A disease that causes small ulcers on the gums, lips, tongue, inner cheeks, or roof of the mouth is called mouth ulcers. In general, there are a lot of things that can cause them, including hormonal imbalances, emotional distress, minor injuries, and others. While most of them disappear without treatment, some types of mouth ulcers require treatment.
Moreover, these sores cause pain, especially when you are eating or drinking, and can make it uncomfortable to speak. Sometimes, mouth ulcers are a warning sign because they can indicate sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Commonly, STIs are contagious infections that easily spread from one person to another. They often spread through kissing, sharing food and drinks, during sexual intercourse, and other ways. Certain types of mouth ulcers may indicate an underlying disorder, such as a viral infection, an autoimmune disorder, or a gastrointestinal problem.
Types of Mouth Ulcers
Physicians have divided this condition into several types. Check some of them below:
- Canker sores (also known as aphthous ulcers) – This type is one of the most common forms of mouth ulcers, and doctors do not fully understand what exactly causes it. However, possible causes include mild injuries (such as biting the cheek), acidic foods, and even stress, especially for long periods. These sores often appear white or yellow with red edges.
- Oral lichen planus – People who develop this type of mouth sores may experience white sores inside the mouth and an itchy rash. While it can affect anyone, it usually affects older women (over 50 years old). In other words, oral lichen planus is an immune response.
- Leukoplakia – The symptoms of this condition are very similar to those of oral lichen planus, but the patches in the mouth can have different colors (including gray and white). Most of the time, people develop leukoplakia due to excessive cell growth in certain parts of the mouth. One possible cause is smoking or chewing tobacco, which causes long-term irritation. Moreover, leukoplakia is often treatable, and it does not turn into cancer.
- Erythroplakia – This is a more serious form of mouth ulcers, and it may also occur due to smoking or chewing tobacco. In most cases, it appears behind the lower front teeth and under the tongue. In addition, erythroplakia patches are often precancerous or cancerous.
- Oral thrush – This is also a type of yeast called Candida albicans that causes a fungal infection in the mouth. Mostly, it appears after treatment with antibiotics (a group of medicines used to treat bacterial infections) or when your immune system is weakened.
- Mouth cancer – The most common symptom of mouth cancer is wounds or sores that do not heal on their own. If you notice a mouth ulcer that does not disappear within 1-2 weeks, immediately visit a doctor.
Symptoms
In general, it is easy to identify mouth ulcers. Usually, they appear on the tongue, gums, inner cheeks, inner lips, or roof of the mouth. While a person can develop only one mouth ulcer, sometimes they he/she may develop multiple mouth sores. Check some general symptoms below:
- Swelling
- Increased soreness while brushing your teeth
- Redness around the sores
- A white, yellow, or gray substance in the center of the ulcer
- Pain that often worsens when eating salty, spicy, or sour foods
It is recommended to contact your doctor if a mouth ulcer does not heal within 14 days because it may indicate a more serious health condition.
What Causes Mouth Ulcers?
This condition may occur due to multiple reasons. Check some examples below:
- Mild trauma, including injuries from dental work
- Allergic reactions to bacteria
- Biting the cheek or tongue accidentally
- Harsh or abrasive toothpaste
- Braces or retainers
- Hormonal changes (such as those during the menstrual period)
- Prolonged stress
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia)
- A diet high in acidic foods (including pineapples, oranges, strawberries, and others)
In addition, there are some health conditions that are usually associated with mouth ulcers. These include:
- Crohn’s disease
- Celiac disease
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Behcet’s disease
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections
What Happens if Mouth Ulcers Are Left Untreated?
While most of the time, mouth ulcers go away on their own, some types may cause long-term effects, especially if they are left untreated. Check some complications below:
- Secondary infections – Sometimes, existing ulcers can become infected and cause severe pain.
- Nutritional deficiencies and dehydration
- Physical damage – People who develop large and deep ulcers in the mouth may also experience scar tissue in the affected areas.
- Underlying disease indicator – If you develop mouth ulcers that do not heal on their own, it often indicates an underlying condition. These include mouth cancer, autoimmune disorders (such as Crohn’s disease), and others.
- Dental complications – In more advanced cases, it may lead to necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis that causes damage to the gums.
The previous list does not contain a complete list of mouth ulcer complications. Talk with your doctor about measures to reduce the risk or even prevent them.
How to Prevent Mouth Ulcers?
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to prevent mouth ulcers. However, the following things can reduce the risk. Examples include:
- Dietary changes – Doctors often recommend reducing the amount of spicy and salty foods and adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.
- Regularly visit your dentist for checkups and cleaning
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid tissue irritation
- Clean your teeth twice a day and floss once daily to maintain good oral health
When doctors suspect you develop mouth ulcers due to an underlying disorder, you may need treatment.
Diagnosis
In most cases, mouth ulcers are diagnosed during a physical examination. However, when people have severe breakouts, doctors may perform blood tests to check for the underlying disorder.
Treatment
Most of the time, mouth sores go away on their own, but doctors may prescribe some medicines to relieve the symptoms. For example:
- Immunosuppressants – These medicines are used to suppress the immune system when it causes mouth ulcers.
- Steroid ointments that contain Triamcinolone.
- Antiseptic gels or mouth rinses
Moreover, there are some home remedies that may also help reduce the symptoms. For example:
- Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater several times per day
- Use a mixture of equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water to rinse your mouth
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration
- Use over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to relieve pain
- Avoid spicy and hot foods until wounds disappear
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do mouth ulcers last?
Commonly, when mouth sores are not caused by an underlying disorder, they disappear within 14 days. However, if it lasts longer, it often indicates an underlying disorder. Do not hesitate to visit a doctor if a mouth ulcer lasts more than 2 weeks.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
If any of the following things or symptoms occur, it is recommended to see a doctor. For example:
- Pain that does not go away
- Large mouth ulcers
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Mouth sores that do not cause pain
- New mouth sores
- Medicines do not relieve pain
Are mouth ulcers a cancer symptom?
While most of the time, mouth ulcers do not indicate oral cancer, some of them can be precancerous or cancerous. Furthermore, most types of mouth ulcers are harmless and heal on their own within 10 to 14 days. If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare provider.
