Burning sensation corner of mouth
A burning feeling at the corner of the mouth usually reflects irritated, cracked lip tissue, angular cheilitis, or contact irritation, but the cause.
The short answer
A burning feeling at the corner of the mouth usually reflects irritated, cracked lip tissue, angular cheilitis, or contact irritation, but the cause needs examination if it persists.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Common contributors include saliva pooling, lip licking, denture-related changes, yeast or bacterial overgrowth, nutritional problems, and irritating toothpaste or cosmetics.
What can you do next?
Keep the area gently clean and dry, avoid licking or picking it, and use plain petrolatum as a barrier unless a clinician has advised another product.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange dental or medical review if the crack persists, spreads, crusts, bleeds, recurs, or is accompanied by mouth sores, facial swelling, or fever.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the finding is angular cheilitis, dermatitis, infection, or another lesion, and whether a swab, medication review, or blood test is appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Can there be more than one cause?
Common contributors include saliva pooling, lip licking, denture-related changes, yeast or bacterial overgrowth, nutritional problems, and irritating toothpaste or cosmetics.
What should I do while arranging care?
Keep the area gently clean and dry, avoid licking or picking it, and use plain petrolatum as a barrier unless a clinician has advised another product.