What is a mouth ulcer and is it the same thing as a canker sore?

Mouth ulcers are extremely painful for those who suffer from regular bouts of them. Mouth ulcers are sores in the mouth (they are also characterized by the term "open lesions"). There are a variety of reasons why one might get a mouth ulcer. Most of the time, the development of a mouth ulcer results from or is caused by any one of the following disorders: canker sores, Herpes simplex, Leukoplakia, oral cancer, oral lichen planus or oral thrush. You probably know mouth ulcers by the name of canker sore or mouth sore. Technically canker sores are a specific kind of mouth sore that are more common in young adults. However, the term canker sore and mouth ulcer are often used interchangeably.

Preventable causes of mouth ulcers

The cause of most mouth ulcers is unknown as most mouth ulcers are acquired and heal with minimal drama. However, it is widely agreed upon that accidental damage such as biting the tongue or cheek lining by mistake, eating foods that are too hot, or wearing badly-fitting dentures can be the most common producers of a mouth ulcer. It has been established that mouth ulcers are often the result of a worsening case of another type of mouth sore, but these progressive disorders are not the only causes to blame for mouth ulcers. Any type of damage to the lining of the mouth makes an individual susceptible to mouth ulcers. You can cause damage to the mouth by brushing to vigorously, suffering from an injury to the mouth, biting the inside of your mouth or having irritated contact between the inside of the mouth and a bracket used in orthodontia. Stress is another common cause related to mouth ulcers. Preventing stress though the use of a number of different techniques will not only help in the prevention of mouth ulcers, but it can also speed their recovery. Mouth ulcers till typically last between one and two weeks. Any mouth ulcer that lasts longer than 2 weeks might be the sign of a disease and the individual suffering from the mouth ulcer should seek medical attention.

Some scientists suggest a genetic link between frequent sufferers of mouth ulcers. Studies have shown that a select group of people, who suffer from frequent mouth ulcers, also suffer from a low iron level, folate or vitamin B12. Zinc deficiency, food hypersensitivity and general psychological stress, all of these are conditions that have a tie to one's family medical history. Along the same biological lines, some suggest that hormones might have an influence when it comes to the cause of mouth ulcers. Women sufferers of mouth ulcers found that mouth ulcers are more likely to occur right before their monthly menstruation period. Some people develop mouth ulcers after stopping smoking (usually a time of great stress due to the body's response of being deprived of an addictive substance).

How do you know that you have a mouth ulcer?

Mouth pains are many and chances are that you are just going to know that you are in pain or discomfort, not what specific type of mouth sore you have. Mouth ulcers look like open sores in the mouth, but visually it is difficult to distinguish them from the many other mouth disorders that exist. To know for sure that you have a mouth ulcer and not some other type of sore, your doctor will need to provide you with a diagnosis. This is done by looking at the sore, or testing the blood or the skin of the ulcer (performing a biopsy).

Achieving the goal: healing and prevention

The primary goal of treating mouth ulcers is to first give the patient relief from their pain symptoms. If the specific cause for the mouth sore is known, then it is easier to provide a specific treatment plan that is designed to address that specific problem. Topical antihistamines, antacids, corticosteroids, or other soothing preparations that are safe for oral use may be used by applying the product directly onto the ulcer. In some cases, gentle and thorough dental hygiene is enough to relieve symptoms. During the treatment of a mouth ulcer it is unwise to consume hot, spicy, acidic or salty foods as these can all increase the pain of mouth ulcers. The great majority of ulcers are benign, meaning that they will not lead to any serious disease or long term medical problems, so if you have a mouth ulcer do not let the terminology of this condition scare you. Very rarely will mouth ulcers develop into oral cancer especially if the individual with the mouth ulcers practices good oral hygiene. If you are doing all that you can to prevent mouth ulcers and still find that you suffer from them on a regular basis or that you have mouth ulcers that do not clear up in two weeks or less it is wisest to see your doctor just to be certain that there is no other underlying medical issue that needs to be treated.

Quick mouth ulcer facts

• Pain due to mouth ulcers is caused by the nerves just below the surface of the lining of the mouth becoming exposed.
• Usually those who suffer from regular mouth ulcers find that the problem starts in childhood or adolescence, and seems to get better as one ages into their 40s.
• Mouth ulcers typically come in crops or groups of one to five at a time.
• In rare cases some treatments for mouth ulcers will require the source or cause of the mouth ulcer to be removed or for the disease to be treated.
• For pain relief, creams, wafers, and pastilles for mouth ulcers are available at most drug stores. Dissolve a tablet of soluble (dispersible) paracetamol in water, and swirl it round your mouth before swallowing it. Buy a mouth ulcer liquid rinse or gel from a pharmacy. These contain an anesthetic. Many people find the rinse easier to use than a gel, especially if they have several ulcers at the same time, and the rinse forms a protective barrier over the ulcer as well as relieving pain, thus making eating more comfortable.
• Eating a healthy diet with a good intake of Vitamin B, C and zinc, avoiding very hot drinks and food, practicing good oral hygiene and receiving regular dental check-ups, and reducing stress are the best things that you can do to prevent mouth ulcers from forming.
• 1-2% of the population suffers from mouth ulcers repeatedly.
  

 Natural treatments for mouth ulcers

If you are nervous about the chemicals, creams and drugs that you might find to treat mouth ulcers and would rather try a remedy that you can whip up in your kitchen, the following is a list of just such natural treatments that may (or may not) work to lessen your symptoms.

• Rinsing the mouth with cool water or cool chamomile tea can provide soothing relief from mouth ulcers.
• Brush you teeth with backing soda, or apply backing soda on the ulcer.
• Mix cinnamon or salt with warm water and gurgle (do not swallow).
• Drink tomato juice, eat tomatoes or apply raw onion on the ulcer.  Some believe that these acidic foods will kill the toxins in the ulcer and speed recovery.

What a doctor or dentist can do to help

Dentists and doctors can both provide relief from painful symptoms due to mouth ulcers, but one doctor is the better choice over another one in specific situations.  For example, Dentists specialize in all types of oral conditions.  If something related to your teeth is the cause for your mouth ulcers (i.e. trauma from a sharp tooth, a brace or ill-fitting dentures), then a dentist is definitely the appropriate doctor to go and see.  Your family doctor is qualified to prescribe a corticosteroid paste (the best treatment for getting rid of ordinary mouth ulcers, also known as aphthous ulcers).  Doctors can also explore the possibility that your mouth ulcer may be part of several medical and skin conditions.  You should tell your doctor about your mouth ulcers as well as any other symptoms that you may notice on other parts of your body (symptoms that could be related to severe mouth ulcers include blistering or sore spots on other parts of the body).  Remember that a persistent ulcer that does not heal within a reasonable period of time could possibly be cancerous.  It is always better to error on the side of caution and see your doctor if you are unsure as to whether or not the mouth ulcer you have could be dangerous. 

Next time you get a mouth ulcer.

The next time that you get a mouth ulcer, hopefully you will be able to remember some simply remedies that you can try to make the healing time go by faster.  Do not underestimate the potential dangers of a mouth ulcer that refuses to heal and seek medical attention if you feel like you need help dealing with the discomfort or feel that there may be a more serious medical problem.