Diagnosis and treatment of dental ulcers
Canker sores are painful sores that can appear in any area of โโthe mouth including the gums; causing great discomfort to those who suffer from them.
What are dental ulcers?
Mouth and throat ulcers are shallow, crater-shaped lesions that appear on the tongue, inside the lips, or on the cheeks.
They usually show a red and yellow color, which then often turns white due to dead cells in the mucosal tissue.
Without a doubt, they cause discomfort and a lot of pain; which makes chewing, speaking and tooth brushing difficult. Contrary to what you might think, canker sores are not contagious.
Symptoms of dental ulcers
In addition to the most obvious manifestations, mouth ulcers bring together a set of symptoms that affect the patient in many ways; this being a compelling reason to seek professional help as soon as possible.
Among other symptoms of dental ulcers, the following stand out:
Burning sensation
feverish picture
Swelling in the oral cavity
Pain and discomfort in the mouth
General discomfort
enlarged lymph nodes
Initially manifests as a lump, then transforms into an open ulcer
Diagnostic process of dental ulcers
First of all, when consulting with the oral health specialist, an exploratory examination is carried out inside the oral cavity to determine the possible cause of the appearance of the ulcer.
Then, if these lesions keep coming back, a series of tests will be ordered to find other possible causes, such as erythema multiforme, drug allergies, or herpes infection. If necessary, a biopsy sample may be taken for further analysis.
Treatment for dental ulcers
The treatment of dental ulcers can vary according to their origin and risk factors. Some of the most used options are the following:
Apply a steroid gel on the ulcer.
Wash the inside of the mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash that contains chlorhexidine gluconate.
Rub a medicine on the area that contains lidocaine to relieve pain.
Perform dental hygiene at least twice a day, and thus maintain a low rate of infectious microorganisms.
Avoid eating spicy or acidic foods, as they can cause pain.
In the same way, there are some home guidelines that we cannot ignore; between them:
Rinse the mouth with water and salt, at least 3 times a day.
Apply a solution of equal parts hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide) and water to the ulcer using a cotton swab. Then rinse your mouth with a small amount of milk of magnesia and repeat 3-4 times a day.
Rinse mouth with milk of magnesia and mix with allergy syrup (antihistamine). Try to hold it in your mouth for a minute before spitting it out.
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Causes of dental ulcers
Despite the existence of several risk factors, their causes remain undetermined. However, there are a number of factors associated with the presence of canker sores. Between them we have:
Aggressive dental cleaning.
Hormonal changes.
Emotional stress.
Taking a bite on the lip or cheek.
Wear orthodontic appliances.
Eating a diet deficient in vitamin B12, iron and folic acid.
Having burned your mouth with hot food or drinks.
Maintain habit of chewing tobacco.
Excessive sun exposure.
Weakness in the immune system.
On the other hand, the appearance of ulcers in the mouth and throat can also be related to some pathological disorders and diseases, including:
Cancer in the mouth
Bleeding disorders.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disorder).
How to prevent dental ulcers?
Although we have already mentioned how difficult it is to determine the origin of mouth ulcers, there are some care that we can include in our routine to maintain a healthier mouth.
Remember that we are your best choice when requesting help with this problem; however, we recommend you pay attention to the following recommendations:
If you've hurt yourself at mealtime, avoid talking while you're eating to prevent further injury to your mouth.
Take care of your oral hygiene with zeal.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid harsh brushing.
Use only toothpaste approved and certified by oral health professionals.
Periodically go to dental control.
Avoid eating fruits or acidic foods.
Eliminate, if possible, the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
Avoid consuming rough and sharp foods.
Maintain a balanced diet that contains vitamins B12, folic acid and iron.
If you are presenting ulcers in your mouth or want to know how to treat them in the future, come to our office and request advice on this or other topics of interest to you. Contact us.
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