Lymphangiomas are growths that can form in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a part of the immune system; it is a network of vessels that transports lymph, a fluid that contains white blood cells, around the body. Lymphangiomas can form anywhere in the lymphatic system, including inside the mouth. Here are four things parents need to know about oral lymphangiomas.

What are the signs of oral lymphangiomas?

If your child has an oral lymphangiomas, you may notice a lump on their oral soft tissues, including their gums, tongue, or the insides of their cheeks. This lump will be soft, and if you push on it, it will compress. The lump will have ill-defined borders. If you notice one of these lumps inside your child's mouth, take them to a dentist right away to have the lump evaluated.

What causes oral lymphangiomas?

Researchers still aren't completely sure why oral lymphangiomas develop. One theory is that the lymph channels become blocked in the womb, allowing abnormal growths to form. Another theory is that the lymphatic tissue is in the wrong location in the womb, which leads to lymphangiomas later. More research needs to be done to find out why some children are born with oral lymphangiomas.

Are oral lymphangiomas serious?

Oral lymphangiomas are benign lesions, meaning that they are not cancerous. However, this doesn't mean that they are always harmless. If the lesion gets large enough, it can make it hard for your child to eat or clean their teeth, and in severe cases, can even block their airway.

How do dentists treat them?

The main treatment for oral lymphangiomas is observation. Your child's dentist will keep a close eye on the growths to make sure they don't get any bigger or start causing distressing symptoms. Sometimes, the growths go away by themselves.

If the growths don't go away, or if they get worse, they can be surgically excised. During this procedure, your child's dentist or an oral surgeon will carefully cut away the growth with a scalpel. This can be done under general anesthesia, which means that your child's will sleep through the procedure.

The recurrence rate is reported to be between 20% and 40%, so the surgery may need to be repeated in the future if the growths come back. Your child's dentist will schedule follow-up appointments so that he or she can keep an eye on the surgical site and watch for recurrences.

If you think your child has oral lymphangiomas, take them to a dentist right away for an examination, or visit websites like http://www.pldduluth.com/ for more information.