Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers also known as aphthous ulcers are very common, are round, white, or grey in colour, with a red edge or border, oval shaped and often react to the tiniest facial movements, making eating, talking and even smiling painful.

Mouth ulcers can affect your cheeks, lips and tongue. They’re sensitive to the touch and often cause a sharp pain.

The exact cause of most mouth ulcers is unknown. The most frequents causes may be:

• Stress and anxiety
• Oral trauma, such as biting the inside of your mouth by accident
• Smoking, which can irritate the mouth and cause them
• A deficiency in vitamin B12 – this affects production of red blood cells, leading to ulcers
• An iron deficiency will have a similar effect
• Crohn’s disease, which causes inflammation of the gut, leading to ulcers in the mouth and the stomach
• Hormonal changes – it is not unusual for some women to develop ulcers during their period

Occasional mouth ulcers are usually harmless and clear up on their own.

Pain from a mouth ulcer generally lessens in a few days and the sores usually heal without treatment in about a week or two.

There is no cure for mouth ulcers, and they often reoccur, you may be able to reduce their frequency with good dental hygiene and by:

• Avoiding foods that irritate your mouth, including acidic or spicy foods and hard food.
• Avoiding irritation from gum chewing
• Brushing with a soft-bristled brush after meals and flossing daily

If stress is the cause, then adopting a less stressful lifestyle is advisable, and learning a few relaxation techniques can help.

If you have any concerns about mouth ulcers or other dental issues, make an appointment with our dentist at Muswell Hill Smile.