Overview
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Evaluation
Treatment
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pain in adults
pain in children
warning signs
Underlying Cause
Anatomy
Painful Gums Evaluation
The evaluation of mouth or tongue pain begins with a history and physical examination.
Physical findings in someone with mouth or tongue pain may include:
- Inability to open the mouth all the way
- Inability to close the mouth all the way
- Red, swollen tonsils
- White pus on the tonsils
- Red throat
- Severe swelling of the tonsil on one side of the throat
- Mouth or tongue lesions
- Mouth or tongue ulcers
- Swollen glands in the neck
- Facial tenderness
- Facial swelling
- Tongue swelling
- Swelling under the tongue or chin
- Mouth swelling
- Gum swelling and redness
- White coloration to the lining of the mouth
- White coating on the tongue or throat
Testing may be necessary to identify the cause of mouth or tongue pain.
Tests that may be used to evaluate mouth or tongue pain include:
- Throat culture
- Biopsy of a mouth lesion
- Complete blood count
- Dental x-rays
- Jaw x-rays
- Soft tissue x-ray of the neck
Continue to Painful Gums Treatment
Last Updated: Dec 21, 2010 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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PubMed Painful Gums References
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- Bruce AJ, Rogers RS 3rd. Acute oral ulcers. Dermatol Clin. 2003 Jan;21(1):1-15. [12622264]
- Byrd JA, Bruce AJ, Rogers RS 3rd. Glossitis and other tongue disorders. Dermatol Clin. 2003 Jan;21(1):123-34. [12622275]
- Frenkel LM. Herpes Simplex Virus Infections in Adolescents. Adolesc Med. 1995 Feb;6(1):65-78. [10358302]
- Porter SR, Leao JC. Review article: oral ulcers and its relevance to systemic disorders. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2005 Feb 15;21(4):295-306. [15709981]
- Ratcliff PA, Johnson PW. The relationship between oral malodor, gingivitis, and periodontitis. A review. J Periodontol. 1999 May;70(5):485-9. [10368052]
- Schatzle M, Loe H, Burgin W, Anerud A, Boysen H, Lang NP. Clinical course of chronic periodontitis. I. Role of gingivitis. J Clin Periodontol. 2003 Oct;30(10):887-901. [14710769]
- Teo J, Codarini M. Fevers and mouth ulcers. J Paediatr Child Health. 2001 Oct;37(5):507-9. [11885719]