Mouth Ulcers (also known as canker sores) are sores in
the mouth which appear on the soft tissues inside the mouth, most commonly in young adults aged 15 - 25
and affect
women more than men. They are similar in appearance to
pimples or cold sores, but they are generally
yellow or gray in color and vary in size.
This very common affliction will often heal without any medication, however the
more troublesome form is when they reoccur regularly and this is termed
'aphthous stomatitis' or "Sutton's Disease" which is a very common
oral condition affecting as much as 10% of the population and women are more
often affected than men.
The initial symptoms are generally localised; a tingling or burning sensation
followed by soreness and difficulty chewing, but may also include mild
fever, pain when brushing and swelling around the ulcer. They may then progress
to form a red spot or bump, followed by a blister which may burst to leave an
open ulcer. The ulcer is often extremely painful, especially when
agitated and may be accompanied by swelling of the lymph nodes below the
jaw, which can be mistaken for toothache, however these ulcers are not
considered to be contagious.
Causes
Mouth Ulcers are not caused by any infectious agent (viruses
or bacteria), rather they are believed to be caused or affected by:
Immune deficiency
A weak constitution
Stress
Sodium lauryl sulfate - a foaming agent found in many toothpastes
Tryclosan - an antibacterial product found in toothpaste that can kill off
the healthy bacteria in the mouth
Gingivostomatitis
Herpes simplex
Leukoplakia
Oral cancer
Oral lichen planus
Oral thrush
Prevention and Cure
Of all the research we have reviewed on this subject, there has been no mention
of aerobic exercise and we feel that ulceration is a reflection of stagnation.
That is that energy or toxins are accumulating in the body and not being flushed
out. So we see aerobic exercise combined with drinking plenty of water as being
a priority in both prevention and cure.
Treatments
Saline mouthwash
this is the first thing to try - add a tea spoon of salt to a glass of
water and rinse 2 or 3 times daily (after eating and tooth brushing
Use a cotton bud to apply a mild antiseptic from your chemist or
pharmacy
Use a cotton bud to apply a natural herbal antiseptic such as
tree tree oil or
lavender oil or use a mouth wash
made from water soluble herbal oils.
In severe cases a short course of systemic steroids may be prescribed
by your doctor.
Other methods to prevent mouth ulcers include:
Practicing good oral hygiene, including regular mouthwash, tooth brushing and flossing
Eating a balanced diet
Reducing sweets and sugar consumption
Avoiding food and drinks that are too hot
Avoiding acidic, spicy, or very hot food
Avoiding foods and substances that trigger allergic reactions
Effective stress management
Practicing safe sex to avoid sexually transmitted diseases
Seeking prompt treatment for dental problems
If you smoke, Quit!
Vitamin Supplements
Vitamin supplementation can help to strengthen your immune system and make your
body more resistant to infection
Vitamin A to help your body fight infection and strengthen mucous
membranes
Vitamin B complex to stimulate cell growth and healing
Vitamin C to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing
Vitamin E oil can be applied direct to mouth ulcers to speed wound
healing
Recommended Minerals:
Iron is needed for the production of infection-fighting white blood
cells
Selenium is an antioxidant and enhances the effects of Vitamin E
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