White plaque on the lips in adults is a common and unpleasant condition that carries aesthetic and psychological discomfort. Plaque can occur periodically, at different times of the day, and may be present on an ongoing basis. In most cases, this condition is not a sign of any pathology and independently passes through after some time.
Non-pathological causes
These are the most harmless factors of the appearance of white plaque on the lips in adults. These include:
- improper oral care;
- improperly composed menu with a predominance of foods low in vitamins and nutrients;
- dentures;
- the use of certain medications;
- depressive state;
- bad habits, especially smoking.
But the most important thing is that this condition is quite simple to fix - just remove the provoking factor.
Pathological causes
In some cases, white plaque may indicate that a disease has begun to develop in the body and there is no way to do without an examination. In particular, a white coating may appear on the background:
- infectious disease;
- with problems with the digestive tract;
- in the presence of immunodeficiency virus;
- with tonsillitis and scarlet fever;
- if there are diseases of the respiratory system or lichen planus;
- with diseases of the liver and thrush.
Localization Features
Depending on where white plaque appears on the lips in adults, the cause of its occurrence can be assumed.
In the corners of the mouth. This localization of plaque is typical for smokers and for people who do not carefully monitor oral hygiene. In some cases, this may be a symptom of the development of candidiasis or vitamin deficiency.
The problem is on the outside of the lips. In most cases, such plaque is accompanied by the formation of a dry crust. And this suggests that, most likely, cheilitis or herpes are present, and perhaps these are negative consequences from tattooing.
The problem is on the inside of the lips. Such manifestations most often indicate the presence of a fungal infection. Especially if there are curd masses, plaque not only on the lips, but also on the tongue, cheeks, even tonsils.
If there is a sticky coating on the lips in the morning, then most likely the person has problems with the stomach or esophagus.
Thrush
This disease develops against the background of “awakening” of fungi from the genus Candida. In most people, these bacteria are present in the body throughout life, but as soon as the immune forces are weakened, the fungus immediately begins to make itself felt.
The disease can arise even from contact with dirty or spoiled food. Alcohol and certain drugs can trigger a plaque. Hormonal and antibacterial medications are especially dangerous.
The cause of white plaque on the lips in adult women can be pregnancy. Quite often thrush appears in the first trimester, but eventually disappears on its own. But if the fetus is large, then treatment may be required, since the mother's body may not be able to cope with candidiasis on its own.
Thrush can occur during menopause or during puberty due to hormonal disruptions in the body.
Symptoms and treatment of candidiasis
As soon as the disease begins to develop, the symptoms immediately make themselves felt. Plaque appears on the lips and inside the mouth, irritation may begin, cracks appear on the lips and redness in the corners of the mouth. Almost every day, the symptoms intensify and, if untreated, very quickly develops into a chronic form. In this case, the sick person already has severe discomfort, wounds appear in places of white plaque, which bleed and fester.
The fungus quickly enough “spreads” along the mucous membranes, and can appear on the cheeks and palate. It becomes difficult for a sick person to chew food. Therefore, it is very important to seek medical help in time so that the fungus does not begin to affect other organs.
In the treatment of white plaque on the lips in adults, which arose against the background of candidiasis, creams, tablets and capsule medications for oral administration, sprays are used. If plaque is present only on the lips, then only ointment or cream can be used. Sprays help to cope with a disease that manifests itself in the oral cavity. If the fungus has already penetrated the digestive tract, then drug treatment is used. The most commonly used drugs are Pimafucin, Futsis, Itracon, and Medoflucon. In pediatrics, intravenous solutions are used, but it is better that they be administered by a medical professional.
Stomatitis
In fact, in medicine there is no such term as “stomatitis”. This is a collective image, which includes diseases of the oral cavity, accompanied by an inflammatory process. Such diseases are characterized by painful and uncomfortable sensations in the mouth. Pathogens can be bacteria and fungi. White plaque inside the lips of an adult can also indicate that stomatitis has appeared.
However, there are a number of characteristic signs of the presence of the disease:
- red, small bubble vesicles that appear on the entire mucous membrane of the oral cavity;
- light white plaque, which appears against the background of an increase in the level of leukocytes;
- fever;
- increased white blood cell count.
Stomatitis is transmitted by contact-household method, so you should carefully monitor oral hygiene and be sure to wash food well.
The correct diagnosis can only be made by a doctor, as well as prescribe an adequate treatment. The simplest method of treatment involves the rehabilitation of the oral cavity, in these cases, soda solution, antifungal medications or herbal decoctions are used. If the fungal cause of stomatitis is still diagnosed, then antifungal drugs, ointments and lipsticks are prescribed.
In addition to therapeutic measures, it will be necessary to adjust the diet and maintain optimal water balance in the body, monitor the humidity in the room.
If the problem occurs in the morning
If white plaque on the lower lip in adults appears after sleep, then it is most likely that this is simply dried saliva, which spontaneously flows from the oral cavity during sleep. When the problem occurs only occasionally, the raid does not have a pungent smell, then it should not cause any concern. Such a film is quickly removed after a morning hygiene procedure.
Most often, such a problem occurs if a person has a stuffy nose or has problems with his teeth (caries or periodontal disease). However, the morning raid can speak of more severe pathologies, especially if it appears on a regular basis.
In particular, a white bloom in an adult on the upper lip or / and lower, appearing in the morning after sleep, may indicate that there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract, either increased acidity, or there are worms. If, along with a raid, a clear crust appears and these symptoms are accompanied by dry mouth, then most likely the body lacks B and A vitamins, butulism or mumps, salivary gland dysfunction, or Sjogren's syndrome may already have begun.
If, after the morning hygienic procedure, plaque appears again, then this is definitely a sign of the development of some kind of pathology, and this condition requires immediate medical attention.
White plaque on the lips in adult men is often a consequence of the addiction - smoking.
How to get rid of a problem?
To eliminate plaque on the lips, you should simultaneously act in two directions:
- eliminate the identified cause of this condition;
- conduct regular local treatment of the oral cavity.
The standard oral care activities include brushing your teeth in the morning and evening. After eating, it is necessary to rinse your mouth, clean the space between the teeth with dental floss, but not with a toothpick. Be sure to visit your dentist regularly, even if nothing hurts, prevention will prevent tooth decay and other problems with teeth and oral mucosa. Try to give up bad habits and eat food only in a warm form.
To get rid of white plaque in the corners of the lips in adults, you can make lotions of essential oils: lemon, lavender, bergamot. Until the raid stops, treat problem areas 2-3 times throughout the day with a cotton swab dipped in oil.
It will be useful to conduct an antiseptic rinse. Decoctions of herbs can be prepared independently at home. The easiest recipe is to dilute propolis in warm water and rinse your mouth with it, cranberry juice or a mountain ash decoction are also suitable. You can make a decoction of several herbs: celandine, calendula, sage and birch buds. And you can buy a ready-made medical product in any pharmacy network.
Finally
And, of course, you should monitor your immunity. If everything is in order with him, then no infection will enter the body.