Nutrition : January 2017

Mouth ulcers are painful and sometimes embarrassing. Adults between the age of 25 to 35 suffer from this condition. The pain is caused by the nerves just below the surface of the lining of the mouth becoming exposed. They often seem to start by themselves as a small bubble or blister, which then become an open and ulcerated pit or crevasse. Alternatively, they can be started by trauma to the lining of the mouth.

CAUSE :

Mouth ulcers can also be triggered by a number of factors, such as emotional pain or stress, fatigue, physical injury to the mouth( often by biting the cheek or from dental work), and dietary deficiencies (lack of Vitamin B12, iron and folic acid).

Severe ulcers cause sufferers to actively avoid eating, drinking, talking. Speech is painful, resulting in a loss of clarity. There can be high fever too.

Trauma or Damage Related Mouth Ulcers :

Damage to the mouth lining is very common, especially from brushing the teeth too vigorously or from orthodontic braces or biting the inside of the theeth.

Stress -Related Mouth Ulcers or Aphthous Ulcers :

Most common in teenagers, these will heal within a couple of weeks. Theses can be prevented by resolving stress-related problems or using stress-busting relaxation strategies.

Disease-Related Mouth ulcers :

Mouth ulcers can have symptoms of herpes infection, sex-related infection (canker sores), inflammatory bowel disease, leukoplakia, gingivostomatitis, oral cancer, herpes simplex, oral thrush, and immune disorders. If they are symptom of a disease, they are usually accompanied by others symptoms in the body, but not always.

TREATMENT :

Some treatments require the source or cause of the mouth ulcer.

Creams, wafers, pastilles.
Cooling Mouth rinses or cold water.
Cool chamomile Tea. Swill it in your mouth then swallow.
If they do not heal within two or three weeks, it could be a sign of disease that needs medical attention and treatment.

PREVENTION :

Mouth ulcer are vulnerable to infection by bacteria in the mouth, so keep your mouth clean and fresh by gargling with an antibacterial mouthwash or salt water.
Avoid toothpaste and mouthwashes with a powerful anti-microbial action. Also, avoid toothpaste with harsh detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate.
Brushing and Flossing twice daily will reduce the chances of an infection. Brush gently so you do not further aggravate the mouth ulcers.
Avoid hot and spicy food as these will sting the affected areas.
Eat a healthy diet. Good intake of Vitamin B, C and Zinc.
Reduce Stress.

My Oral Care List