Mouth ulcers also known as canker sores — are normally small, painful lesions that develop in your mouth or at the base of your gums. They can make eating, drinking, and talking uncomfortable. A mouth ulcer is the loss or erosion of part of the delicate tissue that lines the inside of the mouth (mucous membrane). Eating highly acidic foods such as oranges, strawberries and tomatoes and nutritional deficiencies causes Mouth ulcers.
Causes of Mouth Ulcers:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Injury to the mouth may cause moth ulcer.
- High intake of acidic foods may cause mouth ulcers.
- Allergies or having certain food sensitivity may cause mouth ulcers.
- Deficiency of vitamins B12, zinc, folate (folic acid), or iron can cause mouth ulcers.
- Certain types of drugs may cause mouth ulcers.
- Oral cancer also causes mouth ulcers.
- Gastrointestinal tract diseases
- Smoking also causes mouth ulcers
- stress
- Hormones
- Immune system weakness
Symptoms of Mouth Ulcers:
- A burning, tingling, or prickling sensation.
- swollen skin
- Ulcers that are white, gray, or yellow in color, with a red border.
- Problems with chewing or tooth brushing.
- Loss of appetite.
Treatment for mouth ulcers:
- Avoiding spicy and sour foods until the ulcers heal.
- Drinking plenty of fluids.
- Regularly rinsing of mouth with slightly salted warm water.
- By keeping mouth clean.
- Can take pain-relieving medication.
- Apply antiseptic gel to treat ulcers.
- Using an alcohol-free mouthwash containing chlorhexidine gluconate.