What is a Mouth Ulcer?
Mouth ulcers also referred to as canker sores, is the erosion or loss of the delicate lining tissue of the mucous membrane that is present the inside of your mouth. They can be really uncomfortable when you are eating, trying to talk, or while drinking.
Who are at High Risk for Developing Mouth Ulcers?
People with a family history of mouth ulcers, adolescents, and women are at higher risk of developing mouth ulcers. Mouth ulcers are not contagious and reduce within one to two weeks. However, if you get a canker sore that is:
- Large in shape.
- Extremely painful.
- Lasts for a long time without healing.
Then, you are advised to consult your dentist immediately.
What are the Common Reasons Behind Mouth Ulcers?
There are no definite reasons behind the causes of mouth ulcers, but yes, certain factors and triggers have been identified. Such as:
- Hard brushing, accidental bite, sports injury, or minor mouth injury that is resulted due to dental work.
- If your toothpaste or mouth rinse contains sodium lauryl sulfate.
- Dental braces.
- Hormonal changes occurred during menstruation.
- Food sensitivity towards certain acidic foods like citrus, strawberries, pineapples, and other foods like coffee and chocolate.
- Any allergic response to mouth bacteria.
- Lack of B-12, Folate, Iron, Zinc, or other essential vitamins.
- Lack of sleep or any emotional stress.
- Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections.
Canker sores can be considered serious and require medical treatment, such as:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Behcet’s disease
- HIV/AIDs
Symptoms Associated with Mouth Ulcers
There are 3 types of canker sores:
- Minor – Minor mouth ulcers are small or round in shape that heals within 1-2 weeks without any scarring.
- Major – Major mouth ulcers are larger in shape and deeper when compared to the minor ones. They have irregular edges and take around 6 weeks to heal. When compared to minor ulcers, these types of ulcers can result in long-term scarring.
- Herpetiform – These types of ulcers usually occur in clusters of 10 to 100 and are pinpoint in size. Herpetiform ulcers usually affect the adults and heal within 2-3 weeks without scarring.
Remember to consult a doctor, when you develop any of the following symptoms:
- Having painless canker sores.
- An unusual occurrence of large mouth ulcers.
- Canker sores that are persisting for more than 2-3 weeks.
- Canker sores extend to the lips.
- Pain that cannot be controlled with natural medication or over-the-counter (OTC) medication.
- Facing severe problems while drinking or eating.
- Getting fever or diarrhoea whenever the canker sores are appearing.
How Can Mouth Ulcers be Diagnosed?
Mouth ulcers can be diagnosed through a visual exam. So, if you are facing any severe or frequent mouth ulcers, then your healthcare provider will suggest other tests to help diagnose other medical conditions if any.
Some Ways to Treat Mouth Ulcers
Most mouth ulcers don’t need any treatment and can be relieved within 1-2 weeks. But, if you are getting mouth ulcers very often, or if they are extremely painful, then several treatments can decrease and heal the pain. These include:
- Solution of saltwater and baking soda can be used for rinsing your mouth.
- Placing milk of magnesia solution on the area of a canker sore.
- Applying ice on the canker sore area.
- Placing damp green tea bags on your mouth ulcer.
- By taking nutritional supplements like Zinc, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and Folic acid.
- Try any natural remedies like licorice root, chamomile tea, myrrh, and echinacea.
- Try Smyle Ayurvedic Mouth Ulcer Gel to help prevent your mouth ulcers efficiently and naturally. For more information about this product, you can go through the link below:
https://www.smyle.co.in/product/smyle-ayurvedic-mouth-ulcer-gel/
Some Tips to Follow to Help Prevent Mouth Ulcers
By taking certain precautions, you can help reduce the occurrence of mouth ulcers, such as:
- Staying away from foods that can irritate your mouth like pineapple, grapefruit, lemon, oranges, nuts, chips, or anything spicy. Instead try including non-acidic foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables which helps you to maintain a well-balanced diet and take a daily multivitamin.
- Eating slowly and chewing your food completely can help reduce accidental bites. Maintaining good oral hygiene by reducing stress, flossing daily, and brushing your teeth after meals. Also, it is very essential to get adequate sleep and rest as this will not only prevent mouth ulcers but also help in reducing a lot of other illnesses as well.
- Avoid toothbrushes and mouthwashes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Your healthcare provider will provide you with wax to cover dental or other orthodontic mouth devices that have sharp edges.