Safest Teeth Whiteners
The safest ways to whiten your teeth explained
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Mouth sores are a common condition that many people experience at some point in their life. They affect your ability to do the following:
Mouth sores, including canker sores (also called aphthous ulcers), are typically harmless and last just a week or two.1 However, mouth sores should not be ignored as they may indicate oral cancer or a viral infection, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV).2
Aphthous ulcers are round or oval, with a white or yellow center and a red border. They may develop on any of your mouth's soft tissues, including your:
You may also have mouth sores and inflammation in your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. A tingling or burning sensation may occur a day or two before the sores develop.
Here are the different types of mouth sores:
Canker sores, also called aphthous ulcers, develop within the oral cavity.3 They appear as small ulcers with a white, yellow, or gray center and a flat red border.
Severe canker sores may sometimes have a large diameter and a raised edge.
A canker sore typically starts as a red lump or patch. Before additional symptoms emerge, it may cause a tingling or burning sensation.
Canker sores are painful. Fortunately, most heal on their own within 7 to 10 days.
There is limited research on the exact cause of canker sores. However, scientists have linked the condition to genetics. Other triggers include:
Cold sores are painful, fluid-filled blisters that form in clusters (often called fever blisters). These sores typically appear on the border of the lips, called the vermilion border.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) produces infectious cold sores. HSV is spread by contact. For example, it is possible to contract HSV by kissing someone with a cold sore. Some people can feel ill for up to a week. But the majority of people with herpes do not become ill.
Once infected with herpes, the virus remains dormant in the body. Unfortunately, the virus reactivates in some people, causing cold sores to develop on the lips or other areas regularly.4
Several factors, including wind, sun, fever, or stress, can trigger a ‘flare-up.’ Cold sores often heal within a week.
Candidiasis, also known as oral thrush or moniliasis, is a yeast infection.5 It causes creamy white and red spots on the mouth's surfaces.
This condition may be painful. It can also cause foul breath and trouble eating and swallowing.
Candidiasis is most common in the very young, the elderly, and people with a weakened immune system (such as patients with diabetes or AIDS). It is also common among denture wearers.
Leukoplakia is a condition in which a white or gray patch develops on the mouth’s interior. It is caused by abnormal cell growth in the mouth lining. It typically appears under the tongue or on the inside of your cheeks.
Leukoplakia differs from other causes of white spots, such as thrush or lichen planus, in that it may progress to oral cancer.
Patches of leukoplakia appear gradually and heal over time.
Common causes of these mouth sores include:6
Sometimes, it is impossible to pinpoint the cause of the sores.
Leukoplakia is usually of no concern, although it does have the potential of becoming cancerous.
Erythroplakia is a red, velvety lesion that may appear anywhere in the mouth. It is most often found on the gum tissue behind the back teeth or the floor of the mouth.7
The cause is unclear, although it is most likely linked to smoking tobacco and alcohol consumption. Chronic inflammation and poor diet can also play a role.
Erythroplakia is less common than leukoplakia. However, biopsies reveal that most of these sores are precancerous or malignant.
White or red lesions, lumps, or ulcers in the mouth may all be signs of mouth cancer. It often starts small and painless, but it rapidly grows and spreads.
Most oral cancers are detected during routine medical checkups. The sores from oral cancer may appear on the lips, tongue, gum, or the roof of your mouth.
Contributing factors to oral cancer include smoking cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and alcoholic beverages. According to experts, 90 percent of all oral cancer cases are due to the use of tobacco products.8
Celiac disease is a digestive disorder that affects the small intestine. It occurs when gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains, damages the lining of your small intestine.
This can cause inflammation and damage to the villi (finger-like projections) on the surface of the small intestine. The villi absorb nutrients from food as it passes through the intestines.
Mouth sores are one of the most common symptoms of celiac disease. The symptoms can improve by adopting a gluten-free diet.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness that's common under 5 years old. It usually starts with a fever and rashes on the hands and feet. HFMD can also affect the mouth and tongue, causing mouth sores.
The virus that causes HFMD spreads easily between people who come into close contact with each other. These viruses include:
Mild symptoms of HFMD usually resolve within 7 to 10 days.
You can develop mouth sores from viral, fungal, and bacterial infections or oral cancer.
Other risk factors include:
Mouth sores usually produce redness and pain, particularly while eating and drinking. They may also make the area surrounding the sore feel hot or tingly.
It may be difficult to eat, drink, swallow, speak, or breathe, depending on the sores' size, intensity, and location. Blisters may also form on the sores.
Other symptoms associated with mouth sores, depending on the cause, may include:
Most mouth ulcers will go away without treatment. However, if your mouth ulcers are frequent and painful, there are various things you can do to manage the condition.
Either way, going to a healthcare provider or dentist will be the best decision to rule out any underlying issues.
When you see your doctor for mouth sores, they may prescribe a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory medicine, or steroid gel.
If your mouth sores are caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, your doctor may prescribe antivirals, antibiotics, or antifungals to treat the disease.
Some mouth sores may be treated with a low-powered laser, which provides instant pain relief and often prevents sores from recurring.
Chemically burning the sore with a tiny stick coated in silver nitrate may alleviate pain in a similar way, although it is not as effective as a laser.
Your doctor will order a biopsy for further examination if mouth cancer is suspected. If oral cancer is detected, he or she will prepare a treatment plan for you which may include surgery or chemotherapy.
Here are some home treatments for mouth ulcers:
If your mouth sores occur frequently, you may not know when it's the right time to see a doctor.
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following:
Here are some tips for preventing mouth sores:
Mouth sores are usually harmless but can become serious if left untreated. Many factors, including poor oral hygiene, trauma, and certain diseases, can cause them. If your mouth sores don't disappear within a few weeks, seek professional help immediately.
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