Crohn's disease is a condition caused by inflammation of the digestive tract. Any part of the digestive tract, from the anus to the mouth, may be affected by Crohn's disease. While symptoms affecting the small intestine are most commonly reported, symptoms affecting the mouth also occur in rare cases. When mouth symptoms do develop, they frequently coincide with a flare-up of symptoms affecting the rest of the digestive tract.
Sores
Sores or ulcers may develop in the mouths of patients with Crohn's disease, similar to the ulcers that develop inside the intestines. These sores can occur anywhere in the mouth, such as the tongue, gums, lips, soft palate or the buccal cavity, the space just above the gums where the lips meet the gum line, reports an article published in the April 1974 issue of "Digestive Diseases."
Abscesses
Abscesses, which are small, pus-filled, infected cavities, can also develop in the mouths of patients with Crohn's disease. These abscesses also may form anywhere in the mouth, such as the tongue, gums or buccal cavity, the article in Digestive Diseases reports. Abscesses are often very tender and painful.
Inflammation
Crohn's disease may result in inflammation of various parts of the mouth, according to an article published in the December 1972 issue of the "Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine." The lips, gums, hard palate and soft palate are examples of parts of the mouth that may become painfully swollen and tender. The swelling may result in a condition known as erythema, which gives a bumpy, cobblestone appearance to the affected area.
Cavities
In some cases, cavities in the teeth may result from Crohn's disease, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dental cavities and other symptoms affecting the mouth often improve following standard treatment from Crohn's disease.
References
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Crohn's Disease
- "Digestive Diseases"; Crohn's Disease of the Mouth; Michael S Fedotin et al, April 1974
- "Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine"; Crohn's Disease with Mouth Involvement; Julia P Ellis; December 1972
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Crohn's Disease
