What are mouth ulcers?
Mouth irritations, ulcers and lesions can be spots, bumps or sores in the mouth, on the tongue or on the lips. There are many types of mouth ulcers but the most common are canker sores, leukoplakia, cold sores and candidiasis.
- Canker sores are small white sores surrounded by a red border. They are not contagious but can sometimes be confused with cold sores, which are caused by a virus. While canker sores appear on the inside of the mouth, herpes appears on the outside. Canker sores are very common and tend to recur over time.
- Cold sores, herpes simplex or fever blisters, are a cluster of blisters that appear around the lips and sometimes even on the chin or under the nose.
- Leukoplakia presents as a whitish plaque inside the cheek, on the tongue or gums. 5% of leukoplakias may develop into cancer, so the specialist will perform a biopsy.
- Candidiasis is an infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans. It appears as yellow or red plaques on the moist surfaces of the mouth. The tissues beneath the plaques may be painful. Oral fungal infection most often affects newborns, people who wear dentures, people who are more debilitated by disease, or those with weakened immune systems.
Prognosis of the disease
Mouth ulcers are not usually serious and one third of the entire population suffers from them at some time. These sores usually heal within a few days, but any ulcer that persists for more than a week should be examined by a specialist, who may recommend a biopsy to analyze the cause of the ulcer and also to rule out serious diseases, such as possible oral cancer.
Symptoms of mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers are often painful, as well as unsightly. They can sometimes interfere with eating and speaking.
Medical tests for mouth ulcers
Usually no medical tests are necessary for mouth ulcers. If needed, it will basically be a biopsy, to test for ulcer tissue and rule out any serious disease.
What are the causes of mouth ulcers?
Mouth ulcers can have several causes, depending on the type:
- Aphthous ulcers. Their cause is not well known, but some specialists believe that they may be due to problems of the immune-hormonal system, viruses or bacteria. Also, other factors such as stress, allergies, trauma, smoking, iron deficiencies or other vitamins influence a person to suffer from aphthous ulcers.
- Herpes. It is usually caused by the herpes virus and is highly contagious. The first infection usually occurs in children, may be without symptoms, and can be mistaken for the flu or a cold. When the person has been infected the virus remains in the body, attacking periodically. In other people the virus remains inactive.
- Leukoplakia. It is related to smoking and chewing tobacco. Other causes could be ill-fitting dentures, broken teeth or having bitten the cheek.
- Candidiasis. Candidiasis is caused by the fungus Candida albicans, a fungus.
Can it be prevented?
Mouth ulcers can hardly be prevented, but some of the factors that can influence their appearance, such as smoking or the use of ill-fitting dentures, can be avoided.
Treatments for mouth ulcers
The treatment of mouth ulcers will depend on the type of ulcer the patient suffers from:
- Canker sores. They usually heal within a week to 10 days, although they are usually recurrent ulcers. Usually topical ointments and painkillers bring some relief but the sore has to run its course, so it will peak and then the infection will go down on its own. Also, the irritation may be reduced with some antimicrobial mouth rinses.
- Cold sores. Usually lasts about a week. It cannot be cured and may recur during periods of emotional upheaval, allergies, fever or exposure to sunlight. There are topical anesthetics that can temporarily relieve symptoms. Other antiviral drugs can reduce these infections.
- Leukoplakia. To begin treatment, the factors that cause these lesions must be eliminated. In some patients it will mean giving up smoking and, for others, using well-fitting dentures. The specialist will monitor the lesion and its evolution periodically.
- Candidiasis. The causes of the outbreaks should be controlled. Thus, dental prostheses should be cleaned to prevent derived problems, as well as to remove them during the night. If it is caused by antibiotics or oral contraceptives, it may be necessary to reduce the dose or change it. If the cause is unavoidable, antifungal medications may be used. Proper oral hygiene will be essential.
What specialist treats it?
Mouth ulcers are usually treated by a specialist in Dentistry and Stomatology.