What is a Mouth Ulcer
A mouth ulcer is very common oral lesion affecting between 15% and 30% of the population.12 They are more common in women and those under 45.
Mouth ulcers are simply open sores inside the mouth. Determining what type of ulcer you have is less simple as ulcers vary by type and cause. Causes include infection by a virus such as cold sores (oral herpes) and aphthous ulcers (canker sores). Other causes include physical injury, acidic food, stress , allergies to medications and cancerous and nonspecific processes.
Mouth Ulcer Symptoms
Symptoms of mouth ulcers are quite distinct. They appear as open sores within the mouth that are accompanied by discomfort, pain, and burning. The sores look like small, round craters with swollen sides and white or yellow centers. They will also be a bit swollen from the area where they are located. The specific type of ulcer will also determine what signs or symptoms exist.
Main Types of Mouth Ulcer
There are basically three types of mouth ulcers, minor, major, and herpetiform:
• Minor ulcers are normally smaller than 10 mm and leave no scarring after they heal. Only one will usually appear at a time, but occasionally up to five will develop simultaneously. Within 7 to 10 days, these minor annoyances will disappear.
• Major Ulcers are much deeper and larger and can be at least 1cm in diameter. They usually have irregular borders and are raised at the edges. They can leave a scar behind and can take months to a year to vanish.
• Pinpoint ulcers, or herpetiform, are quite different in the fact that they are tiny ulcers that develop into clusters within the mouth. The cluster itself can contain up to a 100 tiny ulcers that can fuse together to form larger irregular sores and can be very painful. Herpetiform ulcers are not related to the herpes virus and there is usually no scarring.
The type of ulcer can be diagnosed very easily through observation and physical examination of the mouth. A doctor will also want to discuss a patient’s medical history to insure that the mouth ulcers are not a side effect of a more serious health condition or disease. If the sores are very severe or frequently reoccurring, an individual should always seek medical advice. Minor ulcers that occur occasionally can be treated at home.
Mouth Ulcer Treatment
While most ulcers will heal and disappear without intervention, mouth ulcer treatment can help with discomfort and pain. It can also speed up the healing process, but will not prevent the future onset of the sores. Home treatment includes the use of over the counter medications and mouthwashes. A mouthwash can also be made at home from a mixture of salt and warm water that will help reduce swelling and ease soreness. Ice packs can also be used and applied to the areas where the ulcers are causing pain.
More serious episodes of the sores will require prescribed treatments from a doctor. Corticosteroids in lozenge or paste form can be used to control inflammation. There are also different forms of pain medication such as gels and sprays that doctors can recommend to use inside the mouth. A specific mouthwash containing antibiotics, antihistamine, and anesthetic is another popular choice given to patients to help heal the ulcer and limit discomfort. If it is determined that the sores are a result of a diet deficiency, supplemental vitamins will be prescribed to compensate. Women may also experience these during certain times in their monthly cycle and hormone treatment can be used to prevent them.
Rare complications such as oral thrush, abscesses, and secondary infections can occur when mouth ulcers are left untreated. It is important to be vigilant and aware of the sores’ appearance and frequency to know when professional medical attention is needed. Eating healthy, eliminating stress and stopping smoking are preventative measures an individual can take to help ward off these painful sores.
- J.M. Casiglia, G.W. Mirowski, C.L. Nebesio (October 2006). "Aphthous stomatitis". Emedecine. [↩]
- T. Axéll, V. Henricsson (1985). "The occurrence of recurrent aphthous ulcers in an adult Swedish population". Acta Odontologica Scandinavia. [↩]
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