Introduction
Mouth ulcers referred to as oral ulcers or canker sores and are the small, painful lesions which inside the mouth mucous membrane.
The Development of Mouth Ulcers
- Morphology: Most mouth ulcers are circular or oval and contain a middle of a white, yellow, or grayish color surrounded by a red margin in general
- Size: They usually measure one of the three millimeters to the ones of the centimeters.
- Duration: In nearly all patients, mouth ulcers disappear by the end of the first to the second week and do not scar. A few cases are, however, more serious and can last longer, the way they have to be medically treated. More than 2 weeks may be expected for the case to recover.
Varieties of Mouth Ulcers
- Canker Sores: Most mouth ulcers are circular or oval and contain a middle of a white, yellow, or grayish color surrounded by a red margin in general
- Cold Sores: They usually measure one of the three millimeters to the ones of the centimeters.
- Traumatic Ulcers: In nearly all patients, mouth ulcers disappear by the end of the first to the second week and do not scar. A few cases are, however, more serious and can last longer, the way they have to be medically treated. More than 2 weeks may be expected for the case to recover.
- Aphthous Stomatitis: A condition characterized by recurrent mouth ulcers, often with an unknown cause.
Mouth Ulcers Causes
- Mechanical Injuries: Biting the cheek, wearing braces, or having sharp teeth can cause mouth ulcers.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Inadequate vitamins and minerals like Vitamin B12 and iron may lead to the development of mouth ulcers.
- Stress and Hormonal Changes: Stress and the changes in hormones due to menstrual periods can be causes for forming mouth ulcers.
- Certain Foods and Medication: Spicy, hot, or acidic foods and drugs are the things that may cause ulcers.
- Underlying Health Conditions: Mouth ulcers could be caused by chronic conditions like Crohn's disease and celiac disease.
Symptoms of Mouth Ulcers
- Pain and discomfort, especially when eating, drinking, or talking.
- A burning or tingling sensation before the ulcer appears.
- Swelling and redness around the soreness.
- In some cases, especially if the condition is severe, other symptoms such as fever and swollen lymph nodes might occur.