Definition: Fordyce granules or spots is a collection of sebaceous glands that occur in various locations in the oral cavity.
Synonyms: Fordyce Spots, Fordyce Disease
Etiology:
Inclusion of ectoderm having potentialities of skin in the oral cavity during development of maxilla & mandible- embryonic life
Differential Diagnosis:
- Sebaceous Hyperplasia
- Epidermoid cyst
- Dermoid cyst
Clinical Features:
Incidence: 80%
Age: Adults
Sex predilection : M=F
Site or Location:
- Buccal mucosa (opposite molar teeth)
- Fordyce Lips
- Retromolar region
Clinical appearance:
- Bilaterally symmetrical
- Small yellow spots either discreetly separated or forming plaques
- Projecting slightly above the surface of the tissue
Histologic Features:
- Similar to sebaceous glands of skin –but not associated with hair follicles
- Usually superficial just beneath the overlying epithelium which often produce local elevation of the epithelium
- Consist of few or more lobules grouped around one or more ducts which open on the surface of the mucosa
Treatment of Fordyce spots or Granules:
- Treatment is not required.
- Inflamed glands can be treated by Clindamycin
- But in case of any effect to physical appearance due to Fordyce spots or Granules on Lips the mode of treatment is: Laser Treatment of Fordyce spots on Lips is done
- Neoplastic Transformation has been reported but very rare.
Recurrence:
- No Recurrence is seen
About The Author
Varun Pandula
I am Varun, a Dentist from Hyderabad, India trying my bit to help everyone understand Dental problems and treatments and to make Dental Education simplified for Dental Students and Dental fraternity. If you have any doubts feel free to contact me or comment in the post, thanks for visiting.
i do have same issue as u mentioned above…….am using tetracycline as suggested by doctor…
but i do have symtoms like swelling of cheeks inside mouth
and also dry mouth
pls suggest does need any firthert investigation on this.
Stop using tetracyclines first.. they dont require any medication.. tetracyclines can cause swelling of gums and yellowish colour of tooth.. dryness of mouth condtion is called xerostomia.. for that u have to start taking lots of water intake .. swelling of cheeks is for another reason because of Fordyce spots.. if u r taking any other medication they also can cause dryness of mouth.. just go to visit near to ur dentist about ur sweeling cheecks..
How to get rid from Fordyce granules inside cheek any tablet or other solution
If they are not harmful (paining or burning or Red) there is no need to do anythig about it. There is no treatment for Fordyce granules, you can only treat them when they are infected.
No their is no pain no burn only its realise when I touch it inside with my toung Or touch it with my fingers otherwise their is no problem but I really want it to go away permanently inside cheek home treatment is difficult
Hello
Mu husband has gums sensation of burning while eating food. Doctor diagnosed it in leukoplekia and treating it and now asked for biopsy they are giving medicine and saying will do biopsy we are confused what to do.
Biopsy is the best method to determine the type of Leukoplakia and also the stage in which it is in. Once you get back the results of the biopsy, the treatment plan will be determined. Whether surgical intervention is necessary or just medicines will be sufficient.
I have these painless spots on my upper and border of lips should I be worried my dentist says there normal but idk
If they look like Fordyce granules as seen in the image in the post, there is noting to worry about.
I have these small bumps sort of on the inside of my lip close to the corner but not on the corner. They’re painless. When I rub saliva over the area it feels as if they are gone. What are they and what can I do for them?
It is best to get it checked by any dentist once to clear any doubts, as we cannot diagnose without seeing what exactly it might be.
can it appear only one cheek?
what are the difference between kopl’s spot and fordyes spot?
I guess you are referring to Koplik’s spots, which are seen in measles infection and they are usually accompanied with other symptoms of measles like exudate around, eyes, alae nasi and lips.
The white spots in Koplik’s spots are different from Fordyce granules in having a reddish background on the buccal mucosa in comparison to the normal pink mucosa surrounding the fordyce granules.
Yes, these can appear only on one cheek as well.
Hi. I am dignosed with HIV and I have found fordyce spots started floruishing inside my mouth. They are painless but i can sense them with tongue. They were all scattered until a month ago but now forming a small cluster of plaque like formation.
What should I do about this fordyce spots. I see one or two colony of them growing on my tonsils too.
Fordyce spots are normal manifestations in Oral cavity which do not need any intervention, but as you mentioned that you are HIV positive it is important to eliminate any other conditions associated with HIV like Herpes Simplex Virus or Candidiasis which also appear similar to Fordyce spots. Better get it checked with a Dentist or Medical practitioner mentioned your history.
Oral manifestations of HIV or AIDS: https://www.juniordentist.com/oral-manifestations-of-hiv-aids.html