The Greeks call them “aphthous ulcers”, the Americans “canker sores”, the Dutch “sprouts” and, in India, we name them “chhalas”. Quite clearly, mouth sores spare no one.
Terribly irritating, painful and repetitive, a mouth sore is an ulcer on the soft tissue inside your mouth — on the tongue, soft palate and inside the cheeks. Typically, you notice a burning sensation and a round whitish spot with a red edge or halo.
Types of mouth sores
There are two types of mouth sores: simple and complex. The former may appear three or four times a year and last 4 to 7 days.
The first occurrence is usually between the ages of 10 and 20, but it can occur in younger children as well. As a person reaches adulthood, the sores occur less frequently and may stop developing altogether. Women seem to get them more often than men, and they seem to run in families.
Complex canker sores are less common but much more of a problem. People with this condition may have sores 50 per cent of the time —as old sores heal, new ones appear.
What causes mouth sores?
Despite a great deal of research, the cause of mouth sores remains a mystery. Current thinking suggests that stress or tissue injury may cause the eruption of common mouth sores.
Some researchers think certain foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes and some nuts may complicate the problem. A minor injury, such as biting the inside of your mouth, may trigger a canker sore.
Some women may develop mouth sores as a part of the pre-menstrual syndrome. Stress appears to be a major player. Mouth sores are common during exam days and may follow a bout of illness or fever.
Simple Remedies
There is no cure for either simple or complex mouth sores. But the following remedies provide relief:
Soothe the sores. Apply boroglycerine using cotton buds. It will provide good relief. You may also use khalis desi ghee or butter oil.
Use ice. Ice will soothe the sores.
Use special lozenges. Your dentist or physician may recommend hydrocortisone lozenges to speed up the healing process.
For a severe attack, your doctor may also recommend a prescription mouthwash, a corticosteroid salve or an anaesthetic solution.
Take the sting out of food. Avoid abrasive, acidic or spicy foods.
Mouth rinses. Add half-a-teaspoon of table salt to a cup of lukewarm water and rinse your mouth.
Repeat every few hours. This may sting a bit. Bland mouth rinses also help to keep the ulcers clean. You may use diluted hydrogen peroxide to rinse.
Take vitamin pills. Use a multivitamin pill, one a day, to tide over the sores. The basis being vitamins could nullify the ill-effects of stress.
When to call the doctor
Contact your physician/dentist when you have:
*New high fever with mouth sores
*Spreading sores or signs of spreading infection
*Pain that is not controlled with home measures
*Sores that do not heal completely within a week
*Sharp tooth surfaces or dental appliances that are causing the sores.
*The author is Senior Specialist, Safdarjung Hospital and Professor, VM Medical College and a well-known health columnist
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