Why mouth ulcers appear and what to do with them

What are the ulcers

Doctors distinguish several types of Canker sore / Mayo Clinic. The most common are small, oval with a red edge. They heal in 1–2 weeks and do not leave scars.

Large ulcers sometimes appear. Deeper, round, with clear boundaries. These wounds are very painful, disappear within six weeks. After that, scars may remain.

Herpetiform ulcers are very rare in old age. They form small clusters of many identical small wounds, the size of a pinhead. These ulcers can merge with each other. Nevertheless, they heal without a trace in 1-2 weeks.

Why do mouth ulcers appear

The exact reasons are unknown. But doctors believe that various factors, including diseases, provoke ulcers. Here are the most likely triggers from Canker sore / Mayo Clinic:

Mucosal injury. For example, when brushing your teeth, dental procedures, playing sports, or while eating.
Toothpastes or mouth rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
Certain food items. Chocolate, coffee, strawberries, eggs, nuts, sour and spicy foods can irritate the oral mucosa.
Deficiency of vitamin B12, folate, or iron.
An allergic reaction to certain bacteria in the mouth.
Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that causes chronic inflammation and ulceration.
Hormonal changes in women during the menstrual cycle.
Emotional stress.
Bowel pathology. For example, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis.
Behcet's disease. This is a rare condition with inflammation throughout the body.
Autoimmune diseases in which the body attacks healthy tissue.
HIV or AIDS. They suppress the immune system.

When exactly you need to see a doctor

Most ulcers go away on their own at the Canker sore / Mayo Clinic in 1–2 weeks. See a specialist if you have sharp edges of your teeth or if you wear dental appliances that injure your mucous membranes. Also, the help of a dentist or therapist is needed in the following cases:

Ulcers are unusually large.
New wounds appear earlier than the previous ones healed.
The ulcers do not go away for more than two weeks.
The defeat reaches the border of the lips.
Intense pain for which medications do not help.
Difficulty eating or drinking.
The body temperature rises.
The wounds are bleeding Mouth ulcers / NHS.
Ulcers are located deep in the throat.

How are mouth ulcers treated?

To speed up the healing process for Mouth ulcers / NHS, doctors advise drinking through a straw, not eating solid foods, using a soft bristled toothbrush, and eating a balanced diet. It is also not recommended to consume sour or hot drinks, spicy or salty foods. You should also give up chewing gum and change your toothpaste.

If the ulcers do not heal within 1–2 weeks, see your doctor. He will prescribe treatment.

Mouthwash

The specialist will prescribe a Canker sore / Mayo Clinic solution that contains a steroid hormone to reduce pain and inflammation. In some cases, the mouth is rinsed with anesthetic medicine.

Nutritional supplements

If the doctor believes that the wounds appear due to a deficiency of vitamins or certain trace elements, then Canker sore / Mayo Clinic will prescribe supplements of B6 and B12, folic acid or zinc.

Medicines

Canker sore / Mayo Clinic may use over-the-counter gels, pastes, ointments or solutions to reduce pain and speed up healing. In some cases, the underlying cause of mouth ulcers is treated. For example, Helicobacter pylori is removed from the body or hormones are used to affect the immune system.

Moxibustion

To get rid of the ulcer, you can cauterize it with Canker sore / Mayo Clinic. This is done using special tools or chemicals. But they are not always effective, although they reduce wound healing to one week.

How to prevent mouth ulcers

For prevention, you need to follow the simple tips from Canker sore / Mayo Clinic:

Eat a balanced diet. To avoid nutrient deficiencies, eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Try to reduce the amount of salty, spicy, and acidic foods in your diet. Such food irritates the mucous membrane of the mouth.
Observe good hygiene practices. To do this, regularly brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush after meals, use dental floss at least once a day.
Avoid pastes and rinses containing sodium lauryl sulfate.
Take care of your mouth. If you wear braces or other dental devices, make sure they don't injure your mucous membranes.
Control your stress. Ulcers can appear after strong experiences, so you need to learn how to calm down and not worry about trifles. Maybe you should do some meditation or breathing practice.