Do they usually hurt?
Typical Fordyce spots cause no symptoms.
← All explanationsFordyce spots
What are Fordyce spots in the mouth?
Fordyce spots are visible sebaceous glands in areas without associated hair follicles, such as the lips or inner cheeks. They may look like small pale or yellowish dots and are a normal variation. A teaching image cannot establish whether a particular spot is one of them.
For training & practice ↓
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Small dots on lips or cheeks
Typical spots are small, slightly raised and pale. They may occur alone or in groups. This example explains their location, not the diagnosis of a personal concern.
A gland without a hair follicle
The simplified close-up shows a sebaceous gland without an associated hair. It is not a salivary gland. The name describes a tissue type, not an infection.
Do not squeeze
Confirmed Fordyce spots usually need no treatment. Squeezing or picking can irritate tissue. Uncertain or changing areas should be assessed professionally.
Read the full explanation
Small dots on lips or cheeks
Typical spots are small, slightly raised and pale. They may occur alone or in groups. This example explains their location, not the diagnosis of a personal concern.
A gland without a hair follicle
The simplified close-up shows a sebaceous gland without an associated hair. It is not a salivary gland. The name describes a tissue type, not an infection.
Do not squeeze
Confirmed Fordyce spots usually need no treatment. Squeezing or picking can irritate tissue. Uncertain or changing areas should be assessed professionally.
Notes on the teaching images
- Fictional teaching image · not a mucosal diagnosis
- Schematic tissue section · sizes illustrative
- Guidance for assessment · not self-treatment
At a glance
Are they cancer?
Confirmed Fordyce spots are benign.
What helps if I am unsure?
An examination rather than self-diagnosis by image comparison.
Knowledge in motion
Explained in 36 seconds.
Three steps. No audio.
Each scene can also be selected manually.
Silent educational film with German on-screen text and simplified teaching images. Not a patient case or a promised treatment outcome. The full English explanation is available as text.
Often confused
Sebaceous and salivary glands differ
Fordyce spots are not blocked saliva. A mucocele belongs to a different group of findings.
Quick answers
Are Fordyce spots contagious?
No. Confirmed Fordyce spots are not contagious. This cannot be assumed for every pale dot or blister on the lips.
Are they pimples?
The visible dots are sebaceous glands, not something to squeeze. A dental or dermatological examination can establish what an uncertain finding is.
Do they need removal?
A confirmed, unremarkable finding normally needs no treatment. When uncertain, an examination is more useful than trying home remedies.
At the practice
For the appointment
You can bring this question to your appointment:
Does this look like a normal variation, or is further assessment needed?
An uncertain change on the lips or oral lining can be assessed at an appointment.
Arrange an oral examinationAppointment selection at DoctolibLearning layer for training & practiceUnderstand terminology and deepen knowledge
- Sebaceous gland
- A gland producing an oily secretion.
- Ectopic
- Located somewhere unusual for that tissue.
- Papule
- A small, localised raised area.
Make the distinction
Tissue type and visible appearance are different concepts. Similar appearances do not establish the same diagnosis.
Sources and context
Editorial research: . General information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Teaching illustrations are simplified and do not depict a patient case.