-Day Tooth Replacement
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
      • February (2)
        • Plagued by Mysterious Mouth Ulcers?
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
      • January (2)
        • Choosing a Screw or Cement to Attach an Implant Crown
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Teeth Grinding Could be Causing Your Teeth to be Loose
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
      • November (2)
        • Changes in Bone Structure can Affect Denture Fit
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
      • October (2)
        • Limiting Refined Sugar in Your Diet can Reduce Risk of Tooth Decay
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
      • September (3)
        • Artificial Sweeteners can Boost your Dental Health
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • Keeping up Good Hygiene Still a Necessity with Dental Implants
      • August (2)
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Diet and Lifestyle Choices Key to Dental Health During College Years
      • July (2)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Proper Brushing and Flossing Removes Disease-Causing Plaque
      • June (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Know the Kind of Smile You Want Before Cosmetic Dental Treatment
      • May (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • To Prevent Tooth Decay, Practice Effective Brushing and Flossing
      • April (2)
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • Get a Handle on Stress-Related Tooth Grinding to Stop Tooth Damage
      • March (2)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
        • 3 Tips for Minimizing Enamel Erosion from Sports Drinks
      • February (3)
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • Saliva Performs Many Functions for Both Oral and General Health
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
      • January (2)
        • A Bird's-Eye View of Tooth Replacement
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • The Implant Process can be Shortened, Depending on the Tooth Type
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
      • November (2)
        • Know the Benefits - and Limitations - of Your Dental Insurance Plan
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • October (3)
        • Limit Sugar in Your Diet for Better Oral and General Health
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Setting the Record Straight on Root Canal Treatments
      • September (2)
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • Other Factors Besides Hygiene Could Contribute to Gum Disease
      • August (2)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • Temporary Tooth Replacement with Flexible Partial Dentures
      • July (2)
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
        • Taking the Dread Out of Dental Visits
      • June (2)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Changing Antibiotic Use Today will Help Ensure Their Effectiveness Tomorrow
      • May (2)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Preventing Dental Disease Starts with Assessing Your Unique Risk
      • April (2)
        • What Made American Idol Finalist Elliott Yamin Smile?
        • Oral Health Can Prove Challenging in Your Senior Years
      • March (2)
        • Olivia Newton-John Learned Healthy Oral Habits From Mom
        • Paying Attention to Certain Factors Helps Ensure Successful Implant Outcomes
      • February (2)
        • The Tiger and Mike Tyson's Teeth
        • Teeth Make a Picture-Perfect Smile
      • January (2)
        • A Royal Fix
        • Word Quiz on Oral Hygiene
  • 2014
      • December (3)
        • Take a Lesson From Hockey Player Mike Bossy
        • Keeping the Lid on Acid to Protect Your Tooth Enamel
        • Padma Lakshmi's Smile: A Recipe for Beauty
      • November (2)
        • Cosmetic Dental Options - Time For Change
        • Giuliana Rancic Prepares for Her Son's First Dental Visit
      • October (2)
        • Winning the Battle Over Tooth Decay
        • Actress Florence Henderson: You Are Never Too Old To Straighten Your Teeth
      • September (2)
        • Determining the Real Cause of Jaw Pain is Key to Effective Treatment
        • How to Impress Supermodel Bar Refaeli
      • August (3)
        • What in the World is Geographic Tongue?
        • John Lennon's Tooth Sold at Auction for $31,200!
        • The Sweet and Lowdown on Sugar Substitutes
      • July (2)
        • How The Biggest Loser Star Jillian Michaels Keeps Her Winning Smile
        • Red Wine and Tooth Staining
      • June (2)
        • Shaquille O'Neal's Slam Dunk Against Sleep Apnea
        • Spruce Up Your Smile With Teeth Whitening
      • May (1)
        • Early Orthodontic Care Helped Child Star Nolan Gould Get Ready for Prime Time
      • April (2)
        • Be Sure Your Dentist Knows You're Undergoing Aspirin Therapy
        • Replacing Missing Back Teeth Is Important - Just Ask Christie Brinkley!
      • March (3)
        • FAQs About Calming Your Fears With Oral Sedation Dentistry
        • How Taylor Hicks Keeps His Smile Bright
        • Welcome Blog

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (76)
  • teeth whitening (6)
  • sedation dentistry (2)
  • oral sedation (2)
  • dental implant (3)
  • medication (1)
  • aspirin (2)
  • orthodontic treatment (8)
  • cosmetic dentistry (9)
  • snoring (3)
  • sleep apnea (3)
  • oral health (31)
  • nutrition (10)
  • oral hygiene (35)
  • geographic tongue (1)
  • orthodontics (5)
  • jaw pain (1)
  • tmj (1)
  • tmd (1)
  • braces (8)
  • clear aligners (1)
  • tooth decay (12)
  • pediatric dentistry (2)
  • smile makeover (3)
  • dental injury (8)
  • mouthguard (2)
  • bonding (2)
  • dental implants (15)
  • antibiotics (2)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • partial denture (4)
  • bad breath (2)
  • gum disease (7)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • root canal (2)
  • sugar (1)
  • insurance (1)
  • chipped teeth (1)
  • tooth replacement (1)
  • missing teeth (2)
  • saliva (2)
  • teeth grinding (4)
  • stress (1)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • crowns (3)
  • artificial sweeteners (1)
  • dentures (5)
  • dental emergency (1)
  • wisdom teeth (3)
  • ulcers (1)
  • canker sores (1)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • mouthguards (3)
  • bone grafting (2)
  • chipped tooth (5)
  • lichen planus (1)
  • oral cancer (6)
  • veneers (2)
  • bacteria (1)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • flossing (4)
  • salvia (1)
  • plaque (1)
  • partial dentures (1)
  • tmj disorders (1)
  • hiv (1)
  • tooth pain (2)
  • fillings (1)
  • porcelain veneers (1)
  • cold sore (1)
  • anesthesia (1)
  • mouth rash (1)
  • diabetes (2)
  • tooth wear (1)
  • toothache (1)
  • retainer (2)
  • bridge (2)
  • shingles (1)
  • blood pressure medications (1)
  • medicine (2)
  • laser dentistry (1)
  • dental care (3)
  • metal allergies (1)
  • dental cleanings (1)
  • local anesthesia (1)
  • thumb sucking (1)
  • tooth erosion (1)
  • removable partial denture (1)
  • extraction (1)
  • adult orthodontics (1)
  • crown (1)
  • root canal treatment (1)
  • toothbrush (1)
  • dental exam (1)
  • lingual braces (1)
  • dry mouth (1)
  • cancer treatment (1)
  • mouth sore (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Dental Procedures (84)
  • Oral Health (126)

Our Location

12721 South Harlem Avenue
Palos Heights, IL 60463
(708) 448-9416

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday:7:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tuesday:7:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wednesday:7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Thursday:7:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Friday:7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday:7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Dental Web Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map