Mouth Ulcers – Know about symptoms, types and prevention

What is Mouth Ulcer?

Tiny white or yellow colour mouth ulcers can be extremely annoying. They can give a jitter of sharp shooting pain while you are eating something, especially salty or spicy food. You may face trouble in speaking or talking too.

Irrespective of age group, mouth ulcers can affect a small child to an elderly person. Mouth ulcers usually occur on the inner surface of the cheeks and lips, sides or underneath tongue, roof of the mouth and sometimes at the base of the gums.

In some cases a mouth ulcer may be precipitated or indicate underlying disease or disorder.

3 Types of Recurrent Mouth Ulcers

1. Canker sore or apthous ulcer / minor

   The most common type of mouth ulcer is canker sore. Medical term for canker sore is called recurrent aphthous stomati. They are not contagious and are found inside the mouth on cheeks, gums or lips. Canker sore do not involve the roof of mouth.
   
   Canker sores may recur at intervals of a few days or up to 2–3 months. The peak age of recurrent apthous minor onset is during childhood, with a tendency to decrease in severity and frequency with age.
   
   Minor canker sores heal completely in one to three weeks, but major canker sores can take up to six weeks to heal.

2. Cold sore or fever blister

   Fever blister or cold sore caused by Herpes simplex virus Type 1. Blisters or sores on the lips and around the outside of the mouth are usually cold sores. They are contagious.
   
   Cold sore occurs in the individual with dormant or latent herpes simplex virus, which gets reactivated  in the case of acute stress or trauma.

3. Mouth Ulcers due to Systemic Involvement
   

   Mouth ulcers can also occur due to some diseases, disorders and conditions that can be serious, even life-threatening. These include oral cancer and leukoplakia.

15 Reasons we have mouth ulcers frequently

Following are few of the reasons we have mouth ulcers:

1. Most common cause is stress or tissue injury(aggressive tooth brushing or ill fitting denture, braces, rough dental fillings or sharp edges on teeth, sudden bite or chewing the inside of the cheek)
2. Consumption of very hot solid food items or drinks
3. Allergy or adverse reactions of food (e.g., caffeine, tangy cheese, chocolate, coffee, peanuts, almonds, strawberries, cheese and tomatoes, chocolate acidic, spicy or salty food) drinks or oral health care products(toothpastes and mouth rinses) and certain medicines. Irritation by a few chemicals, tobacco and alcohol.
4. Xerostomia or dry mouth (which may be due to medicines or medical conditions)
5. Some nutritional deficiencies (e.g., low iron, folic acid, zinc, B-group vitamins), or diseases like Anemia
6. Poor diet and digestive problems like constipation
7. Hormonal imbalances, particularly during puberty in girls and menstruation
8. Cessation of smoking
9. Systemic causes of mouth ulcers
10. Blood disease: Anaemia, Leukaemias, myelodysplastic syndromes, Neutropenias
11. Skin diseases: Lichen planus, Pemphigus,  Pemphigoid,   Erythema multiforme, Dermatitis herpetiformis
12. Infections: Viral- HSV, VZV, EBV, CMV, HIV, Coxsackie viruses
13. Bacterial- Mycobacteria, Treponema pallidum
14. Gastrointestinal diseases: Coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis
15. Malignancy

Sign and Symptoms of Mouth Ulcers

You may feel tingling or burning sensation the inside of Lips or cheek 1 to 2 days prior to appearance of an ulcer.

9 Tips to Prevent Mouth Ulcers

1. Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice daily, flossing and rinsing your mouth after every meals
2. Avoid too much spicy or acidic foodstuffs or any food you are allergic.
3. Use soft toothbrushes, chew slowly to avoid undue trauma
4. Try a sodium lauryl sulfate-free toothpaste, most notorious ingredient to cause mouth irritations.
5. Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water a day.
6. Have good sleep for 7 hours in the night.
7. Take less stress, do meditation and yoga.
8. Have regular check-ups with dentist, dentist may point out problem such as sharp teeth or fillings, that could damage your mouth.
9. Eat healthy, balanced diet rich in vitamin

Frequently Asked Questions on Dental Health

1. Oral Cancer- Early Signs and Risk Factors
2. Midline Diastema – Causes and Treatment Options
3. 5 Dental Treatments to Enhance Your Smile
4. Importance of Dental Visit for Infants
5. Dental Tourism in India – Advantages and Disadvantage
6. Can Eating Disorders effect Dental Health?
7. How to Reverse Tooth Decay and Dental Caries with Diet?
8. Complete Information on Mouthwash for Dental Health
9. Dental Myths and Facts in Society-by Dr. Sushma Sharma(Dhiman)
10. Oil Pulling-Benefits, Tips and Methods for Dental Health
11. 4 Great Tips to Help You with Your Smile Makeover
12. What Are The Early Signs Of Gum Disease?
13. 7 Ways to Treat Gapped Teeth Effectively
14. Should I Go to the Dentist When I’m Sick?
15. Habits Start Young: 4 Ways to Implement a Healthy Routine for Your Kids
16. Receding Gums: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Treat Them
17. How to Get Your Biggest, Brightest, and Whitest Smile
18. How Menopause affects Oral Health?
19. Tongue tie in children-know all about the symptoms and cure
20. How to Deal with Black Spaces in your Teeth
21. The Effects of Enlarged Tonsils on Dentition
22. 8 Amazing Benefits Of Baking Soda And Lemon for teeth
23. What Should we Eat and Avoid with Braces?
23. 9 Traditions to Dispose of Lost Milk Teeth
24. Home Remedies and Prevention for Mouth Ulcers
25. Know about the Symptoms, Types, Prevention of Mouth Ulcers
26. Oral Hygiene Maintenance with Braces