Mouth ulcers and how to deal with them
Mouth ulcers and how to deal with them
You eat something spicy and suddenly feel a burning sensation at a particular point in the mouth. Surprised? It might be an ulcer that came up in your mouth. Read on to find out how to deal with mouth ulcers.
Like the skin covers the body; the mouth cavity is also covered by a protective layer. When this layer is damaged, it leads to the formation of ulcers which then hurt.
Mouth ulcers - causes and how to handle them
Causes of mouth ulcers
Stress Infections Physical trauma Burns after eating something hot Severe vitamin deficiencies Certain autoimmune diseases The most common ulcers generally heal within 1 - 2 weeks and do not cause scarring.
What to do and what not to do when you have a mouth ulcer Do(s):
Use a medium to soft-bristled tooth brush Use mouthwash for oral hygiene if brushing becomes too painful ( only till ulcers are present) Drink lots of water Eat soft foods Apply some soothing gel
Don't(s):
Eat spicy or very salty foods Eat hard or crunchy food, such as chips Drink very hot drinks, like tea or coffee Consume acidic drinks, soda and alcohol Chew gum Certain over the counter medicines can also help relieving the pain.
Consult a dentist if your mouth ulcer:
Does not heal by itself in 2 weeks. Is recurrent and keeps coming back again. Increases in size. Becomes more painful and red (the ulcer could be infected). New ulcers show up at a different place.
Think you have got these signs? Know what’s wrong.
Mouth ulcers are usually harmless but a long-lasting, non- healing ulcer could sometimes be a sign of mouth cancer. So, it’s best to know.
