Question: Briefly - For the last 5 months I've had a stiff "muzzle" (lips,cheeks, upper lip and mouth) with swollen red lips. After that started, a dentist ground two molars down to the nerve before filling the teeth - probably not related to the stiffness. Also the inside of the mouth has become very sensitive and sometimes starts a sore place which always seem to clear up within a day.

Non trauma, skin disease or drugs.

The first symptom 5 months ago was stiff lips, lower cheeks - the whole muzzle area. So stiff that when I yawned the corners of my lips split. Because of dental visits, I haven't been able to heal them. My primary physician ignored it until a mon ago when she thought it might be Losartan (taking it about 9 years now. So she said to stop it and also leave off the Turmeric. No change from that. I'm also drinking lots of water - she says I'm dehydrated.

My friends don't notice because it subsides to fairly normal usually a few hours after I wake. Also I doubt that they really look at me - don't tell them.

I don't have a XXXXXXX device that takes pictures, etc. Sorry.IF I had your email address, I could send a picture taken last month, although it's hard to see a change with no comparison.

My basic question is what can make the whole mouth area get so stiff? The first time I was aware of it, I yawned and the corners of my mouth split! The flesh is so taut, it couldn't stretch. I can't get them to heal. The inside of the mouth is so sensitive, I had to quit using Arm & Hammer or Sensodyne. They both stung. Colgate original flavor is pretty mild. Quit lipstick because the lips are so dry and stiff that they crack if I don't keep them (and the extended corners) moistened. Also, the lips are much redder that normal.

The only drug I still take is Levothyroxin.

As for mouth ulcers - I doubt it because the only sore spots were created by an outside force - biting cheek or dentist placing a plate (to make a cast) with a rough spot on it's edge. Those would normally heal fast but now they take days. Yesterday I ate some Tunafish and the mouth stiffness & swelling came on full force. Perhaps unrelated. Later that day, first time ever, I felt electricity running around my teeth, also slight sore throat. Took zinc, Vitamin C etc. and finally gargled with colloidal silver -also an unusual procedure for me.

Please give it some more thought. This can't be an only set of symptoms. Thank you very much!!

Sorry to be so slow. I think your first answer was right on - on checking symptoms of Mouth Ulcer (or Oral Mucositis.) So my question is what kind of oral rinse should I use? Thank you . XXXXXXX

Thank you for your patience and good answers. I just want to explain the seeming lack of radiation in my background. Between 1960 and 1990 I had lots of dental pain and went to over a hundred dentists. Of course, each one make X-rays. It hadn't bothered me until this year when I went to 3 dentists who also took -rays. One in February, one in May (onset of mouth stiffness) and the last in July.

I'll take your recommendation to my doctor and get the prescription. Thanks again. XXXXXXX