
Common sites involved
- cheek
- lip
- under the tongue
- floor of the mouth
most ulcer don't require specific treatment,as they wil usually heal on their own within 10-14 days
However, treatment may be necessary if your ulcers are severe, painful , occurs repeatedly in time interval or interfere with your daily activities (such as eating). you may need to be referred to a dentist so the condition can be treated.
CAUSES
- accidental biting of the cheek
- injury from a toothbrush
- constant rubbing against malaligned or sharp teeth
- constant rubbing against a denture or braces
- poor oral hygiene
- burns from eating hot food
- reaction to certain drugs such as chemotherapeutic agents
- nutrition deficiency: vitamin B12 ,vitamin c ,zinc, folic acid ,iron deficiency
- bacterial,viral,fungal infection
- associated with skin disease
- cancer of lip
- certain disease including AIDS,diabetes mellitus and inflammatory bowel disease
- idiopathic:without any reason
Minor ulcers: These are around 2-8mm in diameter and usually clear up in 10 days to 2 weeks.
Major ulcers: These are bigger and deeper, often with a raised or irregular border. This type of ulcer can take several weeks to heal and may leave a scar in the mouth.
Herpetiform ulcers: This type of ulcer is a cluster of dozens of smaller sores the size of pinheads.
DIAGNOSIS:
In case of repeated occurance of ulcer between time intervals or severe non healing ulcers for long period of time requires certain investigations
- Blood test - check for sign of infection
- Skin biopsy - a small tag of tissue from ulcer is taken and examined in a laboratory
SELF HELP TIPS:
If you have a mild mouth ulcer, there are some steps you can take yourself to help your ulcer heal more quickly,
- Use a soft toothbrush when brushing your teeth
- Avoid sharp, spicy and acidic foods and drinks until the ulcer heals ,stick to soft foods that are easier to chew
- Drink plenty of water
- Regularly rinse your mouth out with warm,slightly salted water
- Reduce your stress levels by doing an activity that you find reaxing,such as yoga,meditation or exercise
- Keep your mouth clean
- Intake of vitamin supplements
- Take pain killer medication such as paracetamol
CONSULT DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING ANY MEDICATION
PREVENTION
COMPLICATION
Untreated mouth ulcer can occasionally lead to complications
when to contact a medical professional
- Apply antiseptic gel if its a minor ulcer,apply steroid gel if its a major or herpitiform ulcer( 4 to 5 times daily until ulcer heals).apply this gel 15min before eating so that you wil not have any irritation during eating .
- Use a medicated mouthwash
- Treat viral infection with antiviral drug and fungal infection with antifungal drugs
- Immunosuppressant drugs are sometimes required
- If you suspect that a sharp tooth or filling has caused an ulcer, visit your dentist so that they can repair it.
- Severe multipe ulcers can be treated with soft tissue LASERS which will help to kill the germs locally and help in faster healing.
PREVENTION
- Brush your teeth atleast twice a day.brush your teeth very genty,taking care not to slip with the brush
- Floss regulaly
- Visit dentist regularly
- Eat a wel balanced and nutritious diet
- Make sure that underlying conditions such as diabetes mellitus and inflammatory bowel disease are managed regularly
COMPLICATION
Untreated mouth ulcer can occasionally lead to complications
- Bacterial infection
- Inflammation of the mouth(cellulitis)
- Tooth abscess
- Oral cancer
when to contact a medical professional
- A mouth ulcer does not go away after 3 weeks
- You have mouth ulcar return often or if new symptom develop
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