Ulcers of the mouth, also called aphtous ulcers, are painful lesions that appear in the mouth.
Causes:
The exact cause of most ulcers is not known. However certain factors increase these lesions.
Stress;
High sugar intake;
Soft drinks;
Acid foods;
Anti-inflammatory drugs;
New orthodontic appliances or dental prosthetics (dentures and partials);
Iron, folic acid, or vitamin B 12 deficiency;
Crohn’s Disease.
Symptoms:
Burning feeling, especially when eating spicy or acidic foods;
Presence of white lesion with a red border that forms inside the lips or the cheeks.
Treatments:
The pain from an ulcer usually diminishes after a few days and completely heals after one to two weeks;
If the ulcers are big and very painful, an antimicrobial mouthwash or a local analgesic cream can be used (ask your pharmacist);
Consult your dentist when:
An ulcer is larger than normal;
An ulcer does not disappear after three weeks;
Pain is intolerable;
Difficulty in ingesting enough fluids;
There is fever at the same time as the ulcer.
Prevention:
Avoid acidic foods (i.e. soft drinks) that can irritate the mouth;
Using a soft bristled toothbrush which avoids causing injury to the gum.
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