What Is Mouth Disorders?

Common mouth problems include cold sores, canker sores, thrush, dry mouth, and bad breath. Discover information on all of these common disorders.

*Health information sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. co-pay.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.

Your mouth is one of the most important parts of your body. It has many different functions. It allows you to:

  • Take in food and drink
  • Breathe in air
  • Start digestion, with your teeth chewing the food you eat and your salivary glands releasing saliva to help break down the food
  • Speak and sing
  • Show emotion, by smiling or pouting

Any problem that affects your mouth can make it hard to eat, drink, or even smile. Some common mouth problems include:

  • Cold sores - painful sores on the lips and around the mouth, caused by a virus
  • Canker sores - painful sores in the mouth, caused by bacteria or viruses
  • Thrush - a yeast infection that causes white patches in your mouth
  • Leukoplakia - white patches of excess cell growth on the cheeks, gums or tongue, common in smokers
  • Dry mouth - a lack of enough saliva, caused by some medicines and certain diseases
  • Gum or tooth problems
  • Bad breath

Treatment for mouth disorders varies, depending on the problem. If a mouth problem is caused by some other disease, treating that disease can help. It is also important to keep your mouth clean and healthy by brushing, flossing, and not using tobacco.

Get the facts on Mouth Disorders.

Sign up for our newsletter to get expert tips on condition management and prescription savings.