23/06/2018
Mouth ulcers are painful areas in the mouth and gums. They are also known as canker sores.
While mostly harmless, mouth ulcers can be extremely uncomfortable and make it difficult for some people to eat, drink, and brush their teeth.
Mouth ulcers range in size, and the exact symptoms of the mouth ulcer will depend on what type of ulcer a person has.
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-Most mouth ulcers are recurring nuisances that are benign.
-Quitting smoking and acidic foods can aggravate mouth ulcers.
-It is important to note that a doctor or dentist should examine any new ulcer and any ulcer lasting longer than 3 weeks.
-For most people, mouth ulcers will clear up within 2 weeks.
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Standard ulcers appear on the inner cheeks and last for about 1 week. Most are harmless and clear up with no medical intervention.
There are three main types of mouth ulcers. These include:
A-Herpetiform ulceration (HU)
Herpetiform ulcers are a subtype of aphthous ulcers and get their name because they resemble the sores associated with herpes. Unlike herpes, HU is not contagious. HU ulcers recur very quickly, and it may appear that the condition never gets better.
B-Minor ulcers
This type can range in size from about 2 millimeters (mm) up to 8 mm across. These ulcers typically take up to 2 weeks to get better and will cause minor pain.
C-Major ulcers
Bigger than minor ulcers, major ulcers are often irregular in shape, may be raised, and pe*****te deeper into the tissue than minor ulcers. They can take several weeks to go away and are likely to leave scar tissue when they clear.
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Ulcers can be painful, and the pain can be made worse by food, drink, and poor oral hygiene.
A-HU lesions may:
appear as extremely painful ulcers in the mouth
recur very quickly, so infections seem continuous
increase in size, eventually coming together to form a large, ragged ulcer
take 10 or more days to heal
appear anywhere in the mouth
They tend to be found in more females than males and are more common in older adults.
B-Symptoms of minor and major ulcers include:
one or more painful sores that may appear on the cheeks, the roof of the mouth, or the tongue
the appearance of round lesions that have red edges and are yellow, white, or gray in the middle
During more extreme outbreaks of mouth ulcers, some people may experience fever, sluggishness, and swollen glands.
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The exact cause of mouth ulcers is still not known and varies from person-to-person. Still, there are some common causes and several factors that may aggravate mouth ulcers, including the following:
-quitting smoking
-citrus fruits and other foods high in acidity or spice
-braces, poor-fitting dentures, and other
-apparatus that may rub against the mouth and gums
-stressor anxiety
-hormonal changes during pregnancy, puberty, and menopause
-medications including beta-blockersand pain killers
-genetic factors
-Some people may develop ulcers as a result of a different medical condition or a nutritional deficiency.
-Conditions such as celiac or Crohn’s disease, vitamin B12 or iron deficiency, or a weakened immune system may all trigger ulcers to form.
?
Mouth cancer and mouth ulcers are distinctive in their symptoms. However, as mentioned earlier, new or persistent ulcers require checking.
There are some fundamental differences between mouth ulcers and what might be cancer:
Mouth ulcers are often painful whereas mouth cancer is not.
Mouth ulcers will clear up in about 2 weeks, whereas mouth cancer will not go away and will often spread.
Mouth cancer patches may be rough, hard, and not easy to scrape off.
Mouth cancer is often a mix of red and white areas or large white areas that appear on the tongue, the back of the mouth, the gums, or on the cheeks.
Mouth cancer is often linked to heavy drinking or to***co use.
When to see a doctor
People who frequently get mouth ulcers may find it difficult to know when to see a doctor.
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There's no treatment for mouth ulcers as they resolve within 1-2 weaks but some preventions include :
-Talking to a health care proffesional about changing medications that are known to cause ulcers
-avoiding foods that can either trigger or worsen symptoms
-keeping the mouth clean with daily brushing and flossing
-avoiding triggers known to cause outbreaks in the past
