Mouth Ulcer

A mouth ulcer is an open sore which occurs inside your mouth. There's many different kinds of oral ulcers and likewise a wide range of different causes including infection, viruses, medical conditions, trauma and cancerous processes. Simply put; a mouth ulcer is an exposed nerve in the lining of your mouth and anything that touches it causes pain which can make it difficult to eat drink and in severe cases talk. The most common forms of mouth ulcers are canker sores (also known as aphthous ulcers) and cold sores.

Canker Sores and Other ulcers

Canker sores often appear with a yellow centre and a surrounding border of red, they are usually oval shaped or rounded. There's a number of different types of canker sores with the most common sort being the Minor canker sore. Usually less than half an inch wide this type of sore typically disappears on its own within a couple of weeks. Although Minor canker sores can be very painful, they're not contagious and won't produce any dangerous symptoms. Major canker sores are larger ulcers which aren't regularly rounded like minor sores. This type of sore is also quite painful and can take a lot longer to heal with some lasting months and others lasting years.

Whilst the exact causes of canker sores is not currently known research continues and there is a number of theories. A strong genetic factor has been found in patients with canker sores often being heriditary and they have been shown to occur more often in women than men. Theres a number of triggers which can cause canker sores including;' Injuries inside the mouth, whether it be through trauma while playing sports, burning the mouth or accidentally biting the inside of your cheek or lip, have all been shown to cause canker sores in the damaged area. Similarly acidic or spicy foods can often cause an irritation in the mouth which can produce sores. Chewing tobacco can often bring about canker sores in the area of the mouth in which the tobacco is held during chewing. This occurs due to certain chemicals which can cause an irritation in the mouth.

Dental problems such as dentures that don't fit correctly can cause a sore to develop in the area where the denture rubs against the tissue. Similarly, orthodontic attachements such as bands or brackets has also been shown to cause sores to occur in the area where friction occurs. Many patients experience sores during their initial orthodontic treatment and following any adjustments which are made to the equipment. Also damaged or broken teeth which rub against tissues in the mouth can also go on to produce canker sores.

Cold sores are a very common type of ulcer which is caused by the herpes simplex virus (or HSV). These ulcers also appear red, swollen and blister-like. They often appear on mucous membranes or swollen areas of the skin and can be tender and quite painful. Although this type of ulcer will heal without scarring there is a tendancy for them to recur in patients.

There's also a number of more serious causes for mouth ulcers including infection from herpes, immune disorders and inflammatory bowel disease. Similarly some ulcers may develop due to a deficiency in viatmin B12, iron or folic acid. If you're getting repeated ulcers that don't heal then it's important to consult your doctor.

Treatment

For ulcers which occur as a side effect of a nother medical condition it's necessary to treat the underlying cause. However for non-serious ulcers any pain can be managed by using soluble paracetemol or rinsing the mouth out thoroughly with iced water before eating. There's also a number of gels and pastilles available over-the-counter which can help with treating various kinds of ulcer. Amongst other popular remedies are camomlie tea, myrrh, licorice and echinacea.

Prevention

In order to prevent ulcers its a good idea to maintain a decent level of oral hygiene and to take care when brushing teeth and gums. Regular dental check ups are also advised. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet with pleanty of vitamins and fruits is also beneficial. Ulcers can also be brought about by stress so it's important to deal with any issues before they bring about physical symptoms.