<p>Okay…for a good part of my life, I haven’t taken great care of my teeth. I had braces for a few years and I have a beautiful smile (so I’ve been told), and I never get that many cavities, so I just never really thought about taking care of my teeth. Then when I went to the dentist this summer and she had to do a lot of work just to “clean things up”, I decided to turn things around. I brush twice a day and floss when I remember.</p>
<p>For the past few months, though, I’ve noticed that there is some tissue peeling from the inside of my cheeks/lips. It’s not really painful, but it’s annoying as all get-out.</p>
<p>I’ve done some searching and read that it could be anything from STDs (which are not possible for me as I’m a virgin) to using the wrong kind of toothpaste (especially Crest which, coincidentally, I’ve been using since I moved to college, while my family usually uses Colgate).</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about this/have any suggestions?</p>
<p>Sounds like you should ask your parents to schedule another dental visit for you during Winter Break. Or, if you don’t have to work out transportation to the dentist with your parents, you can call the dentist’s office and schedule it yourself.</p>
<p>If your last dental checkup was during the summer, you’re due for another one anyway, and you can certainly ask your question during your routine visit.</p>
<p>Schedule a visit for a cleaning. A good dentist will check the entire mouth including cheeks and tongue. Don’t worry too much about it. My S2 had an issue with peeling/redness (no pain) on the inside of his cheeks. Come to find out, it’s due to a habit of biting the inside of the cheeks (which he wasn’t even aware of until it was brought to his attention).</p>
<p>Try toothpaste with baking soda. My younger daughter used to get cold sore around her mouth. I forget where I read it about baking soda is good for it. She started using it and hasn’t had a problem since. It may also be vitamin deficiency. Give your dentist or doctor a call.</p>
<p>A friend of mine got scurvy when he was in college. No vitamin C–bleeding gums and mouth lining changes showed up first. Do you eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables?</p>
<p>Hard to diagnose without seeing it. Some people have the habit of chewing on the inside of their cheeks & lips, sometimes unconsciously. Could also be a number of other things. Definitely get it checked.</p>
<p>You should definately give your dentist a call and make an appointment to have this checked out. I have been a dental hygienist for 30 years and this is fairly common. It has a variety of causes, usually is self-limiting, and not a serious problem. However, if it persists your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon to have the area biopsied. </p>
<p>Some common causes as others have mentioned are: a reaction to toothpaste, usually one that contains a “tarter control” component. A food allergy, a nervous habit of chewing on your cheek or tongue. One of my patients’ has had a condition like this for years. She has seen numerous oral surgeons through the years and no one has been able to diagnose the cause of the sloughing tissue. Good luck!</p>
<p>Go see your dentist; it needs to be eyeballed. Could be a number of things: reaction to toothpaste, mouthwash, spices, or yeast infection (have you been on antibiotics?), or illness. </p>
<p>P.S. Floss every day, not just when you remember. Unwaxed is best if you can do it. You’ll be glad that you did.</p>
<p>Do you chew “Big Reg” gum or something similar? I used to and it burned the heck out of my cheek. It would swell and peel. Stopped the gum, the irritation stopped.</p>
<p>My son has “oral allergy syndrome”. He has pretty severe seasonal allergies to a variety of pollens, and there are several fruit ( i.e. peaches, plums, strawberries) that stimulate a response by “mistake”. When he eats these things, if not cooked, his mouth itches, then peels. We went to a desntist tfirst, but ultimately ended up with an allergist. It is not a “true” allergy to fruit, and for him, there is no danger, but is IS “annoying as all get out”…</p>
<p>I’d see your doctor. I had something like that a while back from acid reflux. It’s such a pain when it came up but I haven’t had it in a while now. It’s easily taken care of if it’s the above. It feels often like the skin is peeling at times. I had it on the cheeks which is annoying because when you try to eat it stings.</p>
<p>Also I would not attempt to try to “clean” the area. By that I mean do not use peroxide or mouthwash too frequently or anything like that thinking it’s going to stop the bacteria or whatever it is that’s causing the tissue to peel. I remember the doctor telling me, not to use anything as the skin will heal itself. All the peroxide and mouthwash did was slow down the healing process though it felt like it was taking forever. Likewise, whatever you may have might just go away if you change your toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. or whatever certain foods you may be eating that’s causing this.</p>
<p>A dentist or doctor would know. I didn’t need a dentist to tell me when I had the mouth ulcer. But whoever is closest to you could help you. Heck, if you’re still on campus I’d recommend you go to the clinic on campus. I don’t know what your school’s policy is, but at my school, they take all students in whether or not you have an insurance plan. If you get prescribed something though you’re on your own if you don’t have insurance.</p>