Mouth Ulcers: Symptoms, Causes, Types,Treatment & Prevention

 

Small sores that develop on your gums, lips, tongue, inner cheeks, or roof of your mouth are known as mouth ulcers. They can be brought on by a variety of factors, such as small injuries, hormonal changes, and emotional stress. Many mouth ulcers heal on their own. Others might require treatment.

What is a mouth ulcer?

Any sore that develops inside your mouth is called a mouth ulcer. You may have one or more of these sores, which usually appear red, yellow, or white.

Mouth ulcers can develop on your:

• Gums

• Tongue

• Palate, or roof of the mouth

• Inner cheeks

• Inner lips

• Eating, drinking, and speaking might be difficult due to these sores, which are frequently uncomfortable.

Mouth ulcers can be alarming. They cannot, however, be contracted or transmitted through kissing or sharing food or beverages, and they are not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Mouth ulcers are normally harmless and disappear on their own in a week or two, aside from any pain and discomfort. However, certain kinds of mouth sores may indicate underlying health issues such as autoimmune diseases, infections, or gastrointestinal  issues.

Mouth ulcer types:

Mouth sores and lesions come in a variety of forms, such as:

• Aphthous ulcers, or canker sores. These are the most common type of mouth ulcer. Healthcare professionals are unsure of the specific cause of these conditions or why some people are more susceptible than others. Acidic meals, stress, and minor trauma (such as biting your cheek) are among the causes. Typically, canker sores are yellow or white with red borders.

• Lichen planus in the mouth. Itchy rashes and white, lacelike oral sores may result from this condition. Females 50 years of age or older are most frequently affected by oral lichen planus, an immune system response.

• Leukoplakia. White or gray spots appear inside your mouth as a result of this condition. Excessive cell growth is the reason of its development. It can be brought on by persistent irritation from things like chewing tobacco or smoking. However, it occasionally occurs for no apparent reason. Leukoplakia lesions are typically not malignant.

• Erythroplakia. Another sign of chewing or smoking tobacco is erythroplakia. Erythroplakia patients frequently exhibit red spots under their tongues or below their lower front teeth. Erythroplakia patches are typically precancerous or malignant, in contrast to leukoplakia lesions.

• Oral thrush. This oral fungal infection is brought on by an overabundance of Candida albicans yeast. It frequently occurs following antibiotic treatment or when your immune system isn't functioning at its best. Mouth sores and patches that are red and creamy white are caused by oral thrush.

• Mouth cancer. Oral cancer lesions might show up as red or white mouth sores or ulcers. These lesions won’t cure on their own. If you have a mouth ulcer that hasn’t gone away after three weeks, tell your healthcare provider.

Also Read: Gastritis: Symptoms, Causes, Risk factors, Treatment & Prevention

What symptoms indicate a mouth ulcer?

In most cases, mouth ulcers are simple to identify. They manifest as sores on the roof of your mouth, gums, tongue, inner cheeks, or inner lips.

Usually, mouth sores are:

• The edges are red

• The center can be gray, yellow, or white

You could get more than one ulcer or just one. Other signs and symptoms could be:

• Swelling that surrounds the ulcers

• More pain when you wash your teeth

• Pain that gets worse after consuming meals that are sour, salty, or spicy

What is the cause of mouth ulcers?

There are several causes of mouth ulcers, such as:

• Minor tissue injury after dental procedures, such as filling a cavity

• Biting your tongue or cheek by accident

• An allergic response to certain germs

• Putting on retainers or braces

• Consuming a lot of acidic foods, like strawberries, oranges, and pineapples

• Changes in hormones during your period

• Tension

• Lack of sleep

• Biting the inside of your cheek by accident

• Toothbrush-related injuries (like slipping while brushing)

• Continual rubbing against teeth that are broken, sharp, or misaligned

• Constant rubbing against dentures or braces

• Burns from eating hot food

• Irritation from strong antiseptics, such as a mouthwash

• Aphthous ulcers

• Viral infections such as the herpes simplex viral infection (cold sore virus)

• Reaction to certain medications

• Autoimmune diseases

• Autoimmune-related inflammatory condition (such as lichen planus)

• Underlying Vitamin B2, folate or iron deficiencies

• Underlying gastrointestinal disease such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease

• Mouth cancer

Diagnosis:

How are mouth ulcers diagnosed by medical professionals?
A visual inspection can be used by a medical professional to diagnose a mouth ulcer. They might recommend blood testing if you have a serious breakout or if they suspect a particular medical condition.

How is a mouth ulcer treated?

Although the majority of mouth sores heal on their own, your doctor could recommend medication to reduce discomfort. Typical treatments for mouth ulcers include:

• Mouthwashes or antiseptic gels such as Anbesol® or OrajelTM

• Triamcinolone-based steroid ointments

• Immunosuppressive medications (in extreme situations)

How to quickly and naturally treat mouth ulcers

You can also treat the symptoms of a mouth sore at home by doing the following:

• Drink a lot of water.

• To keep your mouth as clean as possible, practice good dental hygiene.

• Rinse your mouth twice a day with a solution of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water.

• Until the ulcer heals, stay away from hot and spicy foods.

• Use a topical anesthetic that is available over-the-counter (OTC), such as Anbesol® or OrajelTM.

• Treat the ulcers with antiseptic gel.

• Use warm, mildly salted water to rinse your mouth, leaving it there for up to four minutes at a time. Four times a day, repeat.

• Use a topical steroid mouthwash or ointment that is alcohol-free; your dentist or oral medicine specialist will typically recommend this.

• Your oral health provider or the relevant medical specialist may prescribe immunosuppressive medication if necessary in extreme circumstances.

Prevention:

Can I prevent mouth ulcers?

Although mouth ulcers cannot be completely prevented, there are steps you may take to lower your risk:

• For the best oral health, brush your teeth twice a day and floss once.

• To prevent tissue irritation, use a toothbrush with soft bristles.

• Eat a nutritious diet rich in fresh produce.

• See your dentist  regularly for cleanings and examinations.

• Treating your condition can lower the chance that ulcers will recur if your doctor believes you have an underlying medical condition that causes sores. Discuss health management strategies with your healthcare practitioner.

References:

• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (U.S.). Fever Blisters & Canker Sores (https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/fever-blisters-canker-sores). Accessed 6/6/2023.

• National Library of Medicine (U.S.). Mouth Sores (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003059.htm). Accessed 6/6/2023.

• Aphthous ulcer, 2016, DermNet NZ.

• Plewa MC, Chatterjee K. Aphthous Stomatitis (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431059/). 2022 Aug 7. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Accessed 6/6/2023.

• National Library of Medicine (U.S.). Mouth ulcers (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001448.htm). Accessed 6/6/2023.