What causes corners of the mouth to crack?

At times, the corners of our mouths become excessively dry and start cracking. Have you wondered what we call this condition? Well, it is a harrowing and uncomfortable oral disease known as cheilitis or angular cheilitis. Also known as perleche, this problem manifests in dry and inflamed mouth corners, lesions or fissures on the corners, and excruciating pain. Angular cheilitis may either be viral or bacterial, and the causative factors may be numerous. So first, let us find out the root causes of angular cheilitis and how to prevent them.

Causes of angular cheilitis

The two main causative factors of cheilitis are – external and internal factors. The condition’s external causes include allergic reactions to cosmetics or drugs and exposure to extreme heat or cold or the sun. This type of cheilitis can be termed contact cheilitis. The internal causes of cheilitis include oral infection, autoimmune disorders, vitamin deficiencies, and age-related factors. We must be mindful of the ingredients we put on our lips and inside our mouths. Therefore, patch-testing lipsticks and other makeup products become crucial.

1. Research reveals that 90 percent of angular cheilitis is caused due to poor diet. Vitamin deficiency is the most common cause of cheilitis. The absence of vitamin B2 in the body slows down the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates and decreases energy production.  
2. Skipping meals can result in binge eating and stomach ulcers and rob the body of essential nutrients. As such, the susceptibility to be diagnosed with cheilitis increases. Therefore, timely meals can help in preventing cheilitis.
3. Research has identified approximately 30 allergens in toothpaste, and they are common in most of the tubes available in the market. In addition, research shows that toothpaste is the second most typical cause of contact cheilitis after lipsticks. On the contrary, it is the most common cause of cheilitis among males.
4. Celiac diseases may be an underlying cause of cheilitis. It is a disease that adversely affects the digestive tract, and consequently, the capacity of your intestines to absorb nutrients is hampered. Therefore, angular cheilitis is a warning symptom of celiac diseases. 
5. Dehydration is another leading causative factor of cheilitis. The absence of enough liquids in the body could reflect in the mouth as dry and cracked corners.
6. We know that saliva is a warehouse of bacteria and viruses. Therefore, constant licking and biting of the lips may create an environment conducive to the escalation of bacteria and fungi and lead to problems like angular cheilitis. 

Ways to prevent cheilitis

Precaution is better than cure, and this statement has unrivaled affirmation in the area of dental health. So, it is better to be aware and follow the necessary steps to avoid the occurrence of cheilitis in the first place. If you bite or lick your lips often, you must get rid of that habit. You should avoid the prolonged use of lipsticks and lip liners. Eating vegetables and fruits abundant in vitamin A, vitamin B12, and zinc is necessary. Being particular about the products you use on your mouth and the foods you eat will go a long way.

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