The mouth is one of the most delicate places in the body. Therefore, minor problems such as toothache can cause intense pain and lead to the inability to eat. One such painful condition is mouth ulcers.
This causes pain and can increase the mouth’s foul smell. To understand ways to get rid of mouth ulcers, firstly, one should understand their causes and symptoms to identify them correctly.
Mouth ulcers are mainly small sores, also known as canker sores, that develop in the mouth at the base of the gums. They can make regular tasks such as eating, talking, and drinking uncomfortable.
Mouth ulcers don’t generally last more than 1 or 2 weeks and are often not contagious. However, you might want to speak to your healthcare provider if it persists for extended periods.
Mouth Ulcer in India
Every day, many people look for ways to get rid of mouth ulcers regularly as they keep coming back. A single mouth ulcer could be due to simple factors such as tongue biting, damage caused by sharp teeth, or aggressive bruising, known as traumatic ulcers.
However, if there happens to be more than one ulcer in the mouth, which could be due to a virus, are recurrent, then they are known as Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS).
This condition is suffered by more than 20% of people, and girls are more susceptible to it. It often comes with itching, tingling, and burning sensations.
What are possible mouth ulcer causes?
Although there are no identifiable mouth ulcer causes, they can sometimes be caused by triggers and certain risk factors. Girls, adolescents, children, and people with a family history of mouth ulcers are more likely to be at risk of developing it. Some of the triggers can include:
- Dental braces
- Hormonal changes, especially those during pregnancy and menstruation
- Mouth injury from hard brushing, accidental bite, or dental work
- Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections
- Sensitivities caused by acidic foods
- Nutritional deficiencies such as that of vitamin B9, iron, zinc, and Vitamin B12,
- Allergic reaction to oral bacteria
- Toothpaste with sodium lauryl sulfate
- Emotional stress
- Lack of sleep
Mouth ulcers can also signify severe conditions, such as HIV, diabetes, celiac disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and autoimmune diseases.
What are the symptoms of mouth ulcers?
The symptoms of mouth ulcers mainly depend on the causes. However, below are some of the signs that can identify mouth ulcers.
- White, yellow, or red painful sores
- Pain worsens when you talk, eat, or drink.
- Soreness remains inside the mouth or on the tongue.
- The area surrounded by soreness appears red.
Mouth ulcers are generally not contagious unless caused by an infection, and there might be multiple ulcers in the mouth simultaneously.
Canker sores are commonly found, with more than 20% of people having them at least once. They are significant of three kinds, minor, major, and herpetiform.
- Minor canker sores are oval around small ulcers that heal within 1 or 2 weeks.
- Major canker sores are larger and have irregular edges. It takes weeks and months to heal and can cause scarring in the long term.
- Herpetiform canker sores are pin-point sized in clusters, mainly on the tongue. They may have irregular edges and often take about a month to heal.
What are the ways to get rid of mouth ulcers?
Usually, mouth ulcers get treated on their own in a few days. However, if it causes intense pain, some mouth ulcer treatments mentioned below can be applied and tried.
- Using a cooling gel prescribed by the doctor
- Putting a paste made from baking soda on the ulcer
- Covering the ulcer with a damp tea bag
- Apply ice to the affected area
- Using milk or magnesia to place on the ulcer
- Rinsing the mouth with baking soda and saltwater
- Opting for a mouth rinse that has steroids to reduce swelling and pain
- Using other OTC products
- Taking proper supplements for nutritional deficiencies, such as Vitamin B9, B12, zinc, and iron.
- Trying on other natural remedies
Can mouth ulcers be prevented?
Although there are no ways to ‘fully’ prevent mouth ulcers, they can be reduced.
- Avoid food that is acidic and irritates your mouth.
- Reduce stress
- Avoid talking while chewing can help avoid accidental bites.
- Getting proper rest and sleep is essential.
- Avoid toothbrushes with stiff bristles and mouthwashes containing alcohol
- Maintain good oral hygiene.
Conclusion
Maintaining good hygiene can solve a lot of purposes, especially for those concerned with oral hygiene. Another way to keep oral hygiene that everyone should follow is going to a dentist twice a year. It is one of the most vital healthcare visits, and experts have emphasized its importance for an extended period. Bansal Hospital has the best dental department that focuses on maintaining the good oral health of its patients.