What Are Mouth Ulcers: Mouth ulcers are small, painful lesions that develop in the lining of your mouth. They’re usually caused by a bacteria called streptococcus mutans. A typical mouth ulcer looks like a pimple or a boil. Over the last couple of weeks, it may have become infected. If it’s infected, it may bleed, become infected, or release pus. Some mouth ulcers will become infected without doing much damage to the skin underneath. If the ulcer isn’t healing after six weeks, see a doctor. If it’s deep enough to see a clear dent, see a specialist. Mouth ulcers usually get better by themselves in one to two weeks. However, if you get a canker sore that is very painful, or that causes major discomfort and distracts you from being able to eat, talk, or drink, see your doctor.
What Causes Them?
Mouth ulcers are most commonly caused by: Eating food and drinking wine from the wrong or damaged teeth. Drinking too much tea or coffee, especially with caffeine. Chewing or eating too hard, which can tear the tissue and cause an infection. Not eating enough regularly. Sleeping on your side, which can make it difficult to drink and chew. Teeth grinding, which can loosen the gums and cause inflammation. A canker sore is a staph infection, which means bacteria is making a home in your mouth. The bacteria normally live on the surface of the skin. In the case of canker sores, the bacteria enters your mouth from the oral mucosa. Can You Stop Them? Canker sores usually go away on their own without treatment. However, they can last for several weeks, which can be uncomfortable.
How Are They Treated?
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria that is causing the ulcer. Surgical treatment may be necessary if the ulcer extends down your esophagus or to your stomach. This type of ulcer is usually treated with a type of barium swallow, in which a small capsule is placed down your throat to provide a visual assessment of the location of your ulcer. If your ulcer does not go away in a few weeks, or if it affects your ability to eat or drink, your doctor may consider taking you to an oral surgeon who can inject a corticosteroid into the lesion. This helps to reduce the inflammation and pain. Sugar and pain-relieving medications like aspirin and ibuprofen can be helpful in reducing the discomfort from mouth ulcers.
Conclusion
Mouth ulcers can be a minor nuisance, especially if you don’t have a condition that makes them more severe, like a chronic disease. However, you should see your dentist if your mouth ulcer is especially severe or if it’s a chronic condition. This will allow your dentist to examine and treat the ulcer.
Answer:
What Are Mouth Ulcers: Mouth ulcers are small, painful lesions that develop in the lining of your mouth. They’re usually caused by a bacteria called streptococcus mutans. A typical mouth ulcer looks like a pimple or a boil. Over the last couple of weeks, it may have become infected. If it’s infected, it may bleed, become infected, or release pus. Some mouth ulcers will become infected without doing much damage to the skin underneath. If the ulcer isn’t healing after six weeks, see a doctor. If it’s deep enough to see a clear dent, see a specialist. Mouth ulcers usually get better by themselves in one to two weeks. However, if you get a canker sore that is very painful, or that causes major discomfort and distracts you from being able to eat, talk, or drink, see your doctor.
What Causes Them?
Mouth ulcers are most commonly caused by: Eating food and drinking wine from the wrong or damaged teeth. Drinking too much tea or coffee, especially with caffeine. Chewing or eating too hard, which can tear the tissue and cause an infection. Not eating enough regularly. Sleeping on your side, which can make it difficult to drink and chew. Teeth grinding, which can loosen the gums and cause inflammation. A canker sore is a staph infection, which means bacteria is making a home in your mouth. The bacteria normally live on the surface of the skin. In the case of canker sores, the bacteria enters your mouth from the oral mucosa. Can You Stop Them? Canker sores usually go away on their own without treatment. However, they can last for several weeks, which can be uncomfortable.
How Are They Treated?
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria that is causing the ulcer. Surgical treatment may be necessary if the ulcer extends down your esophagus or to your stomach. This type of ulcer is usually treated with a type of barium swallow, in which a small capsule is placed down your throat to provide a visual assessment of the location of your ulcer. If your ulcer does not go away in a few weeks, or if it affects your ability to eat or drink, your doctor may consider taking you to an oral surgeon who can inject a corticosteroid into the lesion. This helps to reduce the inflammation and pain. Sugar and pain-relieving medications like aspirin and ibuprofen can be helpful in reducing the discomfort from mouth ulcers.
Conclusion
Mouth ulcers can be a minor nuisance, especially if you don’t have a condition that makes them more severe, like a chronic disease. However, you should see your dentist if your mouth ulcer is especially severe or if it’s a chronic condition. This will allow your dentist to examine and treat the ulcer.