Why do I keep getting mouth ulcers?

Mouth ulcers are usually caused due to anxiety and stress in your life. Are you going through a bad phase in life? Do you have your exams going on or do you have any deadline moving closer for your project? Unfortunately, oral ulcers are very common and can occur for several reasons. But the good part is that common mouth ulcers do not last long and are preventable. If you want to know about the cause of frequent mouth ulcers and their treatment, then keep on reading this blog.

Why do I have a mouth ulcer?

Mouth ulcers can occur due to various reasons.

1. Trauma to a part of the mouth

Mouth ulcers are caused by trauma to a part of the mouth. This trauma can be due to:
a) Cuts caused due to any appliance in the mouth like dentures, ill-fitting braces, retainers, or night guard.
b) Injuries due to any broken tooth, sharp tooth edges, or tooth grinding
c) Burns from any excessive hot, spicy, or acidic foods.
d) Burns from stomach acid if you have acidic reflux
e) Lacerations from habitual chewing of pencil or pen

2. Compromised immune system

Mouth ulcers are caused due to infections in the mouth, so factors that compromise one’s immune system lead to ulcers in the oral cavity. Factors linked to a compromised immune system are-
a) Viral diseases such as chicken pox and cold sores
b) A poor diet deficient in iron, vitamin C, folic acid, or vitamin B12
c) Autoimmune diseases like HIV
d) Lack of sleep
e) Stress and anxiety- when you are stressed, the hormones produced by your body put you at high risk of mouth ulcers.
f) Excessive alcohol consumption
g) Smoking
h) Undiagnosed food intolerances
i) Crohn’s disease – a chronic infection that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system

3. Certain food and drinks that cause mouth

Hot, spicy, and acidic foods can cause oral ulcers. Scorching foods such as pizza can burn the oral tissues and cause oral ulcers. Similarly, foods such as chocolates, acidic fruits, peanuts, almonds, and strawberries are everyday items that can cause mouth Ulcers in susceptible individuals.

4. Medications can cause oral ulcers

Different medications can also cause oral ulcers. If the onset of your ulcers coincides with taking a new medication, then you should see your doctor for an alternative medicine.

5. oral cancer

A more serious cause of mouth ulcers is oral cancer. These ulcers are usually painless and they usually occur on the lower lip and the side of the tongue.

How to prevent Mouth Ulcers?

There are various things one can undertake to prevent oral ulcers:

a). Oral hygiene maintenance through brushing, flossing, and mouth rinse. One should remember to use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
b) Avoid foods that are hard, crispy, and over-crunchy as they can tear the soft tissues.
c) Drinking less fizzy drinks as they contain carbonic acid
d) Avoid spicy, sour, and acidic foods or drinks.
e) Drink a lot of water and stay hydrated.
f) Eating a healthy and balanced diet boosts your immune system.
g) Ensuring good quality sleep
h) Avoiding stressful situations
i) Improving the quality of life and general well-being through regular exercise
j) Avoiding smoking and cutting down on alcohol intake
k) Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
l) Visiting one’s dentist regularly to detect any underlying issues that may cause oral ulcers

How to cure frequently occurring mouth ulcers?

Oral ulcers should go away by themselves if they are not rubbed constantly. However, you want to go to them as soon as possible when they cause pain and interfere with eating. Here is how it can be done-

1) Ulcers will disappear faster if they are not irritated
Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth where you have an ulcer. Don’t play with your ulcer with your finger or tongue.
2) Use over-the-counter painkillers to decrease pain
You can use painkillers with anti-inflammatory effects like ibuprofen or aspirin, etc. Paracetamol is not an anti-inflammatory drug. The reduced pain will also decrease your desire to play with the ulcer. This should promote healing at a faster rate.
3) Rinse the ulcer with warm salty water
Warm saline water is a mild antiseptic. Rinsing two or three times a day will promote healing and stop it from getting any worse. Internet is with many other home remedies like black tea, lemon juice, etc. but these treatments have no scientific backing. There are various herbal products for oral care. if you want to know about these herbal products, then read more.
4) Apply antiseptic gel to the ulcers

It will help in reducing the pain.

My Mouth Ulcer Won’t Heal. What Should I Do?

Mouth ulcers are typically self-healing. In most cases, mouth ulcers should go away within 1-2 weeks. However, if a mouth ulcer does not go away even after 10 days, it is a cause for concern and indicates an underlying issue.
A non-healing ulcer in the mouth should never be taken lightly, and expert dental help should be sought as soon as possible. If your ulcer is of a bigger size (more than 2 cm) or you have more than three ulcers in your mouth then it is time to visit your dentist.
If your oral ulcer is very painful, then also it’s a dental emergency.
When you visit your dentist, they will perform a detailed clinical examination to assess the cause of the ulcers. Nevertheless, the sooner one sees their dentist for treatment in the case of non-healing ulcers, the higher the chances of complete healing and recovery.
The long-term management of recurring dental ulcers requires treatment by an experienced and qualified dentist. If you are looking for a dental clinic near me in Hisar to treat mouth ulcers, Shubham dental clinic is your best choice. We offer all dental services under one roof and at affordable rates.

Everyone deserves a beautiful smile, and if you believe that you also deserve a beautiful smile, then you must contact the dentist near you Dr. Rinku Mittal at Shubham dental clinic.