Mouth Ulcer: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment, And Complications
Types of mouth ulcer
Minor mouth ulcer- they are small with diameter between 2 mm
and 6mm. they heal up within 10- 14 days.
Major mouth ulcer- they are deeper and larger than minor
ulcers. It can take several weeks to heal up. Sometimes, they leave scar in the
mouth.
Herpetiform ulcer- it is in form of clusters of many small
sores. It is very small like the pin head size.
What are the causes of mouth ulcer?
Mouth ulcers cannot be contacted from another person and
they are not caused by infection in most cases. Kissing someone or sharing
cutlery with mouth ulcer patient does not mean you will have mouth ulcer.
They are mainly caused by damage to the mouth. This damage
can be caused by mistakenly biting your cheeks while chewing. Also, wrong use
of toothbrush while brushing the teeth can result in the damage. There are
common mistakes people make while brushing their teeth and it’s a risk factor
to mouth ulcer.
Some people usually have their mouth ulcer returning after
it has healed. This is called recurrent mouth ulcer or Aphthous ulcer. The
actual cause of recurrent mouth ulcer is not known. Aphthous mouth ulcer is sometimes called
canker sores and it can be painful while chewing and brushing. It is can be
caused by excessive tooth brushing, anxiety, stress, and hormonal change.
Hormonal changes occur in women during their menstrual cycle.
Also eating hard or
sharp food like bones can cause recurrent mouth ulcer. Some foods have been
associated with increasing risk of mouth cancer and they include coffee, cheese,
strawberries, almonds, peanut, and chocolate.
Mouth ulcer can also be cause by burns when you eat hot
foods. People that loves drinking hot beverages tends to have mouth ulcer. Most
microwave foods are colder outside than inside thereby causing unexpected burn
in the mouth. Apart from thermal burnt caused by food, there is also electrical
burn caused by chewing live wire. Saliva present in the mouth is a good electrical
conducting medium. Electrical burn is commonly seen in children. The electrical
burn may seem painless at the first instance, but with days, swellings may develop
with bleeding.
You may develop mouth ulcer when you first stop smoking and
it can even be recurrent. It is a normal reaction to body chemical change after
quitting smoking but you are assured of greater health benefit for quitting
smoking. Your tendency of having lung cancer and heart diseases is lowered.
Some medications can cause reaction and have the reaction
presented in the form of mouth ulcer. Example of these includes pain killers,
nicorandil used in treating chest pain and Beta-blockers that treat various
heart diseases. Do not stop any medication because of mouth ulcer; speak to
your physician about the reaction.
The cause of the ulceration can also be as a result of local
trauma. This mechanical trauma can be caused by you rubbing the mucous part of
the mouth against a sharp tooth edge or on braces. Some dental accessories can also be
responsible for mouth ulcer, most dentist prevent this by rubbing petroleum gel
before they start their procedures. The mechanical trauma can also occur when
you are eating and you mistakenly bite yourself. Also, when you are eating
sharp food like potato chip, sugar cane, and bones, mouth ulcer can develop. Some people have seen biting inside of their
mouth as habit and they cause the ulcer by themselves. Other ways you cause
mouth ulcer by self include the use of toothpick or pen in the mouth and eating
your finger nails.
Mouth ulcer can also be caused by chemical means. When you
chew some drugs that are meant to be swallowed, it can cause mouth ulcer. For example
chewing of aspirin tablet can cause oral epithelial necrosis. Also, hydrogen peroxide,
silver nitrate and phenol can also cause mouth ulcer.
Some medical conditions are also associated with recurrent
mouth ulcer. I will discuss some of these medical conditions below:
Crohn’s disease- it is characterized by gut inflammation
that can lead to mouth and stomach ulcer
Coeliac disease- this is a condition whereby there is
intolerance to a protein called ‘gluten’. It is mostly found in wheat and
barley. It causes inflammation in the small intestine. Mouth ulcer is one of the sign of Coeliac
disease in adult.
Iron deficiency-iron deficiency can cause hypoxia in which
the red blood cells are not able to carry sufficient oxygen round the body
system. It can make you feel dizzy and tired. It can lead to mouth ulcer in
some cases.
Immunodeficiency- patients with suppressed immune system
commonly come down with mouth ulcer. HIV patient is an example.
Less commonly, pharyngitis (sore throat), chicken pox,
vitamin B deficiency, anemia, gastrointestinal diseases and herpes simplex
infection can cause mouth ulcer.
Symptoms of Mouth Ulcer
The appearance of mouth ulcer makes it easy to identify. You
will notice they have round shape with white, grey or yellow color. They have
inflammation around their edges. Mouth ulcer is mostly seen with tender
appearance inside the cheeks and lips, the mouth floor and the under surface of
the tongue. Mouth ulcer on the roof of the mouth is uncommon.
Also you might have difficulty in brushing your teeth and
chewing food. You might also loose appetite and get irritated whenever you eat
spicy or salty food.
How long does mouth ulcer last?
Normally, mouth ulcer gets healed between day 10 and day 18.
Diagnosis of Mouth Ulcer
In order to determine the cause of recurrent mouth ulcer,
some diagnosis can be made and they include blood test, skin biopsy and
physical examination. The duration, location, color and the number of ulcers
are examined under physical test. Mouth
ulcer has different physical appearance depending on the cause. If your mouth
ulcer is caused by trauma, it will appear yellow and large. In case your mouth
ulcer is accompanied with fever, it might be caused by herpes simplex
infection.
Prevention and Treatment of Mouth Ulcer
Mouth ulcer naturally heals and not requires a specific
treatment. I will discuss here some tips that will help your ulcer to heal
quickly and even prevent you from coming down with mouth ulcer:
Good hygiene will prevent you from having mouth ulcer and
reduce recurrence.
Eat soft foods like toast that are easy to chew. Avoid hard
and sharp food.
Use soft bristled tooth brush for brushing your teeth.
Floss regularly once daily
Minimize your stress level; involve yourself in meditation
and exercises to relax you.
Avoid eating food that increases your chance of having mouth
ulcer as I have listed above. If you get irritated from chewing gum, avoid
eating it. Reduce the intake of spicy or acidic food. They can cause irritation
to the mouth.
See your doctor in case it is your medication that is
causing it.
Use antimicrobial mouthwashes in order to kill
micro-organisms and bacteria.
Treatment of mouth ulcer at home
Since most mouth ulcers are less serious, there are needed
to take care of it home. Below are the common remedies for moth ulcer;
Honey
Honey as a strong natural antibacterial is good in treating
moth ulcers. It helps in retaining the moisture content of the mouth and prevents
it from drying off. Honey will also ensure fast growth of new mouth tissues. Rub
honey on the affected part. If you have turmeric, you can mix it with it and
apply.
Coriander seeds
Coriander seeds being an Ayurvedic remedy help in
inflammation reduction. Boil some coriander seeds in a cup of clean water. Remove
the seeds, allow the extracts to cool and use it to swish your mouth. Repeat this
procedure for about 3 times daily.
Apart from the fact that coriander seeds helps mouth ulcer,
it also helps in decreasing blood pressure and blood sugar. It also helps in
treating urinary tract infections. It is also good for the digestive
system. Coriander seeds also help in
improved cholesterol level of the body.
Baking soda
Baking soda is very good in treating mouth ulcer. It is also
called sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda neutralizes acid very well. When mouth
ulcer is caused by acidic food, baking soda helps in neutralizing the effects. It
also has a strong antibacterial effect. Form a paste of baking soda by adding
little water, apply it on the ulcer. Repeat this for about 4 times in a day.
Coconut milk and oil
Coconut oil and milk helps to alleviate pains associated
with mouth ulcer. You can mix the coconut milk with some honey and apply on the
affected part. Ensure you apply it up to 4 times in a day to ensure fast
healing.
Coconut oil is anti inflammatory oil. It also helps to
reduce the swellings. Use it to swish your mouth and do not swallow it. Spit it
out after swishing. It also has anti microbial properties. It is a saturated
fat that contains Capric Acid, Caproic Acid, Myristic Acid
and Caprylic Acid. Coconut oil
has other medicinal functions you can check here.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is well known for its multi medicinal value. It is
an anti-inflammatory plant. Extract aloe Vera juice and apply on the affected
part. The juice is good for stomach ulcer. It helps in the fast healing of the
affected linings. It also neutralizes acidic effect when ulcer is caused by
acidic foods. It also has antibacterial property that helps in killing germs
and bacteria. It also has anti-fungal and antiviral properties. Aloe Vera is
also god in treating constipation. It is also an anti-aging plant as it is good
for skin and hair; it is found in a lot of cosmetic products. Aloe Vera is also
very good in burns and wound healing.
Triphala
Triphala is also an Ayurvedic remedy. Triphala powder is a
mixture of amalaki, haritaki and bibhitaki fruits. This fruits are dried and
grounded into powder to make triphala powder. These fruits are of Indian origin. Mix the
triphala powder of half spoon in a clean cup of water. Swish your mouth with
this solution for about one minute. Do not swallow this as well; spit it out
after swishing it. Triphala powder provides a fast healing for your ulcer
especially if used regularly. Use this solution once daily. Triphala is
generally known detoxify the body. It also fights cancer and constipation. Triphala
contains a lot of vitamins.
Celery
Celery is effective in treating ulcerated mouth. It contains
a lot vitamins like folic acids vitamin B1, B6 and C. chew fresh celery stalk
to treat mouth ulcer. It has anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps to
relieve pain associated with mouth ulcer. Celery chewing does not only heal
mouth ulcer, it also helps in keeping good breath.
RECOMMENDED: Top 12 Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcer and Canker Sore
Complications of Mouth Ulcer
Mouth ulcer can result in tooth abscess, bacterial infection and cellulites (inflammation of the mouth)When to see your doctor
If your mouth ulcer does not heal in 3 weeks to a month, consult your doctor.
If your mouth ulcer gets more painful and swollen, see your
doctor. He or she will prescribe a painkiller suitable for your ulcer. He or she might also prescribe a corticosteroid
for you to reduce swellings and inflammations.
If you notice ulcer development in other part of your body,
see your doctor.
Also if you have a high fever accompanying the mouth ulcer,
consult your physician.
If your mouth ulcer is large or it is spreading, it is
advisable to consult your doctor.
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