Papillomas in the mouth - just like on other parts of the body - appear suddenly. When multiple small neoplasms appear on the body, lips, tongue, tonsils and palate, it is usually a question of HPV - the human papillomavirus. Today we learn about the causes of these growths in the mouth, about how to remove them and preventive measures to prevent re-infection.
Causes of HPV
Papillomas in the mouth can occur when injuring the mucous membrane during various dental procedures and prosthetics, or if a person has such bad habits as consuming too hot food or drinks (for example, burning tea).
The risk of HPV infection is very high with a decrease in both general and local immunity. It can be provoked by prolonged use of antibacterial drugs or hormonal tablets. Often papilloma on the lip or in the oral cavity occurs with chronic diseases of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract and with hormonal imbalance.
Types of formations in the oral cavity
The described neoplasms are divided depending on the place of appearance and form:
- Flat papillomas - appear on the gums. Such formations are slightly pinkish, and their surface is granular.
- Epithelial papillomas are reddish growths, they are soft and mobile to the touch.
- Simple papilloma in the mouth. Photos of this type of education can be seen in our article. It has a pineal shape, the base of which is flat.
- Genital papillomas (appear with oral sex).
- Filiform condylomas - are formed in any part of the oral cavity. Such growths have a thin leg and are easily injured.
Danger of neoplasms in the mouth
Papillomas in the mouth mainly appear in the throat, on the tongue, tonsils, palatine arches and even on the vocal cords. They can not only cause discomfort, but also pose a serious danger to human health.
So, papilloma in the mouth, a photo of which can be seen in this article, can disrupt diction and cause bad breath, but most importantly - it can develop from a benign formation to a malignant one. With the growth of the epithelium, cell growth can become uncontrollable, therefore it is important to identify a benign tumor in time and remove it correctly.
Ways to eliminate growth
Papilloma in the mouth, the treatment of which must be started as soon as it is detected, can be removed by various methods:
- cutting out a medical loop;
- a laser;
- excision of formation with a scalpel;
- exposure to ultrasound;
- electrocoagulation;
- conhotome;
- radio wave excision.
The most popular method today is the removal of education using a laser.
Manipulation
Before getting rid of papilloma, the patient undergoes tests to exclude the malignant nature of the tumor. The doctor does not process the place where the education is located, does not anesthetize, since laser removal is an absolutely painless manipulation. Safety glasses are put on to the patient, and a beam of laser beams is directed to the formation.
Laser removal lasts no more than a minute. Specially directed rays evaporate water in a problem place, the cells dry out and begin to turn into a crust. True, after half an hour the skin turns red and swells, but this is normal. After a few days, this passes, and the crust that appears at the site of exposure disappears on its own within a week.
Advantages and disadvantages of laser treatment
Like any type of treatment, a laser has its advantages and disadvantages. The pluses include:
- lack of blood and pain;
- sterility of manipulation;
- short rehabilitation period;
- speed of carrying out;
- lack of risk of further infection;
- lack of influence on taste perception;
- the ability to remove several papillomas in the mouth per session.
But there is one drawback in the laser exposure procedure - the high cost of carrying it out.
Complex treatment
If a person thinks that oral papilloma can be eliminated by a laser and no further therapeutic measures are needed, then this is a misconception. After all, such a growth of a benign nature appears due to infection of the whole organism. And this means that you need to get rid of the virus comprehensively, otherwise it can again cause the appearance of papillomas.
For this, doctors prescribe complex therapy, which includes 3 points:
- Oral cleansing.
- Antiviral treatment. Routine vaccination (not always available).
- Strengthening immunity.
And so that the oral cavity does not become a source of constant infection, it is necessary to take all measures so that the person does not have papillomas on the mucosa. To do this, it is necessary to get rid of caries, remove plaque and stone in time, and also treat inflammatory processes.
Medical and preventive measures
The use of antiviral agents allows you to influence the cause of tumors. In this case, special drugs reduce the activity of the virus and prevent its further reproduction. Among a large number of such funds, doctors distinguish the following effective drugs: Panavir, Famvir, Cycloferon.
To prevent relapse, the doctor may offer the patient a vaccination against the HPV virus. For this, the drug "Gardasil" is most often used. The vaccine contains organic substances that do not cause pain and help the body to develop cells of the immune system. They are in the future and block the ability of the virus to penetrate into the body. But a person must understand that vaccines help protect against a problem, but they do not eliminate it, so the drug Gardasil is not used for treatment.
The age of vaccination against papillomavirus is limited to 26 years. Later, vaccinations are undesirable, because their effectiveness will be reduced several times. In general, the HPV vaccine helps a person defend against the virus for at least 7 years.
How to avoid the appearance of papillomas
If a person’s body defenses are weakened, then a papilloma may appear on his lip, tongue and other parts of the body again and again. This requires drugs that strengthen the immune system. A specific complex of vitamins is prescribed by a doctor.
And as you know, any disease is better to prevent than to deal with long and expensive treatment. To prevent infection with papillomavirus, the following points must be observed:
- Daily proper oral hygiene. Do not use someone else's toothbrushes and lipsticks, because they can be infected with a virus.
- Use of a condom even with oral contact.
- Nutrition The daily diet of a person must necessarily include fresh vegetables and fruits, cereals. Healthy food will help strengthen the immune system and prevent the virus from entering the body.
- Regular visits to the dentist. It is a specialist who can detect a problem in time and begin treatment of a benign growth.
Conclusion
Papillomas in the mouth can occur in any person under certain circumstances: reduced immunity, non-observance of personal hygiene rules, after unsuccessfully performed dental procedures, etc.
Today, medicine offers patients to get rid of such growths by several methods, the safest and most effective of which is laser removal. But we must not forget about such rules as good nutrition, timely vaccination against the virus, as well as compliance with the rules of oral hygiene.