Warts are small, usually painless growths on the skin. Warts may be raised or flat, dry or moist and usually have a rough surface. Warts can sometimes be painful and very irritating when disturbed. Oral warts are those that appear within the oral cavity, lips or in the mouth and throat.

Oral warts are caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This type of warts is more common in people with HIV or people with weakened immune system. They are embarrassing and can be highly discomforting if they interfere while eating. They are also painful when irritated by foods or because of accidental biting. Although most warts are non-cancerous in nature, oral warts may lead to mouth cancer. Warts sometimes disappear on its own, though it takes several months or years and there is no guarantee in it. It is therefore highly advisable to consult a doctor if one finds themselves with oral warts.

Various types of treatments are available to remove oral warts. Some common ways of removing oral wart are keratolysis, electro-cauterization, cryotherapy or freeze-thaw-freeze, and laser treatment. Keratolysis or topical treatment is not advisable for oral wart since it is difficult to apply topical medicines inside the mouth or put tapes, etc. electro-cauterization is a common technique which involves burning the wart with electric probe and scrapping the warts off. Cryotherapy involves freezing the warts with liquid nitrogen. Laser treatments are done using carbon dioxide lasers or pulse dye lasers. Laser treatments are painful compared to other treatments. Most of the surgical treatment takes around 3-4 sitting to completely remove the warts.

Oral warts should not be taken lightly as it may lead to mouth cancer as indicated above. Oral warts can be very easily transmitted. It is also very important that one should take care and protect ourselves and others from this type of warts. Avoid oral sex, kissing or sharing things like handkerchiefs or spoons with infected people.