Mouth ulcers (canker sores) are sores in the mouth.
- They can vary in size from a diameter of 2mm to 3mm.
- They can occur on their own individually or as a group.
- They can occur as a ‘one off’ or regularly.
- Pain normally occurs for seven to 10 days and should completely heel from one to three weeks.
Cause
Eating certain foods including:
- Potatoes
- Coffee
- Chocolate
- Cheese
- Citrus fruits
- Tomatoes
- Nuts
- Food preservatives, specifically benzoic acid and benzoates (E210–E219)
- Toothpastes containing the foaming agent, sodium lauryl sulphate.
Others:
- Orthotics (such as braces or dentures)
- Biting the tongue or cheek
- Burns from hot food or drinks
- Tobacco use and /or smoking
- Injury from surgery
- Oral conditions such as : thrush , long term dry mouth , Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivostomatitis;
- Viruses i.e cold sores, Herpetic gingivostomatitis (e.g. herpes simplex virus), Hand, foot and mouth disease (e.g. Coxsackie virus)
- Allergies
- Stress
- Weakened immune system
- Bacteria infections
- Conditions such as : Behcet’s disease,Crohn’s disease, Lupus, Sexually transmitted diseases , Lichen planus;
- Squamous cell carcinoma (e.g. mouth cancer);
- Vesiculobullous disease (e.g. mucous membrane pemphigoid/pemphigus);
- Blood cancers
- Nutritional deficiencies (lacking vitamins and minerals)
- Haematinic deficiency (e.g. low iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid)
- Chemical trauma (e.g. aspirin burn) and/or Chemical exposure
- Side effects of Medication, chemotherapy, radiation, Erythema multiforme (e.g. adverse drug reaction), Lichenoid drug reaction
