ORAL ULCERS
A mouth ulcer is the loss or erosion
of part of the delicate tissue that lines the inside of the mouth (mucous
membrane). Some of the causes include certain drugs, chemicals and infectious
diseases such as herpes or thrush. The most common cause is mechanical injury,
such as accidentally biting your cheek.
In most cases, mouth ulcers are harmless and resolve by themselves in a few
days without the need for medical treatment.
Symptoms vary and depend on the specific cause of the mouth ulcer. In general,
symptoms may include:
- Pain or discomfort in the mouth
- Swollen skin around the sores
- Problems with chewing or toothbrushing because of the
tenderness
- Irritation of the sores by salty, spicy or sour foods
Causes:
1.
SMOKING
Smoking which is the most common
cause for almost all the dental problems also accounts to be the main factor in
causing oral ulcer.
2.INFECTION
Oral ulcers are caused by bacterial,
fungal and viral infections.
Bacterial processes leading to
ulceration can be caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis(tuberculosis) and
Treponema pallidum (syphilis).Other bacterial flora like streptococi,
Neisseria, Actinomyces, spirochetes, and Bacteroides species can prolong the
ulcerative process.
Coccidioides immitis causing valley fever, Cryptococcus neoformans
causing cryptococcosis, are some of the fungal processes causing oral
ulceration.
Mouth ulcers are often caused by
protozoans like Entamoeba histolytica.
HIV creates immunodeficiencies which
allow opportunistic infections or neoplasms to proliferate
3. PHYSICAL INJURIES
- Accidental biting by sharp edge of a tooth
- Excessively salty food,and hot drinks
- Poorly fitting dentures or trauma from a toothbrush
These may injure the inner lining of
the mouth resulting in an ulcer.Healing of the ulcer depends on the removal of
source of injury.
4.CHEMICAL
INJURIES
Chemicals such as aspirin or alcohol
come in with the oral mucosa causes necrosis of the tissues resulting in the
formation of ulcer.
5.
DIET
Deficiencies of iron,vitamin
C(scurvy),vitamin B12,zinc can contribute to ulcer formation.
Citrus fruits like orange may
cause mouth ulcers.
6.IMMUNITY
Immune system:Aphthous ulcers as a common end product of many different
disease processes, each of which is mediated by the immune system.
Immunodeficiency:Low levels of immunoglobulins in the oral mucous membranes
causes mouth ulcers.
Oral ulcers are common in conditions
of immunodeficiency like chemotherapy and HIV.
Autoimmunity: Mucous membrane pemphigoid is an autoimmune reaction to
the oral epithelium causing ulceration of the oral mucosa.
7.
ALLERGENS
Allergens such as amalgam can cause
mouth ulcers.
Complications
- Spread of contagious disorders to other people
Treatment
Adequate oral hygiene is the
key point in treatment of oral ulcers.
Topical antihistamines,
antacids, corticosteroids, meant to soothe painful ulcers may be helpful, as
may be oral analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen and local
anesthetics,mouth rinses etc.
Avoid hot or spicy foods, which
often increase the pain of mouth ulcers.
Prevention