Why do the corners of my mouth keep splitting

We can also see if your dentures are fitting properly. Replacing missing teeth provides better facial support and could minimize wrinkling around the mouth. And, of course, keeping up daily brushing and flossing helps ensure a healthy and disease-free mouth. With our help and of other medical professionals we may be able to give you relief from this irritating condition. Antifungal ointments can also be applied liberally to the corners of the mouth several times a day to clear infection.

They may be used in combination with a steroid ointment to control redness and inflammation, as well as zinc oxide paste or ointment, which is a barrier skin repair agent that has antifungal properties. If infection arises from inside the mouth, it is likely to recur if only the corners of the mouth are treated.

Chlorhexidine rinses can also be used to treat minor oral yeast infections. It is also effective for cleaning and scrubbing dentures; however, it is important to leave them out at night. Although not as common, any systemic conditions that cause perleche will also need to be treated.

Your dentist should also replace any missing teeth and ensure that dentures are properly fitting. Optimal oral health and proper lip support from within the mouth can lessen or remove the cracking and wrinkles at the lip corners. Insufficient intake of some B vitamins and zinc have also been associated with angular cheilitis, potentially because of their roles in keeping the immune system strong.

It can prompt people with Down syndrome to keep their mouths open and let their tongues protrude, irritating the corners of their mouths. Age: Many of these risk factors translate into elderly people being most likely to develop angular cheilitis. Elderly people are more likely to experience dry mouth , for example. They also often have compromised immune systems, which makes it more difficult for them to fight off infections, says Dr. Additional risk lies in age-related changes around their mouths, says Joshua Zeichner , M.

Zeichner tells SELF. I had my own random risk factors. For instance, my bout of the condition happened in the winter months, when skin and lips tend to get super dry , according to Dr. Oral appliances: My symptoms also coincided with me wearing my nightly retainers again after totally ignoring them for a few years, which is a pretty common cause. First off, you need an accurate diagnosis.

Fortunately, most dermatologists and oral medicine specialists are able to diagnose angular cheilitis right away. Zeichner says. This will help them diagnose a cause. It could also lead to oral thrush. The underlying cause of angular cheilitis will determine treatment.

If yeast is present, your doctor will likely prescribe a topical antifungal. Once your doctor is able to determine the underlying cause of angular cheilitis, it typically responds well to treatment.

Most of the time, itchy lips are related to allergies. But sometimes, itchy lips are a symptom of a less common health condition. From infections to…. Your lips are made of skin that is soft and delicate. As a result, they can easily crack and split under certain conditions. Learn how to identify and treat actinic cheilitis, also known as farmer's lip, plus see photos of this condition. A diet lacking in nutrients may cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms.