Do you also get frequent mouth sores? Let's talk about these (Aphthous Ulcers)!

Have you ever had a small but very painful sore inside your mouth, whether it's inside your cheeks, inside your lips, or under your tongue? Sometimes when you go to eat or drink, it hurts so much that you can't even brush your teeth, right? Many of us have had this experience. So today we are going to talk about this annoying condition called `(Aphthous Ulcers)` in medical terms, and some also call it `(Canker Sores)`. There is nothing to worry about, let's talk about this in detail.

So, what exactly are these mouth sores (Aphthous Ulcers)?

Simply put, these `(Aphthous Ulcers)` are small, painful sores that form inside our mouths, that is, on the inside of the cheeks, on the inside of the lips, in the area around the gums, on the tongue or under the tongue . These make it very difficult not only to eat and drink, but sometimes even to talk. Even brushing your teeth can cause unbearable pain. These sores can appear as one or sometimes as a cluster.

These should not be confused with "cold sores", right?

This is something that many people get confused about. Aphthous Ulcers are completely different from "Cold Sores" or "Fever Blisters" that appear around the lips, under the nose, and sometimes on the chin.

The most important thing is that cold sores are caused by the `(Herpes Simplex Virus)`, which means they can be transmitted from one person to another . However, the sores that form inside the mouth, called `(Aphthous Ulcers),` are not contagious at all . So if you have these sores, you don't need to worry about infecting others.

Cold sores usually occur outside the mouth, on the skin around the lips. However, aphthous ulcers occur in the soft tissues inside the mouth . It is important to understand this difference.

How do we recognize this mouth ulcer? What are the symptoms?

If you have an aphthous ulcer, look out for these symptoms:

• These lesions are usually seen in a circular shape .
• The center of the wound looks white or light yellow , as if covered with a small film.
• There is a small bright red 'ring' around the wound. Some people also call this a "red halo."
• Most of the time, these are small, about the size of half a pea (6 millimeters, or about a quarter of an inch), and not very deep. However, rarely, larger, deeper wounds can occur.
• Sometimes, before the sore appears, you may feel a slight burning, tingling, or numbness in the area. The sore appears after a day or two.
• These lesions can occur alone, or they can occur in small clusters, forming several clusters.

If these symptoms are present, it is most likely an ``Aphthous Ulcer''.

How long does it usually take for these wounds to heal?

The good news is that these sores, called ``Aphthous Ulcers'' , are usually not serious and will heal on their own within a week or two . However, they can be a little painful until they heal.

• The pain is usually the most intense in the first three to four days . Eating and talking are the hardest.
• Then, little by little, the pain subsides, the wound shrinks, and it begins to heal.
• Most of the time, these small wounds heal without leaving any scars . However, if the wound is very large and deep, a small scar may sometimes remain.

Why do we often get these mouth sores (Aphthous Ulcers)? Do you know what the causes are?

It is difficult to pinpoint a single cause for this. Often, these injuries are caused by a combination of factors. Some of the main causes are:

• Minor injuries inside the mouth: Imagine you accidentally hit the inside of your cheek while eating, or your toothbrush hit you hard while brushing your teeth, or you burned your mouth after eating something hot. These can all be caused by minor accidents.
• Stress : Don't be surprised, stress affects our bodies more than we think. These injuries can also be caused by things like overwork, exam pressure, and problems at the office.
• Certain foods: Some people may get these sores after eating chocolate, coffee, strawberries, cheese, nuts, spicy foods, tomatoes, and citrus fruits (like oranges and lemons). These are not for everyone, but only for some people.
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies: These lesions can occur more frequently when the body is deficient in nutrients, especially vitamin B12 , zinc , folate, and iron .
• Ingredients in toothpaste: Some toothpastes and mouthwashes contain a foaming chemical called `(Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - SLS). Some people who are sensitive to this `(SLS)` can also cause mouth sores .
• Hormonal changes: These lesions can sometimes occur due to hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle in women.
• Hereditary factors: If someone in your family has frequent mouth ulcers, you have a slight chance of developing them too. This means there may be a genetic influence.
• Some diseases:Very rarely, these mouth sores can also be a symptom of digestive tract conditions such as Crohn's disease and Celiac disease. They can also be seen in some cases where the immune system is weakened.

What can you do at home to treat a mouth ulcer?

There are some simple things you can do at home to reduce the pain and speed up the healing of a mouth ulcer:

• Rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water: This is the most effective thing that many people do. Dissolve about a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and rinse your mouth three to four times a day. This will clean the wound and reduce the pain.
• Avoid foods that irritate the wound: Spicy, sour, crunchy, and crispy foods (e.g., biscuits, chips) can irritate the wound further. So, stay away from these foods until the wound heals.
• Gels available at pharmacies: There are gels available at pharmacies that can reduce pain and provide a protective covering for the wound. However, it is best to ask a pharmacist or doctor.
• Apply some honey (a natural treatment): Some people say that applying a little pure honey to the wound can help reduce pain and speed up healing.
• Use a soft toothbrush: When brushing your teeth while you have a sore, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Do not brush over the sore.
• Drink plenty of water: Keeping the body hydrated is good for everything.

Remember, these are temporary relief measures. If the injury is recurring or serious, it is important to see a doctor.

When should we see a doctor about these mouth sores?

Although these mouth sores (Aphthous Ulcers) are usually not serious, there are some cases where we should definitely see a doctor. Such cases are:

• If the wounds are very large: If there are wounds that are larger than normal (larger than a centimeter).
• If you have frequent sores: If one heals before another one appears, or if they occur several times a month.
• If the wound has not healed for more than two or three weeks.
• If the pain is unbearable: If the pain cannot be controlled even with home care.
• If it is too difficult to eat or drink: This can lead to dehydration and weight loss.
• If there is a fever along with mouth sores.
• If, in addition to mouth sores, you also have sores in your eyes or genitals (this could be a sign of another condition, such as Behcet's disease).

In a situation like this, it's very important to see a doctor for advice. They'll then check if there's another cause and what treatment is needed.

What can we do to prevent these mouth sores from recurring?

Although it is not possible to completely stop these mouth sores, there are a few things we can try to reduce the frequency of these mouth sores (Aphthous Ulcers):

• Maintain good oral hygiene: Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day and use dental floss to clean between your teeth.
• Identify and avoid foods that irritate you: If you find that certain foods cause you to get sores, reduce them as much as possible.
• Manage stress: Try to relax your mind through things like yoga, meditation, and exercise.
• Eat a balanced diet: Include vegetables, fruits, and herbs rich in vitamins and minerals in your diet. If necessary, you can also ask a doctor to take a ``multivitamin``.
• Be careful not to injure yourself inside your mouth: eat slowly when eating, and brush your teeth gently when brushing.

So, let's remember what we talked about, shall we? (Take-Home Message)

You now know that although these sores called `(Aphthous Ulcers)` that form inside the mouth are a bit painful and annoying, most of the time they are not a serious condition . They are not contagious . They usually heal on their own within a week or two. You can also reduce the pain with simple home remedies. However, if the sores are very large, if they occur frequently, if they take a long time to heal, or if they are accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, do not forget to see a doctor . Taking care of your oral health, eating a balanced diet, and reducing stress can also help reduce the recurrence of these sores. So, it is very important to be aware of this!

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` Mouth Sores, Aphthous Ulcers, Canker Sores, Oral Health, Painful Sores, Mouth Diseases, Sinhala medical article