Mouth ulcers are sores that appear in
the mouth, often on the inside of the cheeks.
Mouth ulcers, also known as apthous ulcers, can be painful when eating, drinking or brushing teeth.
Occasional mouth ulcers are usually harmless and clear up on their own. Seek medical advice if they last longer than 3 weeks or keep coming back.
Mouth ulcers cannot be caught from someone else. Up to 1 in 5 people get recurrent mouth ulcers.
Mouth ulcers, also known as apthous ulcers, can be painful when eating, drinking or brushing teeth.
Occasional mouth ulcers are usually harmless and clear up on their own. Seek medical advice if they last longer than 3 weeks or keep coming back.
Mouth ulcers cannot be caught from someone else. Up to 1 in 5 people get recurrent mouth ulcers.
Types of
mouth ulcer
The main types of mouth ulcer are:
- Minor ulcers. These are around 2-8mm in diameter and usually clear
up in 10 days to 2 weeks.
- Major ulcers. These are bigger and deeper, often with a raised or irregular border. This type of ulcer can take several weeks to heal and may leave a scar in the mouth
- Herpetiform ulcers: This type of ulcer is a cluster of dozens of smaller sores the size of pinheads.
Causes of
Mouth ulcers
The exact cause of most mouth ulcers is
unknown. Stress or tissue injury is thought to be the cause of simple mouth
ulcers. Certain foods, including citrus or acidic fruits and
vegetables (such as lemons, oranges, pineapples, apples, figs, tomatoes and
strawberries), can trigger a mouth ulcer or make the problem worse. Sometimes a
sharp tooth surface or dental appliance, such as braces or
ill-fitting dentures, might also trigger mouth ulcers.
Some cases of complex mouth ulcers are caused by an underlying health condition, such as an impaired immune system; nutritional problems, such as vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, or iron deficiency and gastrointestinal tract disease, such as Coeliac disease and Crohn's disease.
When you first quit smoking, you may develop more mouth ulcers than normal, but this is temporary.
Some medications, including common pain killers, beta-blockers and some chest pain medicines may cause a reaction that leads to mouth ulcers.
Some cases of complex mouth ulcers are caused by an underlying health condition, such as an impaired immune system; nutritional problems, such as vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, or iron deficiency and gastrointestinal tract disease, such as Coeliac disease and Crohn's disease.
When you first quit smoking, you may develop more mouth ulcers than normal, but this is temporary.
Some medications, including common pain killers, beta-blockers and some chest pain medicines may cause a reaction that leads to mouth ulcers.
What are the symptoms of mouth ulcers?
You may have a mouth ulcer if you have:
- A painful sore or sores inside your mouth, on the tongue, soft
palate (the back portion of the roof of your mouth), or inside your
cheeks.
- Sores in your mouth that are round, white, or grey in colour, with a red edge or border.
- In severe mouth ulcer attacks, you may also experience:
- Fever
- Physical sluggishness
- Swollen lymph nodes
Remedies for
Mouth Ulcers
1.
Licorice Root
Mouth ulcers
can be cured with licorice root, as this herb works as a demulcent and forms a
protective coating on the mucous membranes that resists irritation and soothes
open lesions. It also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
- Soak one tablespoon of crushed
licorice root in two cups of water for two to three hours.
- Use it as a mouth rinse several times a day.
- You can also take deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) extract available as chewable tablets or gargle with DGL dissolved in warm water.
2.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk
is highly beneficial in soothing the pain of mouth ulcers.
- Mix a little honey in one tablespoon
of coconut milk. Massage the affected area with it. Do this three or four
times a day.
- Alternatively, you can simply rinse
your mouth with fresh coconut milk or massage coconut oil on the affected
area.
3. Sea
Salt and Hydrogen Peroxide
Both sea
salt and hydrogen peroxide have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and disinfectant
properties. Hence, you can use the ingredients separately or in an effective
combination to cure mouth ulcers or canker sores.
- Add two teaspoons each of sea salt and
3% hydrogen peroxide to a glass of warm water. Mix it well.
- Use it as a mouth rinse.
- Repeat once or twice a day. Make sure
you do not swallow the solution.
4.
Coriander Seeds
An infusion
of coriander seeds is an Ayurvedic remedy that can bring considerable relief
and reduce inflammation.
- Boil one teaspoon of coriander seeds
in a cup of water. Strain it and allow it to cool.
- Swish it around in your mouth.
- Do this three or four times a day.
5. Baking
Soda
Baking soda,
also called sodium bicarbonate, helps treat mouth ulcers. It is especially helpful for
those caused by acidic foods or drinks as baking soda helps neutralize acid. It
will also reduce inflammation and remove germs and bacteria. Be aware that it
may cause a burning sensation.
- Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with a
little water to make a thin paste. Dab it on the affected area. Repeat
this several times a day.
- Alternatively, you can simply put
baking soda directly on your mouth ulcer.
6. Honey
Honey can
soothe ulcers as it helps retain moisture and accelerates the healing process.
It also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Simply dip a
cotton swab in honey and dab it on the affected area. You can also use glycerin
or vitamin E oil in the same way. For mouth sores caused by radiation therapy,
use manuka honey.
7. Aloe
Vera
Applying aloe
vera gel or juice on the affected area alleviates pain, promotes healing,
and works as a natural antiseptic. It also has antibacterial, antifungal,
and antiviral properties. Research has shown it is useful for dealing with oral
health problems such as mouth ulcers, cold sores, gingivitis, and lichen
planus.
8. Celery
simply chewing a fresh celery stalk can be quite effective in providing relief from mouth ulcers due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
simply chewing a fresh celery stalk can be quite effective in providing relief from mouth ulcers due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
In addition,
it contains folic acid and vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, and others. For best
results, after chewing the celery stalk, keep the pulp on the affected area for
about 10 minutes. In addition to healing your mouth ulcers, it will keep
bad breath at bay.
9. Basil
Basil leaves
speed up the healing process for mouth ulcers. Furthermore, they have
antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
- Wash four or five basil leaves
thoroughly.
- Chew them and sip a little water
afterwards.
- Do this twice a day, in the morning and evening. It will also cure bad breath.
10. Ice
Ice is an
effective home remedy to numb the pain of mouth ulcers. It is particularly
helpful when you apply ice on the affected area as soon as you experience
symptoms, like a tingling and burning sensation, before the shallow ulceration
appears.
REMEMBER
Mouth ulcers
generally go away by themselves, and in most cases you can safely ignore them but
if your mouth ulcer does not respond to these home remedies your doctor may
prescribe a topical medication containing a steroid for the inflammation.