Mouth ulcers are not usually anything to worry about, but occasionally, they can be very painful and make life a little trickier than usual. If you’re fed up of ulcers or you’re prone to developing mouth sores, here is a brief guide to help you cope:
About mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers are oral sores, which tend to form after the delicate skin inside the cheeks and lips has been damaged or broken. This may occur after an injury or in the event that you catch yourself when eating something, for example. It is very common to develop ulcers from time to time, but if you have recurrent ulcers, this may be a sign of underlying problems, such as tiredness, stress or increased susceptibility to illness.
Ulcers are open sores, which are most commonly found on the inside of the cheeks and lips; they are usually yellow or grey in colour and they should heal within 1-2 weeks.
Treating mouth ulcers
In the vast majority of cases, it’s not necessary to treat ulcers formally, but if an ulcer is causing you pain or interrupting your day to day life, it may be worth visiting your local pharmacy and buying over the counter treatment, such as pain-relieving gel. These gels help to speed up the healing process and reduce discomfort. You can also use some self-help techniques to ease pain, such as avoiding acidic flavours and sharp foods, such as crisps, rinsing your mouth out regularly and taking extra care when you brush your teeth.
Mouth ulcers can be a symptom of oral cancer and although this is rare, if you have ulcers or sores, which take a long time to heal, you notice red or white patches in your mouth or you have difficulty swallowing, it is advisable to see your dentist. Mouth ulcers are usually absolutely harmless, but it’s always best to get checked out.
If you are worried about an ulcer or you seem to be getting ulcers on a regular basis and you would like advice, our dental team will be happy to help.
We should all know our mouths and be able to detect any problems in order to seek treatment, echoed by a dentist in Leeds. But to hear the word cancer in a diagnosis can bring the world tumbling down around you. Almost 5000 people a year are treated for oral cancer and it’s on the increase. So it’s important to educate ourselves into the causes of this disease, for prevention is more preferable to cure and with modern advances in the treatment of cancer, it has become less of a taboo than it used to be, but only if it is detected in its early stages. Excess and over indulgences in the search of the good life can be some of the causes of bad oral hygiene. The combination of smoking and heavy drinking are the greatest enemies of the mouth. But cancer can develop from bad diet, over exposure to sun or UV light and a low immune system also contribute to the build up of the disease. Symptoms follow- ulcers that don’t heal, lumps in the mouth, bad breath and loose teeth. A dentist would be able to spot these problems, so it’s important to have regular check-ups. If there are any signs of cancer, diagnosis will be made after a biopsy. Depending on the level of the problem, radio/ biological therapy, chemo or physical surgery will be required to remove all the infected areas. This can be a very distressing period and the recovery from such a trauma requires delicacy and support. Your dentist will be able to recommend the best solutions in order for you to make a full and complete recovery.
