We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Mucous Cyst?

K.C. Bruning
By
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 63,077
Share

A mucous cyst is a thin sac filled with fluid that usually grows in areas in or around the mouth. They are mostly commonly found near or on the lips, though they can also grow on the tongue or palate, the mouth floor, the gums, or the inside of the cheeks. Mucous cysts may also appear at the site of lip or tongue piercings. The cysts are painless, common, and tend to be more annoying than harmful.

An average mucous cyst can be diagnosed with a physical examination. They consist of a sac that is a small, shiny, domed bump, filled with a fluid that has a blue hue. If it is not treated, the cyst can leave a permanent, but harmless bump, although it is just as likely that they will eventually entirely disappear on their own. The cysts on the mouth floor are known as ranula, while cysts that grow on the gums are called epulis. It is commonly believed these cysts will grow as the result of parts of the mouth being pulled through the teeth via sucking.

The cysts tend to grow slowly and start deep in soft tissue. When they appear on the surface of the skin, they are usually firm to the touch. There are two primary kinds of mucous cysts: superficial and classic.

Superficial mucous cysts tend to be smaller and it is easier for them to pop under pressure, leaving a small ulcer. These cysts typically appear on the lower lip. Classic mucous cysts are larger and firmer to the touch. They are more likely to appear inside the mouth, in places such as the mouth floor, cheek, gums, or inner upper lip.

Most of these cysts will eventually burst without intervention. Occasionally they will heal faster and with less hardening of the area if a sterile needle is used to pop them. As there is a risk of infection and permanent tissue damage, any attempt to drain the cyst should be done by a qualified medical professional. Cysts that are particularly uncomfortable or that continue to return can also be removed by a doctor.

As it has not traditionally been fully understood why these cysts grow, there has been no widely-accepted way to prevent them. Evidence suggests that the cysts are likely the result of trauma in the area where they appear. For this reason, many doctors recommend avoiding trauma to the mouth area by sucking the tongue, lips, or cheeks so that they slide through the teeth.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
K.C. Bruning
By K.C. Bruning
Kendahl Cruver Bruning, a versatile writer and editor, creates engaging content for a wide range of publications and platforms, including The Health Board. With a degree in English, she crafts compelling blog posts, web copy, resumes, and articles that resonate with readers. Bruning also showcases her passion for writing and learning through her own review site and podcast, offering unique perspectives on various topics.
Discussion Comments
By anon290516 — On Sep 10, 2012

I had a dentigerous cyst about six years ago. I had swelling on the entire floor of my mouth and secretions during sleep were painful. Almost all my teeth are loose.

By Sierra02 — On Oct 28, 2011

My sister used a homeopathic treatment to clear up a ganglion cyst on her wrist. Even though she doesn't believe in conventional medicine, she did seek advise from both her general practitioner and her dermatologists.

She was just about to schedule surgery with a hand and foot sports surgeon when she read about the home remedy for cyst removal.

For thirty minutes a night for about three to four weeks she placed a cloth on her wrist that had been soaked in castor oil and then put a heating pad on top of that.

It worked! It's been two months since her treatment and there's no sign that it had ever been there.

By babylove — On Oct 27, 2011

My boyfriend had a classic mucous cyst on the inside of his lower lip once. It was huge and really nasty looking. I couldn't kiss him for weeks until it finally went away. He has a bad habit of sucking in the skin inside his lower lip when he gets nervous. His mom told me he used to get them a lot as a child and pretty much always in the same place. I guess this is something we'll have to work on together.

K.C. Bruning
K.C. Bruning
Kendahl Cruver Bruning, a versatile writer and editor, creates engaging content for a wide range of publications and...
Learn more
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-a-mucous-cyst.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.