What is a Mouth Ulcer?
A mouth ulcer denotes a non-communicable small sore located within the oral cavity, possibly appearing on the lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, or the palate. This prevalent matter affects most individuals at some point, with approximately 20% of the UK population experiencing recurrent mouth ulcers. The occurrence of frequent oral ulcers often links back to the underlying condition known as "Aphthous Stomatitis."
These ulcers tend to be highly sensitive and induce notable pain upon contact, frequently leading to ongoing discomfort. They can disrupt normal chewing and inadvertently result in accidental bites. Consequently, ulcers located on the cheek or gums pose a greater challenge as they are more prone to accidental biting or chewing. The dimensions of mouth ulcers can widely range from a mere millimeter to a centimeter, warranting attention if they exceed this size. A typical mouth ulcer displays a central area of light-yellow hue, encircled by a vivid red border, the redness stemming from swelling.
What Triggers or Causes Mouth Ulcers?
The precise cause of mouth ulcers is not definitively known, but the most common mouth ulcer is typically caused by trauma and usually not indicative of any underlying medical condition.
• Sensitivity to acidic foods like strawberries, citrus, chocolate, and coffee
• Allergic reactions to oral bacteria
• Minor oral injuries resulting from dental procedures, aggressive brushing, or accidental biting
• Toothpaste or mouthwash containing sodium lauryl sulfate
• Deficiency in essential vitamins, particularly zinc, folate, and iron
• Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation
• Emotional stress or inadequate sleep
• Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections in the body
Occasionally, mouth ulcers might indicate a more serious underlying condition that requires medical attention. These conditions may comprise:
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Diabetes mellitus
• Behcet's disease (an inflammatory disorder)
• Coeliac disease (gluten intolerance)
• Malfunctioning immune system attacking healthy oral cells rather than pathogens
What increases your risk of mouth ulcers
- Poor oral hygiene can increase the risk as ulcers can come about due to plaque/bacteria on teeth.
- An unbalanced diet, especially if you are lacking in Iron, Vitamin B12 or C.
- Excessive smoking – as this smoke can damage tissue in the mouth.
- Poor sleep.
- Undiagnosed or disregarded food intolerances.
- Significant stress levels.
- Consuming alcohol regularly, especially spirits which cause considerable damage.
- Autoimmune diseases such as HIV.
- Viral infections such as Herpes.
Mouth ulcers can sometimes be caused by certain medications or treatments, such as:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – such as ibuprofen
Nicorandil (Ikorel) – a medication sometimes used to treat angina
Beta-blockers– used to treat conditions such as angina, high blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms
A side effect of chemotherapyor radiotherapy – this is known as mucositis
What Are the Symptoms Associated with Mouth Ulcers?
MOUTH sores come in three main types: minor, major, and herpetiform.
• Minor sores: Small oval or round ulcers that typically heal within one to two weeks without scarring.
• Major sores: Larger, deeper ulcers with irregular edges, taking up to six weeks to heal and possibly causing lasting scarring.
• Herpetiform sores: Tiny ulcers in clusters with irregular edges, often seen in adults, healing within one to two weeks without scarring.
Certain symptoms of mouth ulcers warrant prompt attention from a doctor:
• Unusually large ulcers
• Ulcers persisting for over three weeks
• Painless ulcers
• New ulcers appearing before old ones heal
• High fever or diarrhoea
How to Prevent Mouth Ulcers?
Taking preventative measures can help reduce the occurrence of mouth ulcers:
• Avoiding irritants like acidic fruits and spicy foods
• Opting for whole grains and alkaline fruits and vegetables
• Maintaining a balanced diet with multivitamins
• Avoiding talking while eating to prevent accidental bites
• Reducing stress and anxiety through adequate sleep and relaxation
• Practicing good oral hygiene with daily interdental cleaning
How to Manage Mouth Ulcers?
Most mouth ulcers will resolve on their own and do not require treatment. However, for individuals prone to frequent ulcers and experiencing pain, various treatments can alleviate discomfort and speed up healing:
• Rinsing with saltwater and baking soda
• Applying ice to the ulcer
• Using a mouth rinse containing steroids to reduce pain and swelling
• Applying a damp tea bag to the ulcer
• Using over-the-counter benzocaine products
• Taking nutritional supplements like folic acid, vitamin B-6/12, and zinc
Over the counter pharmacy remedies include
If unsure which one is for you, pop in and speak to one of our pharmacists