Mouth sores are not harmful. These are only painful cuts in the mouth or gums. However, it can go away within two weeks without any medical treatment. This mouth problem has no definite cause yet. Also, there is a lot of possible mouth ulcer cause.
1. Minor Mouth Injury
Dental work and brushing your teeth very hard can cause bleeding and cuts in your mouth. Also, your participation in sports can increase your chances of getting canker sores. An example of a physical sport is boxing. In playing boxing, there are higher chances that you might get punched in the face. Your inner cheeks may hit your teeth very hard because of the punch. Also, it will make your inner cheeks bleed, causing you to have a canker sore. Hence, a mouth injury is not life-threatening, but it will make it hard for you to eat or talk.
2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
SLS is a cleaning agent present in your toothpaste or mouthwash. Using products that contain this chemical can irritate the mouth.
3. Acidic Foods
Your mouth can be sensitive to acidic foods. The most common example of these foods is citrus fruits. Likewise, citric acid is present in your oranges, lemon, and lime. Avoid always eating these fruits if you have sensitive gum.
4. Lack of Vitamins
Vitamins like B-12, zinc, folate, and iron make up a healthy mouth. If you do not have enough vitamins like B-12, you will have mouth ulcers. Above all, make sure to drink your vitamins.
5. Dental Braces
Braces can be a mouth ulcer cause because it leaves wounds and cuts inside your mouth. If the problem is getting worse because of your braces, visit your dentist right away.
6. Bacterial Infections
Bacteria and viruses can live in your mouth, especially if you do not have good oral hygiene. Therefore, to avoid bacteria and germs from spreading in your mouth, gargle every day.
These can be a sign of mouth cancer or other problems. Cancer can be life-threatening and needs treatment right away. Aside from cancer, here are other examples of a serious health problem:
- Gluten intolerance
- Swelling of your bowel
- Diabetes
- Bechet’s disease
- A problem in the function of your body’s defense system
After two weeks, the soreness will go away. But there are some treatments to lessen the pain you feel.
- Over the counter creams and gels
- Prescription mouthwashes
- Steroid medications
There are different types of cranker sore. It can be herpetiform ulceration, minor ulcers, and major ulcers. Also, herpetiform ulceration is a type of cranker sore that is the same as herpes. Hence, herpes is an infection from a virus that causes blisters to form around the mouth. Unlike herpes, HU is not from a virus, and it is not transferred from one person to another. Additionally, this type can happen again very fast. It can appear anywhere in your mouth, and it will take ten days for it to heal.
Signs of Major and Minor Ulcers
Minor ulcers can range from 2mm to 8mm in size. It usually takes up to two weeks for it to get better.
Major ulcers are bigger than minor ulcers. It penetrates deep into the tissues of your mouth, and it has no definite shape.
- Plenty of painful sores are in your cheeks, at the top of your mouth, or on your tongue.
- The round cuts have red edges and are yellow, white, or gray in the middle.
Prevention
Anyone can have it but you can protect yourself from having it.
- Watch what you eat
If you think acidic or spicy foods lead you to this mouth problem, avoid it.
- Eat healthy foods
Choose to change your eating habits. Therefore, your body will thank you in the long run.
- Have good oral hygiene
Clean your mouth every day. You can forget that bacteria are present in your mouth because you cannot see them. Therefore, always practice brushing your teeth from time to time.
- Dental wax
It is good to protect your inner cheeks from dental braces. You can ask your doctor for dental wax. Therefore, it can help in protecting you from the sharp edges of the braces.
Do activities that can lessen your stress. Also, allow yourself to enjoy and rest. You can practice meditation and yoga exercises.
When you get a sore most of the time, visit your doctor. But when you notice sores that are not painful and spreading, go to the hospital right away. Above all, it can be a sign that you have mouth cancer.