Mouth ulcers

Abnormal changes and changes that deviate from the healthy anatomy can develop in a wide variety of organs and tissues in the human body. This also applies to unpleasant ones Mouth ulcers.

What are mouth ulcers?

Mouth ulcers come in different forms. The mouth ulcers can be harmless in nature or become a serious disease.

A mouth ulcer is a health condition that medicine also calls it Ulcer referred to as. With an ulcer in the mouth, deep layers of the mucous membrane are attacked and the affected cell and tissue areas are damaged.

For this reason, mouth ulcers are quite easy to see. Some mouth ulcers can heal as a result of specific treatment, while other forms recur or leave drastic scars.

causes

As with other ulcers, in addition to impaired blood circulation, possible causes for mouth ulcers are triggers such as infections by viruses, bacteria or fungi, as well as tumors.

Mechanical effects such as pressure or friction as well as metabolic disorders or disturbed cell growth are possible causes for this.

The external influences that lead to the development of tumor-like ulcers in the mouth include excessive smoking and increased consumption of alcohol. Incorrectly fitting dentures and careless hygiene of the mouth can also cause an ulcer in the mouth.

So-called canker sores are very painful and can manifest themselves as ulcers in the mouth due to physical and psychological stress and a weakened immune system. Various additives in food can also cause mouth ulcers.

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Symptoms, ailments & signs

Mouth ulcers are primarily noticeable as small, sore spots in the mouth. These areas are usually swollen and painful to the touch. The ulcers themselves are reddish or white, with a dark red border, and a few millimeters to a few centimeters in size. They occur individually or in groups of several canker sores, with serious underlying diseases large parts of the oral cavity are affected.

In individual cases bleeding or inflammation occurs. Itching and burning are also typical symptoms of ulcers. Those affected find the canker sores extremely uncomfortable and often have problems eating or speaking. Ulcers appear on the gums, the inside of the cheeks, or the inside of the lips.

They usually develop overnight and resolve on their own after a few days to weeks. In severe cases, the growths can affect the strength of gums and teeth. This can lead to damage to teeth and gums and, in the worst case, to the loss of one or more teeth. If the person concerned wears braces or dentures, painful ingrowths can occur. Displacements and damage to the jawbone cannot be ruled out.

Diagnosis & course

Mouth ulcers are first noticeable because they are painful and cause a discomfort to the tongue. Some mouth ulcers can also give off unpleasant smelling secretions that can be perceived as bad breath.

In the case of ulcers in the mouth, the severity of the abnormalities can impede speaking and eating. A medical examination will make reliable diagnoses even if the smallest ulcers appear in the mouth. As a rule, the specialist scans the affected regions and examines them.

In order to obtain a correspondingly meaningful result, microscopic examinations in the laboratory are requested. A smear is taken for this purpose. In the case of an ulcer in the mouth with suspected oral cancer, a sample of the tissue is useful. Doing various blood tests for an ulcer in the mouth can also help.

Complications

Mouth ulcers are inflammations of the lining of the mouth that can cause various complications. Affected people who suffer from an ulcer in the mouth should therefore consult a doctor early on. Only through timely treatment can serious consequences be avoided. An ulcer causes severe pain and also makes it difficult to eat.

Such an ulcer in the mouth is usually due to poor oral hygiene. So if you already suffer from an ulcer in the mouth and want to avoid further complications, you should observe strict oral hygiene. If the affected person notices an enlargement of the ulcer within a short time, then a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Rapid improvement can only be achieved through appropriate medication that effectively relieves the inflammation. An ulcer in the mouth may also develop into an abscess. An abscess is a cavity that is filled with pus fluid. Such an abscess should always be treated by a professional.

Anyone who refrains from medical treatment at this point is running a great risk. An abscess can build up internal pressure so that the bacteria in it can enter the bloodstream. In such a case, there is even a risk of dangerous blood poisoning. If you want to avoid this, you shouldn't wait too long before visiting the doctor.

When should you go to the doctor?

If unusual growths develop in the mouth, a doctor should always be consulted. If there is pain, open wounds or an uncomfortable feeling of tightness in the mouth, a doctor is needed. If the affected person wears a fixed or flexible denture, it is advisable to see the irregularity to a doctor in order to clarify and prevent further complications.

If there is bleeding from the gums or tongue, medical treatment is necessary. A doctor should also be consulted in the event of a general feeling of illness, inner restlessness, irritability or complaints such as malaise or increased body temperature. If the mouth ulcers spread or increase in size, a doctor will be needed. If the changes in the mouth lead to complications with daily mouth cleaning, a check-up visit should be made to a doctor.

If a headache occurs, a feeling of pressure in the mouth is perceived or if the teeth are shifted, a doctor must be consulted. A doctor's visit is required if the sound production is impaired or if food is refused. The person concerned is threatened with an eating disorder and an undersupply of the organism, which has far-reaching consequences. If you have an unusual bad breath, pus formation in the mouth or a strange taste in the mouth, consult a doctor to clarify the symptoms and treat the cause.

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Treatment & Therapy

The treatment of mouth ulcers always depends on the results of the diagnostic tests and can be more or less extensive. Holistic therapy may be needed for some forms of mouth ulcer.

This is common with syphilis or leukemia, for example. If it is a fungal infection of the oral mucosa that leads to mouth ulcers due to thrush, various therapies can be considered. If mouth ulcers are found to have resulted from mechanical irritation, the foreign bodies or teeth should be thoroughly examined and the cause removed.

The physical triggers for the formation of ulcers in the mouth are eliminated and healing can occur. A variety of mouth ulcers can also be caused by medication or a reduced immune system. If you have diabetes mellitus, it is advisable to avoid mouth ulcers by ensuring that your blood sugar levels are optimally controlled.

This is the only way to prevent circulatory disorders that lead to mouth ulcers. For some ulcers in the mouth, medically sound oral care with special rinses can help improve the chances of recovery. Often, mouth ulcers are the cause of chronic digestive disorders.

Outlook & forecast

In the case of an ulcer in the mouth, the doctor also speaks of oral cancer. The prognosis for an ulcer in the mouth is not very good. Only 50 to 60 percent of those affected survive this disease. The explicit prognosis depends heavily on when the mouth ulcer is recognized or diagnosed. If the cancer is detected in the early stages, appropriate treatment can be initiated with the right medication. For this reason, a doctor should be consulted even with the smallest changes in the oral cavity.

If this clinical picture remains completely without medical treatment, then there is an acute danger to life. The cancer forms metastases that can spread throughout the mouth. The chance of survival drops considerably in such a case, so that it is only 10 to 20 percent. For this reason, medical and drug treatment is essential for an ulcer in the mouth.

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prevention

Almost everyone has had mouth ulcers from a painful viral infection or other causes. Adequate oral hygiene should be given as a preventive measure to avoid mouth ulcers. In addition, general health care will also help prevent mouth ulcers from occurring. This also includes the treatment of previous causal diseases.

Aftercare

Mouth ulcers should primarily be examined and treated by a doctor. Only with early detection and subsequent treatment of these complaints can further complications be avoided. The measures or options for aftercare depend very much on the success of the treatment and also on the cause of the mouth ulcers.

As a rule, regular examinations should be carried out by the doctor even after a successful examination and removal of the mouth ulcers in order to detect and remove new ulcers early. In most cases, the ulcers are removed with the help of a surgical procedure. Afterwards, the person concerned should recover and take care of his body.

Exertion or physical activity should be avoided in order not to slow down healing. In many cases, increased standards of oral hygiene may also be necessary to completely remove mouth ulcers. It is advisable to seek advice from a dentist on how to properly remove and treat the mouth ulcers. It cannot generally be predicted whether the disease will lead to a reduced life expectancy for the person affected.

You can do that yourself

In the case of recurring ulcers in the mouth - in addition to self-treatment - the cause of the occurrence of these tissue changes should be examined by a specialist.

The treatment can be supported very well by self-implementable measures. It is important to achieve an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and decongestant effect. This can be done by rinsing the mouth every day.

Ready-made mouthwashes are available from pharmacies and drugstores. You can also make your own solutions with plant extracts. Nature offers a variety of medicinal plants. These include primarily: chamomile, sage, nettle or mallow. These are available as tea or powder. Dabbing with pure lemon juice is also recommended.

Since ulcers in the mouth are mostly associated with damaged intestinal flora - they often occur after virus infections or fungal infections - the intestines must also be cleaned. With finished preparations - for example made from beetroot and psyllium husks - the intestine can be cleaned and then rebuilt with healthy intestinal bacteria by taking probiotics.

The use of coconut oil has proven effective against fungal infestation - which is also evident in the mouth through tongue coatings. Traditional oil pulling with this or any other virgin oil can speed up the healing process. Basically, good oral hygiene should be observed. This can prevent a new ulcer.