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A mouth ulcer is a sore that appears anywhere inside your mouth.These sores are usually red, yellow or white, and you might have one or several.

COMMON AREAS OF MOUTH ULCER

Gums.

Tongue.

Roof of mouth (palate).

Inner cheeks.

Inner lips.

These sores are often painful and can make eating, drinking and speaking uncomfortable.

Mouth ulcers can be alarming. However, they’re not a sexually transmitted infection(STI) and you can’t get or spread them from kissing or sharing food and drinks. Aside from any pain and discomfort, mouth ulcers are usually harmless and go away on their own in a week or two. But some types of mouth sores could point to underlying health conditions like viruses,autoimmune diseases or gastrointestinal issues.

Types of mouth ulcers

There are many different types of mouth sores and lesions, including:

Canker sores (aphthous ulcers)These are the most common type of mouth ulcers. Healthcare providers aren’t exactly sure what causes them or why some people get them more than others do. Causes include minor trauma (like biting your cheek), acidic foods and even stress. Canker sores are usually white or yellow with red around the edges.

Oral lichen planusThis condition can cause itchy rashes and lacelike, white sores inside your mouth. Oral lichen planus is an immune system response and most commonly affects females age 50 or older.

LeukoplakiaThis condition causes white or gray patches inside your mouth. It develops because of excess cell growth. Chronic irritation from things like smoking or chewing tobacco can cause it. But sometimes it happens for no apparent reason. Leukoplakia lesions usually aren’t cancerous.

ErythroplakiaErythroplakia is another symptom of smoking or chewing tobacco.People with erythroplakia have red patches that commonly appear behind their lower front teeth or under their tongue. Unlike leukoplakia lesions, erythroplakia patches are usually precancerous or cancerous.

Oral thrushAn overgrowth of yeast called Candida albicans causes this fungal infection inside your mouth. It commonly happens after antibiotic treatment or when your immune system isn’t as strong as it usually is. Oral thrush causes red and creamy white mouth sores and patches.

Mouth cancerOral cancer lesions can show up as red or white mouth sores or ulcers. These sores won’t heal on their own. This kind of mouth ulcers may not be gone  after three weeks

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of a mouth ulcer?

Mouth ulcers are usually easy to spot. They appear as sores on your gums, tongue, inner cheeks, inner lips or roof of your mouth.

Mouth sores are typically:

Red around the edges.

White, yellow or gray in the center.

You may only develop one ulcer, or there might be more. Other symptoms could include:

Swelling around the ulcers.

Increased soreness when brushing your teeth.

Pain that worsens when eating spicy, salty or sour foods.

CAUSES

Minor tissue injury from dental work, such as having a cavity filled.

Accidentally biting your cheek or tongue.

An allergic reaction to certain bacteria.

Wearing braces or retainers.

Using harsh or abrasive toothpaste.

Eating lots of acidic foods, such as oranges, pineapples and strawberries.

Hormonal changes during your period.

Stress.

Lack of sleep.

Vitamin deficiencies.

Viral, bacterial or fungal infections.

Crohn’s disease.

Celiac disease.

Reactive arthritis.

Lupus.

Behçet’s disease.

Diagnosis and Tests

A healthcare provider can diagnose a mouth ulcer with a visual examination. If you have a severe breakout, or if they suspect a specific health condition, they may order blood tests.

Management and Treatment

While most mouth sores heal on their own, your provider may prescribe medications to help ease discomfort. Common mouth ulcer treatments include,

There are also things you can do at home to relieve mouth sore symptoms:

Drink plenty of water.

Practice good oral hygiene to keep your mouthas clean as possible.

Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater a few times each day.

Make a mixture of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water and rinse your mouth twice a day.

Avoid hot and spicy foods until the ulcer heals.

PREVENTION

Brush your teeth twice daily and floss once daily for optimal oral health.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid tissue irritation.

Eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.

Anyone can get mouth ulcers. But you should call your healthcare provider if you have:

Mouth sores that last for three weeks or longer.

New sores that appear before the old ones heal.

Mouth ulcers that affect the outer part of your lips.

Pain that doesn’t improve with medication.

Unusually large mouth ulcers.

Mouth sores that are painless.

Fever.

HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES

NUX VOMICA

MERC SOL

BORAXH



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