Oral ulcers are otherwise known as canker sores (or) Mouth ulcers. They are usually tiny, painful and they develop in the inner lips, tongue (or) roof of the mouth. An oral ulcer is likely to develop in a person with a history of oral ulcer in their family. Oral ulcers are unbearable and the condition may aggravate the consumption of food, improper dental hygiene.
The symptoms of mouth ulcers differ according to the type of ulcer. certain types of ulcers can also get healed within 1 week which do not need any complex medication or treatment. the various types of mouth ulcers are as follows:
Herpetiform ulcer:
The herpetiform ulcer has got its name as its sores are related to herpes. Herpetiform ulcers are recurrent and it has been found that there is no better cure. Herpetiform ulcers are a non-transmitted type of ulcer.
Symptoms: Herpetiform Ulcers are ulcers with sores that are unbearably painful. As we know a herpetiform ulcer is a recurrent type of ulcer where the infections are rapidly spread and the next batch of sores appear right after the previous one heals. Therefore this herpetiform oral ulcer is said to be an incurable type of ulcer. This type of oral ulcer is said to be most prevalent in women rather than in men and is especially said to be easily acquired among the senior population. Herpetiform ulcer takes up to two weeks to cure.
Minor ulcers:
Minor ulcers are a type of ulcer where the sores are 2mm to 8mm in size, which is not so big nor too small. The duration of this ulcer is usually two weeks with mild pain.
Major ulcers:
Major ulcers are the most severe among the other types of oral ulcers. The sores are said to have an uneven shape which may seep through the tissues and that paves a way for other ulcers. Major ulcers may take a longer duration of time to cure compared to other types of ulcers. In particular this type of ulcer leaves a mark (or) blemish which they heal.
Symptoms: Major and minor ulcers are extremely painful as they are anywhere on the mouth like under the tongue, on the roof of the mouth. These outbreaks appear to have a reddish border. These outbreaks may lead to rising temperature and inflammation (or) swelling of the affected area.
For some people, the sores might be extremely painful and that creates irritation around the affected area. If the sores disappear (or) heals after two weeks there is no specific treatment or medication needed.
If in case the sores do not disappear (or) heal even after the prevalence of over two weeks the oral physician might prescribe some medication to reduce the swelling around the affected area and to reduce the pain. They might also prescribe a mouthwash that prevents the sores from the further transmission and certain ointments to ease the pain.
Proper Oral Hygiene like brushing at least twice a day is highly important to prevent mouth ulcers.
Oral ulcers do not have a proper cure as it is a recurrent type of infection but there is a way by which we can prevent it (or) delay the onset of infection with a fewer number of sores which are not too severe. Prevention includes certain restrictions that are to be strictly followed like avoiding consumption of a certain type of food items that are prone to cause oral ulcers.
Avoiding certain medications that cause mouth ulcers only on consulting a dentist.
Smoking is said to be one of the reasons for mouth ulcers. Quitting smoking might help them prevent oral ulcers.
Most of the ulcers are recurrent. If in case you observe that the sores are not cured even after three weeks consult a dentist immediately as oral ulcers clear up within two weeks.
What Causes oral ulcer in the elderly:
Postmenopausal women are said to acquire oral ulcer as a result of a sudden fluctuation in the production of the hormone.
limiting the intake of acidic or highly spicy food items such as citrus fruits like lemon, orange.
Stress and depression is also a major cause of oral ulcer as they are related to hormones.
Certain medications also cause mouth ulcers due to drug-drug interaction (or ) drug-food interaction. Beta-blockers and certain group analgesics
Heredity also plays a major role in acquiring oral ulcers.
certain deficiencies also lead to oral ulcer-like vitamin B12, iron.
Majorly, poor oral hygiene is the main cause of oral ulcers.
Author: Team 60plus India
Keywords: oral ulcer, mouth ulcer, ulcer, herpetiform ulcer, major ulcer, minor ulcer, oral hygiene.
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