Mouth Ulcers Treatment

Mouth ulcers are small lesions inside the mouth, caused by breaks in the mucous membrane that lines the inner side of the mouth. There are two common types of mouth ulcers - aphthous ulcers or canker sores, and cold sores or fever blisters. While aphthous ulcers can be caused by various reasons or even without any exact cause, cold sores are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus. Contagious cold sores begin as blisters and then crust over, but canker sores are not contagious and appear as yellow lesions with red outline. Canker sores affect the inner lining of the mouth, especially the inner side of the lips and cheeks and tongue. Cold sores are mostly found in and around the lips, but can affect the inner mouth, especially the gums and palate. As compared to canker sores, cold sores heal faster.

What Causes Mouth Ulcers

As mentioned earlier, cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus. Canker sores can be caused by any of the following reasons. Accidental biting of the cheek, lips or tongue, injury caused by toothbrush while brushing, friction caused by orthodontic braces, poor fitted dentures, dry mouth, intake of certain medication, too much stress, hormonal changes, vitamin deficiency, food allergy, constant rubbing with misaligned or sharp teeth, poor oral hygiene, oral thrush infection, some autoimmune diseases, medical conditions like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, tuberculosis, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer. Any of the above causes can be the reason for the appearance of canker sores. Even though most of the canker sores subside without treatment, in some cases they may not heal. If left untreated, such canker sores can lead to bacterial infection, inflammation of the mouth (cellulitis) or tooth abscess.

Treatment

Mouth ulcers often subside within seven to ten days of their appearance and do not require treatment. However, the condition can be extremely painful for some people, who may need treatment aimed at relieving pain. Other than pain relief, mouth ulcers treatment can prevent further damage and chances of bacterial infection. Some medication can boost the healing process of these ulcers. The treatment may include analgesics, antimicrobial mouthwashes, corticosteroids, gels, pastes or liquid paint. Corticosteroids reduce the inflammation, which in turn may bring some pain relief too. Analgesics are often administered as pain killers. Paste and gels are applied over the ulcers to form a protective layer. Some of them contain pain killers and anti-inflammatory medicines too. You have to re-apply them many times during the day. Antimicrobial mouthwashes are beneficial in case of ulcers which are hard to reach or if there are many mouth ulcers. Such mouthwash prevents bacterial infection and may also aid in fast healing. All the above mentioned mouth ulcer treatment options are beneficial in most cases. However, if the mouth ulcer does not heal within three weeks of its appearance, or if it is recurrent in nature, you must consult a doctor, to find out the exact cause. In case of cold sores caused by herpes simplex virus, antiviral medication are usually prescribed as mouth ulcers treatment.

While mild and infrequent mouth ulcers are considered normal, severe and recurrent cases need medical attention. This is because of the fact that such ulcers can be a symptom of some underlying medical condition, medication, lifestyle factor and ill-fitted dentures. If there is any such specific cause, you have to treat the underlying condition in order to treat mouth ulcers. For relief from the ulcers, you can also resort to somehome remedies. You may apply, honey or peppermint oil or a paste of gooseberry on the ulcers, for fast healing. Another mouth ulcer home remedy is yogurt or banana. Intake of both these items are believed to be good for relief from the ulcers. You may also apply a paste of turmeric powder and glycerin on the ulcers. Chewing five to six holy basil leaves twice a day, is also said to be beneficial. Home remedies can be the best treatment for mouth ulcers mild in nature. In severe cases, medication will be needed.

Apart from these, some self care techniques may also help you in getting rid of mouth ulcers. You must avoid spicy, acidic and hot food. Have your dental fitting rechecked, if they are not fitting properly. Drink lots of water and have a well-balanced diet with more fruits and vegetables. Take vitamin supplements, if needed, but, only as per the instructions of the doctor. In case of stress, you must resort to some stress relief techniques. All these measures can help you in getting relief from mouth ulcers. However, as mentioned above, do not hesitate to seek medical attention in case of recurrent or severe mouth ulcers.