Canker Sores: All You Need To Know
Mouth ulcers almost always affect people under the age of 60 and are rarely cause for concern. But if they cause very intense symptoms, have unusual features, or are very recurring, they should not be overlooked.
Mouth ulcers, also called canker sores , are lesions that appear on the inside of the lips or at the base of the gums. It can also be found on the inside of the cheeks, on the palate and around the tonsils.
These lesions are often painful and can make certain daily activities such as brushing teeth, eating, drinking or talking uncomfortable. Usually, mouth ulcers appear as a whitish oval surrounded by redness.
It is estimated that they affect around 25% of the population. They are more common in women, adolescents, and anyone with a family history of the condition. They are not contagious and are hardly ever dangerous.
Types of mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers can be classified in different ways. If they only appear from time to time, we speak of acute canker sores ; when they are recurrent, they are considered to be chronic. According to their clinical manifestation, there are three types of canker sores: major, minor or herpetiform. Let’s see what it is.
Major
Major ulcers or canker sores are more than 10 mm in diameter. They can be isolated or in groups. They implant themselves deep in the tissues and often last for more than a week; some can last several months. They can leave a scar when they disappear and are usually found on the lips, on the palate, the tongue, on the pharynx and on the inside of the cheeks.
Minors
Minor canker sores are less than 10mm in diameter and are the most common form. They are shallow and are found on the edges of the tongue or the inner lining of the lips and cheeks. They cause severe pain that radiates to adjacent areas. But most of the time, they resolve on their own in less than a week. They appear several times, at intervals spaced in time.
Herpetiforms
This type of mouth ulcer forms sores similar to those caused by herpes. However, they are not contagious, although they are recurrent. They appear in groups of small ulcers no larger than 3 mm. They tend to join together to form larger lesions.
Why do we have canker sores?
There are many causes of mouth ulcers. In most cases, they are due to the following triggers:
- Friction of misaligned, broken or self-bite teeth. Likewise, inadequate friction with dentures or braces.
- Injury following vigorous brushing or the use of dental or oral hygiene products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
- Very hot foods that cause a burn. But also, smoking.
- Reaction to certain drugs and hormonal changes due to the female cycle.
- Emotional stress and lack of sleep.
In some cases, canker sores are caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12, zinc, folic acid or iron. It can also be an allergic reaction to bacteria in the mouth.
In some severe cases, these lesions are a manifestation of severe health problems such as inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes mellitus, AIDS / HIV, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, autoimmune disease, or oral cancer. .
Treatments for mouth ulcers
The majority of mouth ulcers are harmless and do not require treatment. They often resolve within 7 to 14 days. In principle, it is advisable to check whether certain products, foods or drugs that we use cause canker sores. If so, they should be replaced by others.
In the event that they are due to an injury or an unknown cause, the treatment for canker sores consists of adopting a few home remedies and using natural remedies to relieve the symptoms:
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm, slightly salted water : three times a day for 4 minutes. Then, gargle with cold water.
- Drink a lot and avoid hot, pungent, acidic foods or very salty and seasoned foods. Of course, avoid tobacco.
- You can take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as paracetamol.
- Playing sports or relaxing for stress are options that distract from the gene.
- Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and consult a dentist if the teeth are in poor condition.
In the event that the symptoms are very severe, home remedies do not work, or the problem becomes recurrent, the best thing to do is to consult a professional. Natural remedies may not be enough.
Possible complications
The main possible complication is that the problem becomes chronic or there is a superinfection. To prevent this, the doctor may advise the use of topical oral antiseptics that contain chlorhexidine hydrochloride, hexetidine, povidone iodine, benzalkonium chloride, or sodium borate.
The doctor should indicate how they are to be administered. In some cases, it is also possible to prescribe antibiotics, especially if the ulcers are large or if they appear recurrently.
Prevention and recommendations to avoid mouth ulcers
The best way to prevent mouth ulcers is to maintain proper hygiene habits. It is necessary to brush your teeth at least three times a day, to use dental floss and a non-irritating mouthwash. It is advisable to see a dentist at least once a year.
A healthy and balanced diet helps prevent this condition. If it is recurrent, the most recommended is to avoid certain foods that can irritate the mouth, such as acidic, pungent foods or very spicy foods. It is also important to be alert to any possible allergy.
Regular physical activity, like practicing relaxation techniques, is an effective way to control stress. Although in general, mouth ulcers should not be a cause of concern, they do require medical attention in some cases:
- If they start to spread and grow gradually.
- If it doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort.
- When they last for more than three weeks.
- In the event that they look unusual or form a spot in the mouth.
When the pain is very intense or this kind of lesion is added to other symptoms such as fever, it is also recommended to see a doctor. Sometimes this is crucial to avoid serious problems.
