Mouth ulcers, including canker sores, are small, painful lesions that appear inside the mouth or at the base of the gums.
While the exact causes are not well-defined, certain injuries, allergies, or sensitivities may trigger their development.
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These sores can make eating, drinking, and speaking uncomfortable.
Types of Mouth Ulcers
Common types of mouth ulcers include canker sores and those associated with hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Generally, they are not contagious and tend to heal on their own within 1 to 2 weeks.
However, if an ulcer is large, extremely painful, or persists longer than expected, consulting a doctor or dentist is advisable.
Causes of Mouth Ulcers
Though the precise cause of mouth ulcers is unclear, several risk factors and triggers have been identified:
– **Demographics**: Higher risk in people assigned female at birth, children, adolescents, and those with a family history of ulcers.
– **Physical Triggers**: Minor injuries from dental work, hard brushing, sports injuries, accidental bites, and dental braces.
– **Chemical Sensitivities**: Toothpaste or mouthwash containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and allergic reactions to oral bacteria.
– **Infections**: Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, including hand, foot, and mouth disease.
– **Dietary Factors**: Sensitivity to acidic foods (e.g., citrus fruits, chocolate) and deficiencies in vitamins (B9, B12), zinc, or iron.
– **Hormonal Changes**: Fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy.
– **Lifestyle Factors**: Emotional stress and lack of sleep.
Mouth ulcers can also indicate more serious conditions, such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diabetes, HIV, and certain autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus, oral lichen planus, Behçet’s disease).
Symptoms
Mouth ulcer symptoms typically include:
– Painful sores that may appear yellow, white, or red.
– Lesions inside the mouth, such as on the tongue or inner cheeks.
– Surrounding redness and pain that intensifies with eating, drinking, or speaking.
Multiple ulcers may occur simultaneously. They are generally not contagious unless caused by an infection.
Treatment
Most mouth ulcers do not require treatment. However, for frequent or severe cases, various remedies can help alleviate pain and speed healing:
– **Home Remedies**: Applying baking soda paste, milk of magnesia, or ice to the ulcer; using saltwater or baking soda mouth rinses; placing damp tea bags on the sores.
– **Topical Treatments**: Over-the-counter products containing benzocaine, as well as prescribed steroid mouth rinses.
– **Nutritional Supplements**: For deficiencies in B vitamins, zinc, and iron.
– **Natural Remedies**: Echinacea, myrrh, and licorice root in various forms.
Prevention
To help prevent mouth ulcers:
– Avoid irritating foods, opting for non-acidic fruits and a well-balanced diet; consider a daily multivitamin.
– Chew food carefully to prevent accidental bites.
– Manage stress and maintain good oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing.
– Use soft-bristled toothbrushes and avoid products with SLS or alcohol.
– Consult your dentist about protective wax for sharp dental devices.
– Ensure adequate sleep to support overall health.
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