Dental Health Forum - Inflammation in Mouth, Dryness, and Pain when eating...

Conditions and Diseases > Dental Health Forum > Inflammation in Mouth, Dryness, and Pain when eating...

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Q: Inflammation in Mouth, Dryness, and Pain when eating...

asked by: DoctorQuestion on September 8th, 2006

Under my tongue to the right of the piece of skin that connects tongue to mouth I have a small red nodule hanging off. It is situated alongside what looks like a vein which is on each side of the tongue, attached to the under tongue surface. There is actually a hanging nodule on both sides but the right side (looking slightly more swollen) is causing sharp pain when eating or when mouth becomes dry and therefore nodule becomes stuck to tongue and is shifted.
Should this piece of skin/nodule be there? Can it be removed?
How can it be treated and what kind of doctor should I see?
I have noticed that I am producing and ejecting more saliva than usual, but immediately following eating or drinking I am getting extra dryness in my mouth-This is following a visit to the dental hygenist a week ago- is this connected?

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on September 19th, 2006

Dental Health Answer A1493

According to your description, you probably are experiencing inflammation of the mucosa around the opening of the common excretory canal of the right sublingual and submandible salivary gland. Inflammation can cause an edema to stick to the canal, prohibiting saliva from the right submandible and sublingual gland from draining. When eating or when the mouth becomes dry, the salivary glands produce more saliva. If the saliva can’t leave the canal, pain occurs. Inflammation can be caused by injury or when a small piece of food gets stuck in the opening. In this case, a secondary infection usually occurs because the mouth is full of bacteria. Oral antiseptics usually help in treating this condition. You may consult a dentist for an expert opinion and help.

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