If you’ve ever had painful cracks at the corners of your mouth that just won’t heal, you may have experienced angular cheilitis. It’s a common condition, but it can be persistent and uncomfortable if the underlying cause isn’t addressed.
What is Angular Cheilitis?
Angular cheilitis is inflammation and cracking at one or both corners of the mouth. It often looks like redness, splitting, or crusting right where the upper and lower lips meet.
It is not just “dry lips”—it’s usually caused by a mix of irritation and infection.
What Causes It?
Angular cheilitis usually develops when saliva collects in the corners of the mouth. This creates a moist environment where yeast (Candida) and sometimes bacteria can overgrow.
Common contributing factors include:
- Dry mouth or dehydration
- Lip licking or habitual saliva pooling
- Ill-fitting dentures that change mouth shape or reduce support
- Vitamin or iron deficiency
- Diabetes
- Weakened immune system
- Drooping of the corners of the mouth with ageing
- Skin conditions such as eczema
Often, it’s more than one factor working together.
What Does It Feel and Look Like?
Typical signs include:
- Cracked, split skin at the corners of the mouth
- Redness and soreness
- Burning or stinging, especially when opening the mouth
- Crusting or sometimes a white, moist appearance
- Discomfort when eating, especially salty or acidic foods
It can affect one or both sides.
Why It Keeps Coming Back
Angular cheilitis often doesn’t fully resolve if the underlying cause is not fixed. For example, treating infection alone won’t help if saliva continues to pool due to dry mouth, dentures, or lip posture issues.
How Is It Treated?
Treatment focuses on both healing the area and preventing recurrence:
- Topical antifungal creams if yeast is involved
- Antibacterial creams if bacterial infection is present or mixed infection is suspected
- Barrier ointments such as petroleum-based creams to protect the skin
- Addressing dry mouth with hydration or saliva substitutes
- Reviewing and adjusting dentures if they are contributing
- Checking and correcting iron or vitamin deficiencies if suspected
- Managing underlying conditions like diabetes
In stubborn cases, your dentist may recommend further medical testing.
Can It Be Prevented?
You can reduce the risk by:
- Keeping the corners of the mouth dry and protected
- Avoiding lip licking
- Staying well hydrated
- Maintaining good oral hygiene
- Ensuring dentures fit well and are cleaned daily
- Having regular dental check-ups
The Bottom Line
Angular cheilitis is common, uncomfortable, and often stubborn—but it is treatable once the underlying cause is identified.
At Dural Dental Practice, we assess not just the cracked skin, but what’s causing it in the first place. If you’re dealing with persistent soreness or cracks at the corners of your mouth, our team can help diagnose the cause and guide you to effective treatment so it doesn’t keep coming back.
