

Li Cui

About me
Graduated with a master's degree in Clinical Dentistry from Central South University in 2008, has been engaged in clinical dentistry for 9 years, currently a Ph.D. student at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Central South University. A member of the Chinese Stomatological Association, a member of the Dental Pulp Committee of the Hunan Branch of the Chinese Stomatological Association, a member of the Hunan Oral Health Management Committee, and has extensive clinical experience.
Proficient in diseases
Diagnosis and treatment of dental caries, pulpitis, various types of periapical periodontitis, periodontitis, dental implant surgery.

Voices

Can fresh aloe vera be applied to crusted angular cheilitis?
When patients experience crusting of angular cheilitis, it is not advisable to apply fresh aloe directly because removing some scabs can lead to local infections. The components in commonly cultivated aloe are not suitable for applying on wounds as they cannot guarantee sterile procedures and may cause allergic reactions during use. Some aloe plants may be exposed to pesticides during growth, which could hinder the healing process of patients' wounds. Therefore, it is recommended that patients use aloe vera gel instead of applying fresh aloe directly, as aloe vera gel is processed through manual operations and is suitable for use on human skin.

How to Manage Bad Breath During Adolescence
There are various causes of bad breath, generally, it might be due to an accumulation of dental stains, plaque, and tartar in the patient's mouth, which are not cleaned in time, failing to develop a good habit of brushing teeth morning and night. It could also be due to the patient staying up late frequently, leading to internal heat in the body and gastrointestinal dysfunction, which might result in bad breath. Or it could be irregular eating habits, often consuming spicy and irritating food, causing the patient's body to have excessive internal heat. In such cases, dietary adjustments can be made, adopting a light diet and regular living habits. If the patient has a lot of dental stains, they can visit a formal dental hospital for treatment and teeth cleaning. Removing dental stains, tartar, and plaque can eliminate bad breath and also provide good protection for the health of the teeth themselves.

How to determine the type of angular cheilitis.
Angular cheilitis is relatively common in everyday life, especially prevalent among children. The most common type seen is nutritional angular cheilitis, generally caused by a deficiency in vitamins due to children’s frequent picky eating, loss of appetite, and malnutrition. The symptoms usually manifest as moist whitish areas at both corners of the mouth, accompanied by ulcers and raw sores. In severe cases, it can spread to the inner mucosa and vary in length. Another type of angular cheilitis is streptococcal angular cheilitis, generally caused by infections from streptococci or staphylococci. This type of cheilitis typically results in erosion at the corners of the mouth, present with horizontal lines, and due to the bacterial infection, localized bleeding, crusting, and pus formation may occur. Local cleansing followed by the application of antibiotic ointments can be very effective for treating this condition. A less common type is fungal angular cheilitis, also known as candidal infection angular cheilitis, typically occurring in children when their immunity is compromised. The moist local environment leads to similar damage at the corners of the mouth, along with whitish erosion. It is crucial to maintain hygiene and boost the child's immune system to manage this type of angular cheilitis.

Does lip balm work for angular cheilitis?
Angular cheilitis is a relatively common phenomenon during the autumn and winter seasons, generally due to the dry weather, which may cause the lips to crack. If the lips have not yet cracked, applying lip balm regularly can help moisturize and repair the lips. However, if angular cheilitis occurs and there is already some skin damage and peeling, it is recommended that patients apply an anti-inflammatory ointment, which can aid in anti-inflammatory repair. Lip balm can generally be used for daily application to moisturize, but it is still recommended that patients seek appropriate treatment and possibly take some vitamins or trace elements orally.

Signs of improvement in exfoliative cheilitis
Exfoliative cheilitis is a type of skin lesion on the lip mucosa of unknown cause. Generally, the skin on the lips is delicate, and exposure to certain external stimuli can cause dryness, cracking, bleeding, and peeling. This condition is often associated with certain bad habits of the patient. For instance, due to dry weather, a patient might frequently lick their lips, leading to long-term irritation and consequently causing cracking and bleeding. It could also be possible that the patient has come into contact with some allergenic substances. This is commonly seen in females; for instance, an allergic reaction triggered by applying lipstick or lip balm can lead to peeling of the lips. In such cases, it is generally advised that the patient identifies and avoids the cause. When the patient's skin shows signs of crusting and peeling, it might generally indicate an improvement.

Is it definitely tongue cancer if a tongue ulcer hasn't healed in two months?
Tongue ulcers are a type of oral ulcer, generally characterized by localized erosion of the skin and soft tissue mucosa, with a surface showing some whitish substances. If a patient experiences long-term oral ulcers that do not heal over an extended period, it is recommended that they seek medical attention at a hospital to identify other possible causes. Various factors, including certain medications, foods, or other systemic diseases, can lead to tongue ulcers. Tongue ulcers persisting for two months are not necessarily indicative of tongue cancer, so patients are advised not to worry excessively but should promptly visit a hospital for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

The difference between angular cheilitis and herpes.
Angular cheilitis is a relatively common oral disease in daily life, often occurring during the autumn and winter seasons. This is mainly because during the dry weather of these seasons, patients lacking some trace elements or vitamins in their bodies can easily develop inflammation. The symptoms of angular cheilitis and herpes that occur in any season are quite similar, so many patients can easily get confused. The inducement of angular cheilitis is generally due to some patients' lack of vitamins and related to the weather, which can cause ruptures in the mucous membranes of the mouth corners and some dryness of the lips. As the condition worsens, symptoms such as swelling, erythema, ulcers, and rough skin appear in the area of the mouth corners. If caused by herpes, it results in blisters due to herpes virus infection.

How long does it take to cure cheilitis?
How long cheilitis can be cured also depends on the condition of the patient's local symptoms of cheilitis, as well as the measures taken by the patient. If good treatment and protective measures can be taken, the healing time is relatively short, generally about a week. Patients must pay attention to hydrating and sealing moisture in the lips, preventing further spread of the condition, deeply repairing all damaged tissues, reconstructing the protective barrier of the lip mucosa, and restoring some normal layers of the lip skin. It is advised that patients should be careful with their diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, use less lipstick or other cosmetic products that irritate the lips, and avoid frequently licking the lips with the tongue, as this is harmful to the lips. Patients are advised to try to eliminate these bad habits.

Can the melanin left by cheilitis be removed?
When a patient has recovered from crusted cheilitis, their lips might appear slightly darker in color. This condition generally improves over time. It is recommended that patients should not be overly concerned and can apply some aloe vera gel or vitamin E appropriately. These can effectively eliminate pigmentation from scars and aid in the recovery of scar coloration. Additionally, if a patient develops cheilitis, it is crucial to maintain local hygiene and avoid infections. Persistent infections and inflammation can increase local irritation and potentially damage some soft tissues, leading to worsened scarring. Patients are advised to maintain a light diet.

Does cheilitis itch?
Cheilitis generally occurs more frequently during cold, dry seasons and can vary in severity from time to time. There are many causes of cheilitis, which may be related to psychological factors, excessive fatigue, malnutrition, endocrine disorders, a deficiency of certain vitamins, or traumatic factors. It can cause an itchy feeling and sometimes a painful sensation. If cheilitis is caused by herpesvirus infection, it could lead to significant pain. It's also possible that during the recovery phase when crusts form, a slight itching might occur. This generally indicates that the cheilitis is in the recovery phase, which is a sign of improvement. It is advised that patients should not scratch with their hands, but can gently apply a small amount of anti-inflammatory ointment with a cotton swab to the affected area. If the itching is very severe, one can cautiously press with a sterile cotton swab, and perhaps puncture lightly. However, it is crucial not to scratch with hands, as our hands often carry many bacteria, which can lead to further bacterial infections. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)