Mouth ulcers are a common source of pain and discomfort in the mouth. The commonest type of mouth ulcers are Aphthous ulcers/Canker sores. These ulcers are not contagious and are mostly harmless. In some cases, they may recur frequently and constitute a nuisance to their bearers. They may be found on the tongue, inner surface of the lips, the palate and cheeks.
There are 3 types of aphthous ulcers based on presentation:
- Minor Aphthous (small oval shaped ulcers less than 5mm in diameter that usually heal in 1 to 2 weeks)
- Major Aphthous (Round and larger ulcers with well defined borders often more than 5mm in diameter that might take up to 6 weeks to heal) and
- Herpetiform ulcers (10 to 100 pinpoint ulcers that occur in clusters, usually would also heal in 1 to 2 weeks). It is important to note that these types of ulcers are not caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. They are named Herpetiform because of their similarity in appearance to herpes.
Causes
The exact cause is unclear however certain factors increase the risk of developing a mouth ulcer. These factors may include:
- Injuries in the mouth resulting from overzealous toothbrushing, ill fitting dentures
- Emotional/mental stress and lack of sleep
- Allergic reactions to certain foods such as chocolates, nuts, acidic foods, spicy foods
- Toothpastes and mouth rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Hormonal changes such as in menstruation, pregnancy, menopause
- Some medical conditions such as HIV/AIDs, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, Bechet’s disease
- Family history of recurrent mouth ulcers
Symptoms
These may include pain, a burning or tingling sensation while eating, swelling and discomfort around the region of the ulcer, single or multiple small to large oval shaped ulcers in the mouth.
What to do when you have a mouth ulcer
Mouth ulcers would usually resolve in 1-2 weeks without any treatment. However, to make feeding easier, a dentist may prescribe an antiseptic mouth rinse, warm water and salt gargle, topical anesthetics like Benzocaine, steroid ointments like hydrocortisone or oral antibiotics.
Ensure to stay hydrated and take plenty water, brush your teeth twice daily, avoid spicy/hot/acidic foods, feed adequately and rest well.
Large ulcers that fail to heal after 14 days should be assessed by a dentist. Having other symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, multiple ulcers in other parts of the body also necessitate a visit to the dentist as they may be pointers to more serious medical conditions.
Mouth ulcers can be painful and inconvenient however, applying appropriate measures can help improve discomfort through the healing period.
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