Cracked, sore corners of the mouth, especially when opening wide or eating sour or salty food, is something many people have had. Sometimes the cause lies in the teeth and dentures, not just dry lips.
- Cracked corners of the mouth can come from dry lips, lip licking, nutritional shortage, pooling saliva or a fungal infection.
- A loose or old denture can keep the corners moist and make them crack easily.
- Keeping the corners clean, not licking or picking and drinking enough water with a balanced diet help recovery.
- Cracks lasting over two weeks or returning repeatedly are a reason to be checked.
Many people get cracks at the corners of the mouth, sometimes red, sore and bleeding when they open wide or eat sour or salty food. This is often called angular cheilitis. It may clear within days, but it can also keep coming back if the cause has not been found.
Common causes
- Dry lips and skin around the mouth, especially in dry weather, or a habit of licking the lips.
- Nutritional shortage, such as certain micronutrients including iron and B vitamins.
- Saliva pooling at the corners, common in people with a loose denture or a low bite, which keeps the corners moist all the time.
- A fungal or bacterial infection in the moist corners, especially when there is thrush in the mouth.
- A habit of sucking or holding fingers or objects in the mouth.
How are teeth and dentures involved?
When many teeth are missing or a denture is old, the height of the face can drop and folds form at the corners of the mouth where saliva easily collects. A loose denture also makes it hard to close the mouth fully. See what to do when a removable denture is loose or makes the gums sore.
What can you do at home?
- Keep the corners clean and lightly dry, and do not lick them or pick at the crusts.
- Drink enough water and eat a varied, balanced diet.
- If you wear a denture, take it out to clean every day and let the mouth rest at night, see whether to take a denture out when sleeping.
- Do not apply unknown substances to the crack before the cause is clear.
When should you see a dentist?
Have it checked if the cracks last more than two weeks, keep coming back, have pus or hurt a lot, or you wear a loose denture. Nha Khoa Ky Hoa is at 266A - 268, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. You can walk in during opening hours, or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 to ask about quieter times first. The dentist will check your teeth, denture and bite, and advise further tests if a nutritional shortage is suspected.
Frequently asked questions
Are cracked corners of the mouth caused by a vitamin shortage?
It can be linked to a shortage of certain micronutrients such as iron and B vitamins, but it may also come from dryness, lip licking or pooling saliva. The specific cause needs to be found.
Can wearing a denture cause cracked corners?
It can, especially when the denture is loose or old and keeps the corners moist. A dentist should check and adjust the denture.
How long do cracked corners take to heal?
Usually days to a week or two if kept clean and the cause is removed. If it lasts or keeps returning, have it checked.