Aphthous Ulcers - Info on Aphthous Ulcers Symptom, Causes & Treatment

What is Aphthous Ulcers?

Aphthous ulcers are single or multiple ulcers of the inside of the mouth that tend to recur.The lesions may affect patients at any age although the peak occurrence is in young adults.The ulcers are shallow and are often accompanied by soreness and pain.The ulcers usually last one to two weeks.

Causes of Aphthous Ulcers

• Although there is no known cause for these lesions it is believed that certain foods, fever or mental stress may precede  the outbreak of these lesions.
• Aphthous ulcers are sometimes caused by iron deficiency.
• Aphthous ulcers may also be caused by a Vitamin-B deficiency.
• The detergents found in many types of toothpaste can cause aphthous ulcers in some individuals.  Conventional toothpaste contains irritating detergents (sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate), which have been shown to greatly increase the occurrence of mouth sores.

Symptoms of Aphthous Ulcers

Signs and symptoms of Aphthous Ulcers may include:

• Painful sore or sores inside your mouth - on your tongue, under your tongue (soft palate), inside your cheeks or lips, and at the base of your gums.
• Tingling or burning sensation prior to appearance of the sores
• Round, white sores with a red edge or halo

You also may experience the following signs or symptoms, though they may not be related to the canker sores:

• Fever
• Listlessness
• Swollen lymph nodes

Treatment of Aphthous Ulcers

Treatment is not necessary and your canker sore will heal on its own. Your doctor may suggest prescription medication if your sores are large, painful or persistent. To relieve the pain and irritation of canker sores, your doctor may recommend a prescription mouthwash, a corticosteroid salve or an anesthetic solution.

Prevention for Aphthous Ulcers

Aphthous ulcers can recur, but you may be able to reduce their frequency by addressing factors that seem to trigger canker sores:

• Avoid foods that seem to irritate your mouth. These may include acidic foods, nuts and certain spices.
• You could cause minor trauma to the delicate lining of your mouth, triggering a canker sore.
• Regular brushing after meals and flossing once a day can keep your mouth clean and free of foods that might trigger a sore. Using a soft brush may help you avoid irritation of mouth tissues.