Mouth Sores
Mouth Sores
Do You Suffer From Mouth Sores, Swellings or Lesions?
Mouth, lip or tongue irritations can be annoying and painful. Mouth sores, swellings or lesions are very common; in fact, around one third of all people are affected at some point in their life by mouth sores. Mouth sores may be painful, unsightly and interfere with eating and talking.
If a mouth sore is present for longer than a week, you should have it examined. Dr Linc may recommend a biopsy; this can usually determine the cause, ruling out serious diseases.
Do You Suffer From Mouth Sores, Swellings or Lesions?
Dr Linc Shares the Most Common Mouth Sore Symptoms and What to Do About Them:
Mouth Ulcers are small, white swellings surrounded by a small area of redness. Mouth ulcers usually occur after minor trauma, such as biting your lip or cheek, eating sharp food or scraping your toothbrush on your gums. Treatment: heals usually after seven to ten days. Topical ointments may provide relief, as will rinsing with an antimicrobial mouth rinse.
Aphthous Ulcers are common and often recur. They can be small, larger or in a cluster. The exact cause is uncertain, but it is believed they could result from immune system problems, bacteria or viruses, stress, trauma, allergies, smoking, iron or vitamin deficiencies, and genetics. Treatment: heals usually after seven to ten days. Topical ointments may provide relief, as will rinsing with an antimicrobial mouth rinse.
Cold Sores are groups of painful, fluid-filled blisters found on your lips, under your nose or around your chin. Cold sores are normally caused by a type of herpes virus and are very contagious. Once infected, the virus stays in your body, causing recurrent attacks. Treatment: heals usually in about a week. Antiviral drugs may reduce the severity and length of outbreak.
Leukoplakia is found on your inner cheek, gums or tongue and is a thick white patch. It is often associated with smoking or smokeless tobacco use. Other causes include ill fitting dentures, broken teeth and constantly chewing on your cheek. Treatment: the cause of the disturbance should be removed. Smokers are encouraged to stop smoking, and people with ill fitting dentures should have them replaced. Dr Linc will monitor the area and your lesion at three to six month intervals, depending on its type, location and size.
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by yeast ‘candida albicans’. It appears as a creamy, yellow-white patch, and tissues under the patches are red and may be painful. It is known as Oral Thrush, most commonly found in people who wear dentures, those with a debilitating disease, or those whose immune system is not functioning properly. It is also common in newborns and people who have a Dry Mouth. Treatment: control the conditions that cause the outbreak. Good oral hygiene is essential. Denture care is important – a regular cleaning routine is imperative and removing your dentures at night can help. Dr Linc may recommend an anti-fungal medication.