Ulcers and Canker Sores

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:
  1. An ulcer is larger than normal;
  2. An ulcer does not disappear after three weeks;
  3. Pain is intolerable;
  4. Difficulty in ingesting enough fluids;
  5. 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.