Mouth Ulcers

Types of Mouth Ulcers

There are several types of mouth sores and lesions, each with distinct characteristics:

Canker sores (aphthous ulcers):

The most common type of mouth ulcers. They appear as white or yellow sores with red edges. While the exact cause is unknown, factors like minor trauma, acidic foods, and stress may trigger them.

Oral lichen planus:

This condition causes itchy rashes and white, lace-like sores inside the mouth. It’s an immune system response, primarily affecting women and people assigned female at birth over 50.

Leukoplakia:

Characterized by white or gray patches inside the mouth, leukoplakia results from excess cell growth. It’s often associated with chronic irritation from tobacco use but can occur without an apparent cause. These lesions are usually non-cancerous.

Erythroplakia:

These are red patches appearing on the oral membrane, including tongue, inner cheeks or floor of mouth. Erythroplakia is often linked to tobacco use. Unlike leukoplakia, these patches are usually precancerous or cancerous.

Oral thrush:

A fungal infection that is caused by the overgrowth of Candida Albicans. It presents itself as red and creamy white sores or patches in the mouth. Oral thrush is also seen to be occurring in relation with antibiotic treatments or weakened immune systems.

Mouth cancer:

In a few cases, oral cancer manifests itself as persistent red or white mouth sores or ulcers that do not heal on their own. If any mouth ulcer is seen to be present over three weeks, it should be checked by a professional.

Mouth Ulcer Causes

For Mouth ulcers it becomes difficult to at times understand their exact cause as various factors contribute to their development. Women, children and adolescents or ones with a family history of the condition are seen to be more prone to developing ulcers.
Common causes and risk factors include:

1. Physical trauma or injury:

• Accidental biting of the cheek or tongue
• Dental work or poorly fitting dental appliances
• Hard brushing or irritating toothpaste
• Sports injuries
• Cuts or burns from food or drinks

2. Irritants and sensitivities:

• Toothpaste or mouthwash containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
• Acidic or spicy foods and beverages
• Food intolerances or allergies

3. Nutritional factors:

• Deficiencies in vitamins B12, B9 (folate), D, iron, and zinc

4. Hormonal changes:

• Menstruation, pregnancy, puberty, and menopause

5. Stress and lifestyle factors:

• Emotional stress and anxiety
• Lack of sleep
• Quitting smoking

6. Infections:

• Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, including hand, foot, and mouth disease

7. Medications:

• Some NSAIDs, beta-blockers, and pain killers

8. Underlying health conditions:

• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, oral lichen planus, Behçet’s disease)
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g., Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Celiac disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Weakened immune system

How are Mouth Ulcers Diagnosed?

The majority of mild mouth ulcers are easily detectable and don’t need to be thoroughly investigated. But if you go to the doctor, the diagnosis usually entails the following steps:

Visual examination:
A basic clinical examination is typically sufficient for a healthcare provider to diagnose mouth ulcers. They will assess the lesions’ location, kind, and appearance.

Medical history:
While discussing your case history, your doctor will inquire about any possible triggers or related symptoms. Alongwith medical history the frequency, duration, and severity of your ulcers too helps understand the situation better.

Further investigations:
For severe, persistent, or numerous lesions, few more tests are suggested to understand the recurring cause, namely:

• Complete blood count (CBC) test
• Quantitative C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)These tests reveal persistent infection or inflammation in the body. This may be connected to specific medical disorders that result in mouth ulcers.
• Tests for vitamin B12 and vitamin B9 (folate)Done to identify dietary deficits that exacerbate the development of ulcers.
• Additional specific testing (if required)

Mouth Ulcer Treatment

While most of the mouth ulcers are self healing and disappear within a few days to two weeks, it never hurts to understand their management. Various at home treatments are available that help reduce pain and discomfort, alongwith accelerating healing time and minimizing recurrences. If home remedies don’t help we also do have a list of over the counter medications that help while you seek help from a professional.

Home remedies and over-the-counter treatments:

1. Topical applications:

• Baking soda paste
• Milk of magnesia
• Over-the-counter benzocaine products (e.g., Orajel, Anbesol)
• Ice application

2. Mouth rinses:

• Salt water and baking soda rinse
• Antiseptic mouth rinses

3. Natural remedies:

• Echinacea, myrrh, and licorice root (in various forms like teas or oils)
• Applying damp tea bags to the ulcer

4. Nutritional supplements:

• Vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin B12, zinc, and iron supplements if deficiencies are present

Prescription treatments:

For severe, persistent, or frequently recurring mouth ulcers, a healthcare provider may prescribe:

1. Topical medications:

• Steroid ointments (e.g., triamcinolone)
• Pain-killing gels or ointments

2. Oral medications (to be taken after consulting with a healthcare professional):

• Steroid tablets
• Immunosuppressants (in severe cases)

3. Mouth rinses:

• Steroid-containing rinses help to reduce pain and swelling
• Antimicrobial rinses (e.g., chlorhexidine) to prevent infection and reduce inflammation

4. Cauterization:

• Laser therapy or silver nitrate solution is used to reduce pain and speed up healing. It is typically performed for severe cases.

Mouth ulcers aren’t a big cause of concern, unless the occurrence becomes frequent, severe or long lasting, it is recommended to visit a professional for accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.

When to See a Doctor

While most mouth ulcers are harmless and heal on their own, certain situations warrant medical attention. You should consult a healthcare provider or dentist if you experience any of the following:

1. Persistent ulcers:

• Mouth sores that last for three weeks or longer
• New ulcers appearing before old ones heal

2. Unusual characteristics:

• Unusually large mouth ulcers
• Painless sores
• Ulcers that affect the outer part of your lips

3. Severe symptoms:

• Pain that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medication
• Severe problems eating or drinking

4. Associated symptoms:

• Fever
• Diarrhea whenever mouth ulcers appear

5. Frequent recurrence:

• If you get mouth ulcers often

Questions to ask your healthcare provider:

If you’re experiencing severe or frequent mouth ulcers, consider asking your doctor the following:

• What might be causing my recurring mouth ulcers?
• Could an underlying condition be responsible?
• How can I reduce my risk of getting mouth ulcers?
• What treatments do you recommend?
• Should I make any changes to my diet or lifestyle?

Remember, early intervention can help manage symptoms more effectively and identify any potential underlying issues. Don’t hesitate to seek medical advice if you’re concerned about your mouth ulcers.

Dos and Don’ts with Mouth Ulcers

How Much Does the Treatment for Mouth Ulcers Cost?

Treatments for mouth ulcers should be carried out at its earliest stages to avoid extra expenses that might incur later if the situation goes unheeded. You need to contact the nearest Clove Dental clinic in India for the best prices.

Recurrent, or indeed persistent, mouth ulcers are a major symptom for many serious conditions. If you have recurrent or severe mouth ulcers, it is important to seek an appropriate diagnosis and treatment from your doctor or dentist.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.1.Do Mouth Ulcers Lead To Oral Cancer?

Oral cancers may lead to non healing painful mouth ulcers that persist for weeks. Although mouth ulcers appear anywhere in the mouth, those appearing beneath the tongue are one’s to look out for.

Q.2.How Are Mouth Sores Treated?

Mouth ulcers typically go better in a week. For at home treatment, drink lots of water and avoid hot foods. Also warm salt water rinses and antiseptic gel application have shown good results.

Q.3. How Long Does It Take To Heal Ulcers?

Mouth ulcers generally heal on their own in one to two weeks.

While severe and painful ulcers may not heal for up to six weeks. It is recommended to consult a dentist for quick relief from sores.

Q.4.Can One Apply Toothpaste To Ulcers?

Toothpastes treat mouth ulcers by reducing the swelling and pain of ulcers. But for ones who are prone to mouth ulcers, SLS toothpastes may aggravate ulcers. Hence it is recommended to seek help from a dentist nearby for painful and non self healing ulcers.

Q.5.How Can You Get Rid Of Mouth Ulcers Permanently?

A healthy diet and strict oral hygiene are the secrets to an ulcer-free mouth. Mouth ulcers can be caused due to underlying health reasons like Vitamin B12 deficiency and iron deficiency too. Patients prone to mouth ulcers must consult the best dentist near them for a permanent solution.

Q.6. How Long Do Canker Sores Last?

The healing period for Minor sores is 7-10 days, whereas major ones take up to 6 weeks to heal completely.

Q.7.What if My Canker Sore Isn’t Going Away?

When the canker sore doesn’t heal within 3 weeks, professional consultation shall be sought. Persistent sores could indicate an underlying health condition or may require medical assistance.

Q.8.How Do I Know If I Have a Traumatic ulcer?

Traumatic ulcers appear shortly after an injury to the mouth. It can be caused by activities such as biting your cheek or tongue, or irritation from dental work. They occur at the site of injury and heal within a few days when the source of trauma is removed.

Q.9.Can Cancer Cause Mouth Ulcers?

While nearly all mouth ulcers are benign, some forms of mouth cancer may initially appear as nonhealing ulcers. Any mouth sore not healed within 3 weeks should be looked at by a healthcare professional.

Q.10.Should I Worry About My Ulcers?

Most mouth ulcers are harmless and heal on their own. However, you should be concerned if ulcers are large, painful, persistent (lasting more than 3 weeks), or recurring frequently. These could indicate an underlying health issue.

Q.11.How Can I Prevent Mouth Ulcers From Occuring Again?

Avoid well-known triggers (such as particular meals), practice proper oral hygiene, control your stress, eat a balanced diet high in vitamins and minerals, and protect your mouth’s lining from harm in order to prevent recurrence.

Q.12.How Much Time Does it Take to Cure Mouth Ulcers?

Most minor mouth ulcers heal within 7-14 days without treatment. With proper care and treatment, healing time can be reduced. However, more severe ulcers may take up to 6 weeks to heal completely.

Medically Reviewed

Last Reviewed by Clove Clinical Team on Aug 05, 2024 | Written by Dr. Shreya Singh