These are painful sores that develop in the mouth which can be uncomfortable. Oral ulcers can be quite common which can clear on their own within a few weeks. Most of the mouth ulcers are rarely an indication of anything serious which can be managed at home unless it lasts longer than three weeks. Oral ulcers can develop because of a trauma, infections, inflammatory disorders, irritation or sometimes the cause may remain unknown. Oral ulcers are not contagious and should not be confused with cold sores which appear around the mouth presenting a tingling, itching or a burning sensation.
Causes
The acute and recurrent infections can develop because of oral thrush, herpes simplex, Epstein-Barr virus, the consequence of HIV infection and secondary syphilis. In the case of severe oral ulcers, this can be an indication of a hand, foot and mouth disease which can cause a rash or because of an oral lichen planus that presents white, lacy pattern inside the cheeks. In some cases, it can be triggered by hormonal changes, vitamin B12 or iron deficiency, a long-term condition such as coeliac disease, medications including beta-blockers or nicorandil and when stopping smoking the first time. In few of the cases, the long-lasting oral ulcers can be an indication of mouth cancer which usually appears on or under the tongue and other areas of the mouth.
Symptoms
Oral ulcers can be oval or round sores that can develop inside the mouth on the cheeks, the lips or the tongue. They are usually white, red or yellow in color and appear to be swollen. Oral ulcers have the potential to spread or grow which can be multiple in numbers depending on the case. The oral ulcers can be painful making it uncomfortable to eat or drink. It is important to seek medical evaluation particularly if the oral ulcers have lasted three weeks, they are recurrent or has become more painful as this can be an indication of a bacterial infection.
Treatment
There is no quick way of fixing the oral ulcers. It is particularly important to avoid food that can irritate the oral ulcers which can help reduce pain, reduce the chance of recurrence and to help speed the healing process. Some of the things to avoid during oral ulcers include drinking very hot or acidic juices, eating very salty or spicy food, to prevent consuming rough or crunchy food such as a toast and to use a toothpaste that has sodium lauryl sulphate. Some of the treatment options for oral ulcers include an antimicrobial mouthwash, corticosteroid lozenges and a painkiller mouthwash or gel.
Prevention
Sometimes, the single oral ulcers can be prevented by avoiding biting inside of the cheek, using badly fitting dentures, cuts or burns while consuming food, by damaging the gums with a toothbrush or using irritating toothpaste.
References
http://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/mouth-ulcers/
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Mouth-ulcer/Pages/Introduction.aspx
https://beta.nhs.uk/conditions/mouth-ulcers
