Definition
The frenulum labii are thin folds of mucous membrane located between the upper lip and the gums or the lower lip and the gums. The labial frenulum is not considered to have a special function. They are rather a remnant of the development of the oral cavity.
Inflammation of the labial frenulum can be caused by various reasons, in most cases it is a banal disease. Only rarely are both – the upper and the lower – labial frenulum affected at the same time. The inflammation often disappears after a few days.
Causes
The causes of labial frenulum inflammation can be various. First of all, small injuries to the labial frenulum caused by, for example, pointy food can lead to small wounds on the labial frenulum. Thereby it can become inflamed.
Above all, the inflammation occurs when germs penetrate through the small injuries. An inflammation of the gums or an inflamed or rotten tooth can also cause an inflammation of the labial frenulum. Here the inflammation spreads and also affects the labial frenulum.
Germs can also penetrate through a newly pierced piercing. On the other hand, it can also be an aphthae, which is caused by a herpes virus infection. This can occur only at one place (for example at the lip frenulum) or also at several places in the mouth. Since many people are infected with the herpes virus and it remains in the body, it can be reactivated in people under stress, immunosuppression or even colds and can cause aphthae in the mouth in addition to the well-known lip herpes. Aphthae – especially those that occur recurrently – can also be caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency or iron.
Diagnosis
If you are unsure what the inflammation on the labial frenulum means, you should see your doctor. He will have a conversation with you to find out where the inflammation can come from. By asking specific questions, he can narrow down the cause.
Afterwards he will carry out a physical examination. For example, he will palpate the lymph nodes, which are often swollen when an inflammation occurs. Above all, he will look into the mouth and look at the labial frenulum and the surrounding area.
If a vitamin B12 deficiency or iron is suspected, he can check this by means of a blood count. If toothache for inflammation should occur at the same time, a dentist should be consulted. He or she can treat the trigger – for example an inflamed tooth.
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