| Canker Sores |
Shopping Ulcer |
Website Links For Mouth |
Information AboutCanker Sores |
A mouth Ulcer or '''canker sore''' is a painful open sore inside the mouth caused by a break in the Mucous Membrane . The condition is also called '''aphthous stomatitis''' or '''aphthous ulcer''', especially if there are multiple or recurring sores. SYMPTOMS Mouth ulcers often begin with a tingling or burning sensation at the site of the future sore. In a few days they often progress to form a red spot or bump, followed by an open ulcer. The mouth ulcer appears as a white or yellow oval with an inflamed red border. Sometimes a white circle or halo around the lesion can be observed. The grey, white, or yellow coloured area within the red boundary is due to the formation of layers of Fibrin , a protein involved in the clotting of blood. The ulcer, which itself is often extremely painful when agitated, may be accompanied by a painful swelling of the Lymph Node s below the jaw, which can be mistaken for Toothache . Mouth ulcers are classified according to the diameter of the lesion. ''Minor aphthous ulcers'', the most frequent type, are less than 10 mm in diameter and typically heal in 1-2 weeks without scarring. ''Major aphthous ulcers'' are greater than 10 mm in diameter and are incredibly painful. They usually take more than a month to heal and frequently leave a scar. ''Herpetiform ulcers'' are small, usually less than 1-2 mm in diameter, and form clusters. They typically heal in less than a month without scarring. {Link without Title} CAUSES The exact cause of mouth ulcers is unknown, but in some cases they are thought to be caused by an overreaction by the body's own immune system. Factors that appear to provoke them include Stress , fatigue, illness, injury from accidental biting, Hormonal changes, Menstruation , Food Allergies and deficiencies in Vitamin B12 , Iron and Folic Acid . Some drugs, e.g. Nicorandil , have been linked with mouth ulcers. Canker sores are thought to form when the body becomes aware of and attacks chemicals which it does not recognize. The presence of the unrecognized molecules garners a reaction by the lymphocytes, which trigger a reaction that causes the damage of a canker sore. Trauma to the mouth is a common cause of mouth ulcers. Physical trauma, such as toothbrush abrasion, poking with sharp food, accidental biting, or Dental Braces can cause mouth ulcers by breaking the mucous membrane. Other factors such as chemical irritants or thermal injury may also lead to the development of ulcers. In many cases, the precise cause is unknown. A common cause of ulcers is gluten intolerance, in which case consumption of wheat, rye or barley can result in chronic mouth ulcers. If gluten intolerance is the cause, prevention means taking most breads, pastas, cakes, pies, cookies, scones, biscuits, beers etc. out of the diet and substituting gluten-free varieties where available. Artificial sugars, such as those found in diet cola and sugarless gum have been reported as causes of mouth ulcers as well. Other disorders can cause mouth ulcers, including Oral Thrush , Leukoplakia , Gingivostomatitis and Oral Lichen Planus . Mouth ulcers are also associated with Ulcerative Colitis , Crohn's Disease , Coeliac Disease (gluten sensitivity), Bullous Pemphigoid , and Behçet's Disease . Repeat episodes of mouth ulcers can also be indicative of an Immunodeficiency , signalling low levels of immunoglobulin in the mucous membrane of the mouth. Chemotherapy is a common cause of mouth ulcers. The treatment depends on the cause. A common Urban Myth is that mouth ulcers are directly connected to the onset of the Herpes Simplex Virus , but in reality ulcers associated with herpes (or cold sores) are of an entirely different nature from mouth ulcers. Unlike cold sores, mouth ulcers are not contagious. HOME TREATMENT Mouth ulcers normally heal without treatment within seven to ten days. The best start is to make sure you have good oral hygiene and avoid spicy/acidic/salty foods and drinks as they may irritate existing ulcers. In addition, one can treat the pain with several pain-relieving gels like Anbesol , Bonjela , Campho-Phenique , Orabase B , or Kanka , available in drugstores. Some people claim that such gels also accelerate the healing of their sores. Additionally, holding moderatly-concentrated alcohol in the mouth over the area of the ulcer is widely purported to be an effective remedy, presumably because of alcohol's Diuretic effect (and, likewise, the more concentrated, the more diuretic), although there is no direct evidence to support this. Another useful remedy is to use a sticky balm named Dexaltin Oral Paste (Dexamethasone 1 mg/g). Triamcinolone Acetonide dental paste can be very effective - the steroid reduces the immune system's response in the area of the sore. It is available by prescription only. Use of a Hydrogen Peroxide antiseptic mouthwash can help to clean debris and bacteria that can accumulate in an ulcer, thus reducing complications associated with its presence. This treatment is widely available at pharmacies from companies such as Colgate , whose product is called Peroxyl. Recently, the Oral-B product Amosan has become an increasingly popular oral cleanser. A recent double-blind crossover study {Link without Title} has suggested that its use may prevent or retard the colonization and multiplication of anaerobic bacteria, such as those which are known to inhabit oral wounds. Other Home Remedies vary in efficacy. Certain techniques heal sores for some people, but there are no treatments with widespread medical support. Most seem to be based on an antiseptic (mild antibiotic), an antacid, or both. Antiseptic techniques suggested include the following:
Antacid techniques suggested include the following:
Combination therapies tell you to use the antiseptic first, and then the antacid, i.e., swab sores with hydrogen peroxide and then swab them with milk of magnesia. A good temporary remedy for the pain of the canker sore is to numb the affected area with ice. Although this may cause intense pain in the beginning, it is highly effective and lasts for about half an hour, depending on the number of ice cubes used and the time spent using said ice cubes. TREATMENT FOR SEVERE CASES Treatments based on Antibiotic s and Steroid s like Dexamethasone Elixir are reserved for severe cases, and should be used only under medical supervision. Tetracycline suspension is a common antibiotic prescribed for mouth ulcers. Some doctors may also prescribe a Local Anesthetic , such as Lidocaine , for cases of multiple or severe sores. If the ulcer does not heal within a week, a doctor or dentist may Cauterize it using a Silver Nitrate applicator or Laser . This procedure immediately burns off the sore, causing it to completely disappear within a few hours or two to three days. Some Dentists recommend a Sulphuric Acid solution for treating mouth ulcers, such as Debacterol . The miracle cures that are advertised should be viewed with skepticism. However, aqueous sulphuric acid products as listed above can provide significant pain relief, if not treating the underlying causes. PREVENTION In some cases, switching toothpastes can prevent mouth ulcers from occurring, with some being able to reduce the occurrence of ulcers by approximately 80%. Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (sometimes called sodium lauryl sulfate or simply SLS), a detergent found in most toothpastes, is thought to increase the incidence of mouth ulcers. Using toothpaste free of this compound has been found to help many people by reducing the amount and size of ulcers and in some cases, completely stopping them. A few individuals have noticed that switching to a toothpaste with baking soda prevented reoccurance of mouth ulcers. Many people have found that taking Lysine-L supplements can help to reduce the frequency of mouth ulcer appearances. Additionally, Zinc deficiency has been observed in people with recurrent mouth ulcers, and zinc supplementation decreased recurrence of the mouth ulcers {Link without Title} . Some people have reported that the frequency of mouth ulcer occurrences decreased greatly after a particularly large amalgam tooth filling was replaced by some other kind of dental restoration. However, the connection between amalgam fillings and mouth ulcers is not universally accepted, and such replacement can be costly. Dental Braces are a common physical trauma that can lead to aphthous ulcers and can be treated with wax to reduce abrasion of the Mucosa . Avoidance of other types of physical and chemical trauma will prevent some ulcers, but since such trauma is usually accidental, this type of prevention is not usually practical. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Chinese medicine points to one's diet or emotions as potential causes of such symptoms of 'heat in the mouth'. Greasy/fried foods or 'energetically hot' food (e.g. spicy food, alcohol) may also trigger mouth ulcers. Emotions such as anger, frustration, resentment, or stress can also impede the proper flow of one's energy and create 'heat' in the body, with such manifestations as canker sores, red eyes, sore throats, insomnia or constipation. EXTERNAL LINKS
|
|
|