I think every one of us have a mouth ulcer at one time or other either through cracked lips from cold weather or more frequently from biting the tongue or scraping the tooth against the lining of the cheek.
Mouth ulcers (A Simple Guide to Mouth Ulcers)are painful open sores or lesions in the mouth.
They may appear red or yellow in color.
Mouth ulcers occur either singly or in clusters, causing a lot of discomfort or pain. They usually heal within 7 to 10 days.
There are many many disorders which can cause mouth ulcers:
1. canker sore (aphthous ulcer),
2.leukoplakia, (a disease with depigmentated skin)
3.gingivostomatitis,( A Simple Guide to Gingivitis), (A Simple Guide to Stomatitis)
4.oral cancer,
5.oral lichen planus (A Simple Guide to Lichen Planus)
6.oral thrush.
Oral thrush is very common in babies. It appear as a white patch on the lining of the cheek. The way to tell an oral thrush lesion from a milk curd is to wipe it with a cotton bud. The milk curd will wipe off but not the oral thrush. Treatment is usually with antifungal lotion.
7.Hand mouth and foot disease(A Simple Guide to Hand Mouth Foot Disease)
Hand mouth and foot disease in children will present with multiple mouth ulcers. It can be very painful for the child who will usually lose appetite.
The most common mouth ulcer is Aphthous ulcer.
It is an open sore in the mouth, which appears as a painful white or yellow ulcer surrounded by a bright red area.
Mouth ulcers may occur at any age, but usually first appear between the ages of 10 and 40.
Women are more prone than men.
The cause is unknown.
There may be an inherited tendency or an immune system link.
Mouth injury such as dental procedures or aggressive tooth cleaning my cause mouth ulcers.
They may occur at the site of a bite when the tongue or cheek is bitten.
They can also triggered by stress, dietary deficiencies (especially iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12), menstrual periods, hormonal changes, food allergies, and similar situations.
There are different types of mouth ulcers.
1.A single mouth ulcer is usually caused by damage to the mouth, like biting the cheek, or damage to the gum with a toothbrush or a sharp tooth or filling.
They usually go away once the source of the problem is treated.
2.A recurrent ulcer is one that comes and goes, sometimes every few weeks.
Minor ulcers are the most common.
They usually appear inside the cheeks, on the lips, tongue, and gum.
Most of these ulcers are small, round and can sometimes come in clusters(four to six) at any one time.
Large ulcers are more severe, have an irregular border, and can last for 5-10 weeks.
They usually appear near the tonsils and can be very painful, especially when swallowing.
You usually only get one at a time.
Very rarely,some patients have up to 100 very small painful ulcers (herpetiform type), which last for one to two weeks.
Ulcers are very common. About 20% of the population have recurrent mouth ulcers at some time in their lives.
Often they begin in childhood or adolescence.
Most people grow out of them by their late twenties.
Mouth ulcers usually appear on the inner surface of the cheeks and lips, tongue, soft palate, and the base of the gums.
They may begin with a tingling or burning sensation, followed by a red spot or bump that ulcerates.
Pain spontaneously decreases in 7 to 10 days, with complete healing in 1 to 3 weeks.
Occasionally, a severe occurrence may be accompanied by fever or lethargy.
Recurrence is common and may continue for years.
Most mouth ulcers are not infectious.
Treatment of Mouth Ulcers
The exact treatment will depend on the cause of the ulcer. Sometimes all that is required is to remove the cause of the ulcer, such as a sharp tooth.
The following measures may help to reduce pain from mouth ulcers:
keep your mouth clean at all times,
avoid foods that are spicy, acidic, salty or particularly hot or cold, which can make the symptoms worse,
eat a healthy diet that includes fresh fruit and vegetables,
gargle with warm salt water,
use a diluted chlorhexidine mouthwash once a day to help reduce the length of time the ulcers last.
sprays and rinses are also available for pain relief.
Medical treatment:
The main treatment of the mouth ulcer is application of topical corticosteroids (Kenalog in orabase or Oracort E), or other soothing preparations.
Dry the area first with a cotton wool bud and then use a wet finger or the back of a spoon to put the cream on the sore area. You can use it up to four times a day after meals. However, it is most effective to use this cream late at night as it stays there for longer.
Preventing mouth ulcers
Good oral hygiene may help in the prevention of some types of mouth ulcers or complications from mouth ulcers.
This includes brushing the teeth with a soft toothbrush at least twice per day, flossing at least daily, and going for regular dental checkup and cleaning.
Try to avoid getting run down by making sure you eat a balanced diet, take regular exercise and learn to manage stress.
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