People who have suffered with mouth ulcers know the discomfort and pain it can cause. Back of mind you feel gloomy constantly and eating becomes a struggle. Along with nutritional deficiency stress has a big role to play in these ulcers appearing inside the mouth along with malnutrition. However, the exact causes of mouth ulcers vary from person to person. Let’s discuss in detail.
What is a mouth ulcer?
These tiny ulcers can appear on the gums, lips, tongue, inside of the cheeks, or the palate. There are many factors that can cause them, such as small injuries, hormonal fluctuations, and emotional stress. Most mouth ulcers resolve on their own without treatment whereas some may need to seek treatment. Most mouth ulcers appear as red, yellow, or white sores, and you may experience one or multiple.
These sores are often painful and can make eating, drinking and speaking uncomfortable. Mouth ulcers are not contagious or transmitted infections, they don’t spread from kissing or sharing food and drinks.
Other symptoms could include:
Swelling around the ulcers.
Increased soreness when brushing your teeth.
Pain that worsens when eating spicy, salty or sour foods.
Types of mouth ulcers
There are many different types of mouth sores and lesions, however canker sores are common.
Canker sores. Causes include biting your cheek, acidic foods and even stress. Canker sores are usually white or yellow with red around the edges. They can be minor, major or herpetiform.
Oral lichen planus. Itchy rashes and lacelike, white lesions inside your mouth are symptoms of oral lichen planus. It is an immune system response.
Leukoplakia. White or gray patches inside the mouth. It develops because of excess cell growth. This is a chronic irritation due to smoking or chewing tobacco.
Erythroplakia. caused due to smoking or chewing tobacco. People with erythroplakia have red patches behind the lower front teeth or under the tongue.
Oral thrush. An overgrowth of yeast called Candida albicans causes this fungal infection inside your mouth. It generally occurs after antibiotic treatment or when your immune system isn’t as strong as should be.
Mouth cancer. Red or white mouth sores or ulcers might be symptoms of oral cancer lesions. These sores won’t heal on their own, one needs to consult a healthcare provider.
What causes mouth ulcers?
Mouth ulcers can have number of reasons starting from lifestyle issues to autoimmune reasons like;
Minor tissue injury from dental work, such as having a cavity filled
Accidentally biting your cheek or tongue
An allergic reaction to certain bacteria
Vitamin Deficiency, mostly B vitamins
Wearing braces or retainers
Using harsh toothpaste
Eating lots of acidic foods
Hormonal changes during your period.
Stress
Lack of sleep
Increased body temperature
Home remedies for Mouth Ulcer
1. Honey
Honey offers numerous health benefits and also can be used to treat mouth ulcers. An oral sore can also be soothed with organic honey. Apply honey to the ulcer area and leave it as it is. Repeat the application every few hours. Honey has the properties of antibacterial hence can help to fast heal any open wound.
2. Coconut Oil
Apply a small amount of coconut oil on the ulcer's surface and leave it on. You can also use it before going to bed at night. Coconut oil, like honey, contains antibacterial qualities that aid in the natural treatment of ulcers. It is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory therapy for mouth ulcers. It also aids with pain relief.
3. Saltwater
Gargle with saline warm water 8 to 10 times twice a day. The procedure relieves the pain and discomfort caused by the mouth ulcer. It also acts as an antiseptic.
4. Orange Juice
Oranges are high in Vitamin C, which can help prevent and treat mouth ulcers. Drinking two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice every day until the ulcer heals is an excellent treatment for mouth ulcers.
Studies have shown that Vitamin C deficiency can lead to mouth ulcers. Hence to combat you can take vitamin C supplements like Tuskca Vitamin C with Zinc.
5. Clove Oil
Clove is a key ingredient in one of India's most popular spice blends.Clove oil is beneficial to general oral health. This extract is used to treat a variety of ailments, including toothache and mouth ulcers. In the event of mouth ulcers, apply the oil directly to the ulcer using a little piece of cotton. Wait for the oil to absorb into the ulcer tissue.
6.Turmeric Powder
Turmeric is an antibacterial that is found in nearly all Indian recipes. Turmeric is excellent in reducing inflammation and pain caused by mouth ulcers in addition to fighting infections. The product also has antibacterial characteristics. Every morning and evening, apply turmeric paste to the ulcers. Allow it to stay for a few minutes and then thoroughly rinse it off. You should immediately notice a difference.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and mix it with half a cup of warm water. Put this solution in your mouth and swish it around. Continue to repeat for a minute or two. After completing the procedure, make sure to rinse your mouth completely with plain water. You can repeat this every morning and evening until the ulcer is healed.
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that will kill the germs which caused the ulcer in the first place. It will also speed up your recovery.
8. Vitamin and Minerals Supplements
Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals can cause a painful mouth ulcer. Deficiency of vitamin B12, iron, folic acid, or zinc can cause mouth ulcers. Taking supplements of B12, or Zinc may reduce the frequency of your mouth ulcers and boost your immune system.
Anyone can get mouth ulcers. However you need to know the cause of it and try the remedies accordingly. In case of severity and long stay you should consult a healthcare provider.