Oh my, I have a mouth ulcer! Now I don't feel like eating anything spicy or drinking anything hot. Even when I speak, my words feel slurred and it hurts. You're familiar with this experience, right? Actually, almost all of us have had a mouth ulcer at some point in our lives. For some, this is a constant problem. So, is this something to worry about? Why does this happen? Let's talk about everything simply and clearly today.
Simply put, what are these mouth sores?
A mouth ulcer, or as we call it in English, a 'Mouth Ulcer' is a small sore that can develop anywhere inside your mouth. These can usually appear red, yellow, or white. Sometimes there can be just one, or several at once.
These sores can appear in these places in your mouth:
- In the gums
- Above or below the tongue
- The top of the mouth is flat.
- On the inside of the cheeks
- On the inside of the lips
These wounds are often painful, making it difficult to eat, drink, or even speak.
But here's something important you need to know. Mouth sores are not a sexually transmitted disease (STI). And they can't be spread by kissing someone, drinking from the same cup, or eating from the same plate. Most of the time, these sores heal on their own within a week or two without causing any harm. However, some types of mouth sores can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, so it's important to be aware of those as well.
How many types of mouth sores are there?
Yes, there are several types of mouth sores and spots. Let's look at the main types. Take a look at this table, and you will be able to understand them easily.
| Type of Ulcer | A simple description |
|---|---|
| Canker sores / Aphthous ulcers | This is the most common type among us. There is actually no specific reason for these to appear. They can be caused by things like biting your cheek, acidic foods, and stress. These are usually white or yellow in color, with a red border around them. |
| Oral lichen planus | This condition can cause white, web-like sores inside the mouth. Sometimes they itch. This is a response by the body's immune system. It is most common in women over 50. |
| Leukoplakia | This is when white or gray spots appear inside the mouth. This is caused by an increase in cell growth. It can be caused by things like smoking and eating betel nut. Most of the time, these are not cancerous conditions. |
| Erythroplakia | This is also a condition caused by smoking and eating betel nut. It appears as red spots. Unlike leukoplakia, these are more likely to be cancer or a pre-cancerous condition. |
| Oral thrush | This is a fungal infection. It is caused by an overgrowth of a type of yeast called Candida albicans. It is most common after taking antibiotics or when the immune system is weakened. It can appear as creamy white patches and a red color. |
| Mouth cancer | Red or white sores can also be a symptom of oral cancer. The special thing about this is that they do not heal on their own. If you have a sore in your mouth for more than 3 weeks, you should definitely see a doctor. |
What are the symptoms of a mouth ulcer?
It's not that difficult to spot a mouth ulcer. You can check for these by looking in a mirror. The main things to look for are:
- Redness around the wound.
- The middle part is white, yellow or gray.
In addition to these, you may feel things like:
- Swelling around the wound.
- Increased pain when brushing teeth.
- The pain worsens when eating spicy, salty, or sour foods.
Why do we get these mouth sores?
There is no single cause for mouth ulcers. There are many possible causes.
Normal, common causes
- Minor injuries inside the mouth: Minor injuries inside the mouth can occur during things like fillings or teeth cleaning.
- Accidentally biting your cheek or tongue: This is what we do unknowingly when we eat, right?
- An allergic reaction to certain bacteria.
- Because of braces or retainers placed on the teeth.
- Using harsh, abrasive toothpastes.
- Eat a lot of acidic foods: for example, things like oranges, pineapple, and strawberries.
- Hormonal changes: Especially in women, related to the menstrual cycle.
- Stress.
- Lack of sleep.
Due to other medical conditions
Sometimes, mouth sores can be a symptom of another underlying condition in the body. This often includes diseases related to the immune system.
- Vitamin deficiencies (especially B vitamins, iron, folate)
- Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections
- Crohn's disease
- Celiac disease
- Lupus
- Behçet's disease
Are mouth sores contagious? Can I infect someone else?
No. Not at all. This is where many people get confused. Mouth sores (especially canker sores) are not contagious.
However, mouth sores and cold sores/fever blisters are two different things.
- Canker sores: Occur inside the mouth. Not contagious.
- Cold sores: These appear on the lips or around the mouth. They are caused by a virus called herpes. They are very contagious. So if you have a cold sore, don't share things like towels or cups with others.
How do you treat mouth sores?
Most of the time, mouth sores don't require any special treatment and will heal on their own. However, there are things you can do to reduce the pain and help them heal faster.
Things you can do at home
- Drink plenty of water: It is important to prevent dehydration.
- Take care of your oral hygiene: Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and rinse your mouth several times a day. This will reduce pain and prevent infection.
- Avoid spicy and hot foods and drinks: Avoid eating spicy, sour, salty, and very hot foods until the wound heals.
- Pain-relieving gels: Some gels available at the pharmacy can help temporarily reduce pain. However, it's best to check with your doctor before using any medication.
Medical treatment
If the sores are severe or recurring, your doctor may prescribe treatments such as:
- Antiseptic mouth rinses or gels.
- Steroid ointments.
- In very severe cases, immunosuppressants.
When should we definitely see a doctor?
This is the most important part. While a common mouth sore is nothing to worry about, sometimes it can be a sign of something serious. So if you have any of the symptoms below, be sure to see a doctor.
| Pay special attention to these features | |
|---|---|
| Long-lasting injuries | If a mouth ulcer has not healed for more than three (3) weeks . |
| Always coming | If new wounds appear before old wounds heal. |
| Severe pain | If you have severe pain that cannot be controlled even with ordinary medication. |
| Unusually large wounds | If the wound is much larger than normal. |
| Painless wounds | In some serious cases, injuries may be painless. So don't ignore the fact that there is no pain. |
| Other symptoms | If there are other symptoms such as fever and diarrhea (vomiting) along with mouth sores. |
Remember, it's important to see a doctor about any mouth sores that last longer than three weeks. They could be an early sign of a more serious condition, such as oral cancer.
Take-Home Message
- Most mouth sores are harmless and heal on their own in a week or two.
- Mouth sores are not contagious, so don't be afraid to socialize with someone.
- Maintaining good oral health, eating a balanced diet, and reducing stress can reduce the risk of mouth ulcers.
- If your mouth sore lasts longer than 3 weeks, or if you have other serious symptoms (fever, severe pain), see your doctor immediately. Don't ignore it.
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