How to Stop Inside of Mouth Peeling

Inside of the mouth peeling is a tell sign of a number of oral and general health problems. While some of these are harmless, others may be an indication of something serious. Symptoms will usually disappear after a few days. However, if symptoms persist consult a doctor for diagnosis and better treatment. Here is a closer look at causes and methods of how to stop inside of mouth peeling.

Causes of Skin Peeling Inside Mouth

There are very many reasons why you can find inside of mouth peeling. Some of them are very harmless, but others can be too serious. Doctors are able to identify and then treat any peeling that is caused by irritation or even burns.

Here are some of the most common causes of skin peeling inside the mouth

1. Toothpaste or Mouthwash (Listerine)

Mild allergic reactions to toothpaste could be one of the reasons why the inside of your cheeks may be peeling.

It could also imply something more serious like gingivitis, canker sores or even the more serious mouth ulcers, or Stevens – Johnson syndrome.

The safety of the alcohol in mouthwash is still debatable. Some experts are more concerned that the alcohol found in the mouthwash causes oral cancer. While these concerns have resulted to studies, none have been able to indicate a correlation. But caution should be taken and the frequency of use should never be exceeded.  You really do have to brush your teeth, but using mouthwash is optional.  It’s just one of several ways to improve the dental health.

The most popular mouthwash that has alcohol is Listerine. Listerine is recommended when required as it has been shown to improve gingivitis and even gum disease. But, it is very strong for some and should not be overused. The alcohol as well as the essential oils give it a strong flavor to say the least.  It is so strong that it can burn. It takes a lot of getting used to it and possibly some diluting using pure water.

The alcohol that is found in Listerine mouthwash might dry the mouth. It may alter sense of taste, and lead to tissue sloughing. Tissue sloughing is more like inside of mouth peeling.  When sloughing happens, the tissue rolls off the cheek in a white stringy pieces.

Allergic Reactions after Brushing

Some individuals experience a mild allergic reaction to the whitening toothpastes. If you suspect that this is the cause of the inside of mouth peeling, simply stop the usage of toothpaste.

Some patients have a very mild allergy to the whitening toothpastes like Colgate Optic White. Others are more allergic to the Crest Health formula.

Those who’ve had these reactions will understand the description above. However, if you have not, do not worry. These are perfect products and are very beneficial to lots of people.

When tissue sloughs off, you will notice and feel in the mouth a stringy substance. It appears and feels like a slimy long pieces of soft white skin. It feels like the skin of the cheeks is peeling off a little. This should never hurt but is somewhat very annoying.

What to Do To Prevent Inside Of Mouth Peeling From Toothpaste

What you should do after inside of mouth peeling is to discontinue the use of the toothpaste in use.  After about 10 days then you should note an improvement. Ensure to continue to use the toothpaste that has fluoride to assist strengthen and also protect against cavities.

2. Gingivitis or Periodontal Disease

Gums peeling is an indication of a more serious condition. You could be having a very bad case of gingivitis or even a periodontal disease.

Both gingivitis and periodontal disease make the gum tissues to become inflamed. If left untreated, the gum could begin to recede and some of the gum tissue may even be lost. If the gum is both receding and also peeling away at the same time, get to the dentist urgently.

3. Canker Sores or Mouth Ulcers

You may have had canker sores or mouth ulcers. They tend to appear like the small white bumps on the gums. As the ulcers heal, some of the gum tissue around them can start to peel. It’s crucial that you visit a dentist much more regularly. He will be able to check for sores, as the mouth ulcers can be an indication of the mouth cancer.

Stomatitis is the inflammation of the lining of any of the soft-tissue structures. If this happens in the mouth, it leads to inside of mouth peeling. It is normally a painful condition. Other symptoms include; redness, swelling, and occasional bleeding from the affected area.

Inflammation can be brought about by the conditions in the mouth itself. These include, poor hygiene, from burns from the hot food or drinks. It may also be from that affect the entire body, like the medications or infections.

Children can develop the stomatitis at any other point in their development. Anywhere from infancy to adolescence. The two most common types that are seen in children are,

• The herpes stomatitis (brought about by the herpes simplex virus)
• Aphthous stomatitis, also known as canker sores

4. Stevens – Johnson syndrome

Stevens – Johnson syndrome is a much more serious condition. Inside of mouth peeling is a late symptom. It happens long after all of other symptoms have already presented themselves. This condition normally happens as a reaction to the infection or a medication. It starts with the flu-like symptoms followed by a purple or red rash that blisters. This then spreads along the skin and the mucous membranes of the mouth (and even the genitals and eyes).

The top layer of the affected areas of the skin might die and then shed (the peeling). Recovery might take months. If, in addition to the flu-like symptoms, you have any of the symptoms that are mentioned above, you are required to see a doctor as soon as possible. The good news on Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is that It’s rare.

If you’re at all concerned about the inside of mouth peeling, the gums peeling from teeth or any other symptoms that are appearing in the mouth, consult a dentist.

5. Burns after Eating Hot Foods.

The external skin isn’t the only spot of the body that may be burned. Bite into a piece of food that’s too hot, and you can experience “food burn”. It may happen on the hard palate, or even the roof of the mouth. Sip on coffee that’s hot or bite into a straight-from-the-oven food, then you could burn the tongue. Hot foods and drinks may do a number on the mouth’s delicate tissues.

Sensitive tissue inside the mouth is susceptible to burns compared to other tissues in the body. That’s due to the fact that it’s so delicate and very thin. In order to fully appreciate the sensation of eating as well as drinking, the skin requires to be delicate. But as it’s so delicate, it can be damaged quite easily.

Misjudging of the temperature of a hot cup of tea or slurp of a soup may need you to pay the painful effects for days or even weeks. As long as the burn in mouth is mild, all you are required to do is take steps to soothe the discomfort until the sensitive tissue heals on its own. However, a much more severe internal mouth burn can call for an immediate medical attention.

A first degree burns is the mildest form. It should be able to heal within 3 to 6 days. It presents with;

• Pain
• Dryness
• Minor swelling
• Peeling of the topmost tissue in the mouth in one or two days

In the meantime however, using a mouthwash or a cold-sore medication on the affected spot may help numb the mouth reducing pain. It also lowers the risk of infection in the burned areas. Suck on popsicles or ice, gargle using cool water or take a pain reliever to help reduce discomfort.

6. Skin Sloughing Inside the Mouth from Kissing and Oral Sex

You should be able to understand that disease-causing microbes may spread by direct contact with the saliva. It may also spread via the blood from the mouth or even indirect contact with saliva- or blood-contaminated surfaces. These include hands or lips, droplet infection from the coughing, sneezing or a normal speech.

Airborne microbes may get into you as you inhale, ingest or even through the eyes, nose or the mouth and skin.

Oral sex might spread STDs like the gonorrhea, syphilis and mononucleosis. Viral diseases like hepatitis B, herpes, gingiva-stomatitis and others may begin from an oral contact. The doctor can be able to accurately diagnose what the dead skin in the mouth really is.

7. Inside of Mouth Peeling due to Drug Reactions

Certain drugs have been associated with the gingival overgrowth. Medications used in chemotherapy may cause a rapid turnover of the oral skin cells. Ulcerated mucous membrane may form a breeding ground for bacteria, fungal and even viral strains. Cancer patients undergoing bone marrow radiation might show signs of the mouth skin changes known as mucositis. The doctor should be able to suggest several other ways to ensure the oral hygiene.

Experts also recommend brushing the teeth twice a day using a standard fluoride toothpaste. Replace the toothbrush every few months. Clean between the teeth. Floss to get rid of plaque and other food particles trapped between the teeth and even under the gums. Antibacterial mouth rinses as well as fluoride toothpastes keep the infectious microbes at bay.

The risk of gingivitis or tooth decay can be minimized if you follow the dentist recommendations. Of course, fluoride toothpaste is not for children younger than five.

Be sure to buy accredited approved dental appliances and oral hygiene products and it may be a good idea to stop smoking or alcohol and take a balanced diet and then limit between-meal snacks.

8. Skin Peeling in Mouth after Quitting Smoking

When you smoked, you were “smoking the gums” and throat the way you can smoke a piece of salmon. The gums and the tissues built up a crust. When you stopped smoking, that old, hard crust will then slough off. In its place you will obtain a new, fresh tissue, almost like when a baby is teething.

Only about one out of thirty people who stopped smoking get a sore mouth, or tongue. If you are that one, the mouth will feel like it is on fire.

The mouth (and even the tongue) are all lined with a special type of a skin (mucosa). It is thinner than other skin and appears pink. Some changes to the mouth lining may change its color to white.

9. Mouth Ulcers or Peeling inside the Mouth from Oral Fittings

Mouth ulcers may be white due to thicker layers of skin cells that are formed during repeated healing processes. Poorly fitting dentures are a possible cause of mouth ulcers. Dentists and doctors are concerned lot about the white patches that can’t be rubbed or even scraped away.

It is very common for the people to have a line of white along the inside of the cheeks. This is where the teeth rub against the cheek (and is normal). Some types of oral piercings that get into contact with inside the mouth skin may cause ulceration and skin peeling.

Mouth ulcers can also be due to burns from hot foods or drinks. They present as white blisters. These blisters usually peel off soon afterwards.

Note that the white lines described above should not be confused with  thrush. If you have been ill for a while or haven’t moved your tongue around much, you can get a furry white tongue.

This is because the skin that is found on the taste buds has not been rubbed off normally. You can simply scrap this off using a toothbrush.

10. Skin Peeling and Lesions from Oral Infections

Bacteria and viruses normally lead to inside of mouth peeling. They may affect teeth, palate (roof of the mouth), tongue, lips, and even inside of cheeks. Simple oral infections are limited to the mouth and are very different from the oral lesions. Oral lesions are non-infectious and can be a sign of the illness that involves other parts of the body. Oral infections are quite common.

Lesion is a general term that refers to sores or a damaged or irregular areas of tissue, most of the oral infections are not much contagious as the bacteria that exist naturally in every other person’s mouth lead to them. However, herpangina and recurrent herpes labialis are contagious and also spread through contact with the fluid from an infected person’s mouth.

Lip rashes can be brought about by several factors. Herpes simplex virus (HSV I and HSV II) is a common cause of rashes around the mouth and lips. The specific lesions brought about by HSV are known as cold sores or fever blisters.

Impetigo is the common bacterial infection that also can lead to a rash on the face, often affecting the mouth and lips. Oral thrush (overgrowth of yeast in the mouth) can also lead to lip irritation. Most of the dermatologists will easily be able to diagnose these types of lip rashes that are brought about by pathogens.

Psoriasis and lichen planus are the skin diseases that can also manifest on the lips. Hypothyroidism and Jorgen’s Syndrome are the diseases that can lead to very dry lips (though there are also other symptoms that are very prevalent than just the lip involvement in each of the illnesses). Erythema multiform can lead to inside of mouth peeling when there is mucosal involvement.

11.  Inside of the Lip Peeling from Chewing Tobacco

Peeling off of the oral mucosal lining spontaneously is a condition that is also termed as oral epitheliolysis. This is harmless in most instances but may be very alarming for the patient. In a clinical setting, epithelial peeling is seen as superficial plaques or dots, which are painless, and can be easily lifted from the lining covering the inside of the mouth. The lesions disappear spontaneously when the incriminating factor is removed. The diagnosis is then made solely on the basis of the history as well as the clinical features.

Although most of the people relate smoking with a heart disease and even lung cancer, oral cancer is a disease which is associated with smoking. Both smoking as well as chewing tobacco can lead to the oral keratosis, a condition in which patches of buccal mucosa turns into white and eventually peel off.

12. Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamins and Minerals are so crucial to a healthy, functioning human body – it’s relevant to notice the signs of vitamin deficiency. Vitamins and other minerals (those nutrients that are found in multivitamin) are very critical as they help the body to carry out some of its crucial functions like preventing of inside of mouth peeling. A vitamin is a complex molecule, while a mineral is a single element that is found in the periodic table.

Oral Stomatitis may be an early sign that you are lacking a certain vitamin.

13. Rough Brushing of Teeth

It’s also recommended that you brush your teeth gently to avoid inside of mouth peeling. Use circular motions and slowly work the way from one side of the mouth to the other so as to avoid injuries the inside of the mouth tissues. Keep bristles at a 45° angle to the gum line when brushing the front teeth and gums.

Check out this video on how to brush your teeth properly without causing injuries to the mouth

Pay special attention to areas you tend to neglect, like the back of the front bottom teeth, the sides of wisdom teeth and the back side of the lower teeth that is below the tongue. You should also brush the tongue to get rid of the bacteria leading to bad breath. It’s crucial to avoid scrubbing of the teeth, which may lead to small cuts or scrapes.

14. Dry Mouth and Peeling due to HIV

It’s estimated that about 90% of people infected with HIV will develop at least one of the oral condition that is related to the HIV disease. The conditions, like candidiasis and even hairy leukoplakia, may be the first sign of immune suppression that is linked to the HIV infection and in most of other people are the first signals that lead doctors to encourage HIV testing. Most show up as lesions or even sores and can be categorized into four types:

• Abnormal cell growth
• Fungal
• Viral

15. Inside of Mouth and Tongue Peeling due Lupus

Oral lesions not associated with the active disease happen in up to about 40% of people who have lupus and are normally a result of the reaction to a drug that is being used to treat lupus or any other condition. They have a non-characteristic coloring of a red or white – or even both red and white – and are much painless.

Oral lesions associated with active disease are usually red mouth ulcers that are surrounded by a white halo and a white radiating lines. These are the more typical discoid lesions and are only observed to people who have the active disease, and you should tell the physician as soon as you notice them. These types of lesions, which can be or cannot be painful, most often happen inside the cheeks, on the hard palate, and on the lower lip.

How to Stop the Inside of My Mouth from Peeling

In some other cases, certain mild health conditions like the common cold, nutritional deficiencies, allergies and the dehydration may lead to the inside of mouth peeling as it is dry and also cracked. It is very easy to care for a chapped and even dry inside of the mouth. There is a lot that you can do so as to reduce the severity of the problem.

The best way to go about this is to target the cause;

• Increase water intake
• Avoid exposure to the cold or sun
• Stop the use of tobacco
• Clean your teeth properly
• Limit smoking and alcohol consumption
• Avoid the use of toothpaste, medication, food or drink that causes your allergies
• Use Simple home remedies such as warm salty water

There should be an improvement of these symptoms in a few days to a week.

Under the rarest of the circumstances, chapped and even dry mouth may need medical care. This mainly happens when the body is much dehydrated. If the condition is accompanied by several other symptoms like the confusion and lethargy, it would be a perfect idea to seek medical attention.

Further references;

1. Cracked, Chapped and Dry Lips: http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Cracked,-Chapped-and-Dry-Lips.html
2. Stomatitis: http://www.healthofchildren.com/S/Stomatitis.html
3. Oral Concerns in People With Lupus: https://www.hss.edu/conditions_oral-concerns-lupus.asp
4. HIV and the Mouth: http://www.thebody.com/content/art5033.html
5. Top Warning Signs You May Have Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency: http://www.undergroundhealth.com/signs-you-may-be-deficient-in-vitamins-and-minerals/
6. Peeling Off Of Oral Mucosal Lining – Oral Epitheliolysis: http://www.steadyhealth.com/medical-answers/peeling-off-of-oral-mucosal-lining-oral-epitheliolysis
7. Oral Infections: http://www.humanillnesses.com/Infectious-Diseases-My-Si/Oral-Infections.html