Hey Guys,
Today, I’m going to be talking about getting rid of mouth ulcers quickly and effectively and some steps you can take to prevent ulcers developing in your mouth and on your tongue.
What Are Mouth Ulcers?
Mouth Ulcer
Mouth ulcers (also known as canker sores, oral ulcers and aphthous ulcers) are round or oval sores that develop in the mouth usually on the inside of the cheeks or lips, the sides and tip of the tongue or underneath the tongue on the floor of the mouth (see picture).
They are usually white, yellow or gray in color and can appear inflamed around the edge and can cause pain and discomfort to the sufferer especially when eating.
They are usually white, yellow or gray in color and can appear inflamed around the edge and can cause pain and discomfort to the sufferer especially when eating.
Mouth ulcers are exceedingly common and almost everyone suffers from them at one time or another during their lifetime.
What Causes Mouth Ulcers?
Mouth ulcers usually develop when the tissue on the inside of the mouth is broken in some way. Typical methods of creating these abrasions include:
- Biting the inside of the mouth (accidentally and subconsciously)
- Consuming something that is too hot or too cold (ulcers caused hot tea and coffee are very common)
- Consuming hard, sharp, acidic or spicy foods
- Brushing teeth too hard
- Poorly-fitted dentures or dental braces
Mouth ulcers can also form if the subject is particularly stressed or anxious or is going through hormonal changes (such as adolescence or the menopause).
Although less common, it is also possible to get mouth ulcers from a bacterial, viral or fungal infection, however most ulcers are not caused by an infection so are not contagious.
Underlying illnesses such as Anemia, Crohn’s Disease and HIV can make the sufferer more vulnerable to getting mouth ulcers, however these types of ulcers are just a secondary symptom of the condition.
Quitting smoking has also been known to increase the risk of developing mouth ulcers although this is very short term (around a week after quitting).
How To Get Rid of Mouth Ulcers
Most mouth ulcers will heal without treatment within a week or two and won’t leave any scarring. Sometimes an ulcer will be particularly stubborn and last a few weeks or even a month before healing fully.
Your doctor will be able to offer you treatments such as an antimicrobial mouthwash (which will kill bacteria and viruses in your mouth), corticosteroids (which reduce the inflammation of the ulcer) and painkillers (to ease the pain).If you have had a mouth ulcer for over three weeks or it is particularly large and painful or looks an abnormal shape (not round or oval) you should visit your doctor for further advice. Also speak to your doctor if you are suffering from recurring ulcers in and around your mouth.
Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcers
If you feel you don’t need to visit a doctor or cannot visit your doctor for whatever reason, there are a number of home remedies you can use to get rid of mouth ulcers.
Rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash can prevent the ulcer becoming infected and speed up recovery times.
Drinking mulberry juice or tomato juice is said to ease the pain of mouth ulcers and aid recovery.
Baking soda / bicarbonate of soda can be made into a paste by adding a little water and applied to the mouth ulcer to help fast-track the healing process.
Saltwater made from a teaspoon of salt added to a glass of water, which is then swilled around the mouth can help get rid of mouth ulcers, too.
Prevention of Mouth Ulcers
To prevent mouth ulcers occurring in the first place, it is important to establish exactly what caused them.
If they were caused by biting the inside of your mouth, you will have to make a conscious effort to stop doing it. Keeping a bag of boiled sweets handy can help keep your mouth occupied if you are biting without realizing.
Watch what you eat and drink. Try to avoid excessively acidic or spicy foods and foods that are particularly hard or sharp. Also, make sure you wait for food and drink to cool a little before eating or drinking it.
Ensure you don’t brush your teeth or floss to hard as this can create an abrasion which can result in a mouth ulcer and if you wear dentures or a dental brace, ensure it has been fitted properly.
I hope this webpage has been useful to you and helps you get rid of your mouth ulcers.
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