Mouth ulcers are often seen as a trivial health issue by non-sufferers. However, a quick scan of the forum on the Family Health Guide UK website reveals that mouth ulcers can be debilitating, have a detrimental effect on general wellbeing, and impact on personal, social and working life.
Possible Causes of Mouth Ulcers - Painful Sores in the Mouth
Mouth ulcers are the result of a break in the mucous membrane. These open, white-coated sores may appear only from time to time or, at the extreme end of the scale, recur frequently or form in clusters that are intensely painful and interfere with normal activities of eating and speaking. Research outlined on Animated Teeth.com suggests that aphthous ulcers have a genetic link and that they occur more frequently in females than males.
Factors that may produce mouth ulcers include stress, fatigue and illness. Physical injuries such as biting the tongue or inner cheek or breaking the mucous membrane through vigorous tooth-brushing may result in ulcers in susceptible individuals. Mouth ulcers could occur subsequent to eating jagged foods e.g. crackers and crisps, or wearing dental braces. Hot, spicy, or acidic foods may also trigger ulcers in the mouth.
Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), used as a lathering agent in some toothpastes may cause mouth ulcers in certain individuals, while some studies have raised the possibility that mouth ulcers may be related to gluten intolerance or nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron and vitamin B1. Although vitamin C is important to include in the diet, 20%-24% of people who took part in a survey displayed on the "Mouth Ulcers" home page definitely thought that consuming citrus fruit or juices triggered their mouth ulcers.
Suggested Remedies and Treatments for Mouth Ulcers
Two people writing on the Family Health Guide forum confirmed that discontinuing the use of toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulphate had a beneficial effect in the reduction of mouth ulcers for them. Toothpaste without SLS may be purchased from health stores. Using oral mouthwashes and weak salt water solutions routinely or as pain relief worked for others, but not for all. Sucking on ice cubes, applying soothing gels or taking Paracetamol provided temporary pain relief for some respondents.
Iron and/or vitamin B and C supplements appeared to be beneficial for some sufferers. One writer recommended reducing the consumption of acidic foods. She found that switching to a bland diet of peeled pears, lettuce and boiled lentils controlled the progress of the ulcers which were “gone within a day or two. The control this gives me is worth the sacrifice.” Vegemite (™), a yeast extract used as a spread for sandwiches was an interesting recommendation on the forum.
If applied early enough (ulcers often announce their presence with a tingling sensation) hydrocortiside pastes will sometimes halt the development of the ulcer. The Family Health Guide recommends that the ulcer should be dried first and the paste dabbed on rather than rubbed in. It’s best to apply pastes before bedtime as their application can be messy, but they are effective in pain relief and healing.
Mouth ulcers will generally heal within 14 days but their occurrence, particularly if they recur frequently, is frustrating and debilitating for sufferers. Unfortunately there is no one cause or cure for mouth ulcers. Trialling the above recommendations, paying attention to oral hygiene, managing stress and eating a nutritious diet are practical tactics to find individual solutions. If the ulcer bleeds or persists longer than three weeks a professional health practitioner should be consulted.
Lyn Rasmussen - Lyn is a New Zealander who lives in the centre of New Zealand's Volcanic Wonderland. She has been recognised for her writing across ...
