Mouth ulcers, also called canker sores, are painful abrasions that occur in the mouth and gums. While generally innocuous, mouth ulcers can be highly painful, making it difficult to eat, drink, and brush one’s teeth. Canker sores range in size, and the precise signs of them will rely on what type of ulcer a person has. Women, adults, and people with a family history of canker sores are more vulnerable to developing them.
Mouth ulcers aren’t infectious and typically go away within one to two weeks. Nevertheless, if you get a mouth ulcer that is large or doesn’t heal easily, you ought to seek the advice of a doctor.
What causes mouth ulcers?
What exactly triggers mouth ulcers is not known, but they are generally caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections or dental braces. Other reasons include being sensitive to acidic foods like strawberries, citrus, as well as chocolate and coffee.
Canker sores also can be symptomatic of conditions that are more grave and require medical treatment, such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes mellitus, or HIV/AIDS.
How are mouth ulcers detected?
Your doctor will be able to identify canker sores through a visual assessment. S/he may also suggest other tests if you are having sores that are large enough, frequent, or don’t heal easily.
How are mouth ulcers treated?
Most canker sores don’t need treatment, but if you do get them frequently or they’re really aching, several treatments can reduce pain and therapeutic time.
Is it mouth cancer?
A mouth ulcer that persists for a few weeks can be a sign of mouth cancer. Risk factors for mouth cancer include smoking or using products that contain tobacco; drinking alcohol; or infection. It’s vital to spot mouth cancer as early as possible. If mouth cancer is diagnosed early, the odds of a complete recovery are good. Regular dental check-ups are the best way to catch the early signs.
How to prevent mouth ulcers?
Reducing the incidence of mouth ulcers is easy. Shunning foods — pineapple, grapefruit, oranges, or lemon, as well as nuts, chips, or anything spicy — that could worsen your mouth can greatly help. You should instead choose whole grains and alkaline fruits and vegetables, and eat a healthy, balanced diet and take a daily multivitamin. Also, try not to talk while you’re chewing your food to decrease inadvertent bites. Plummeting stress and maintaining good oral hygiene by using dental floss daily and brushing after meals also may help. Lastly, get suitable sleep and rest. This will not only prevent mouth ulcers, but a slew of other ailments as well. Some people find shunning soft hair toothbrushes and mouthwashes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate is also helpful. Washing your mouth with salt water is an effective home remedy for mouth ulcers of any kind.