What are ulcers?

Some people are regularly plagued by painful mouth sores. These sores, called aphthous ulcers, occur in both adolescents and adults. The cause is not entirely clear, but they do not cause permanent health damage.

Aphthous ulcers are blisters or sores in the mouth three to four millimetres in diameter. They are greyish-white or thick yellow spots with an inflamed red border. Aphthous ulcers appear on the inside of the lips, cheeks or under the tongue. They deliver a stabbing pain while eating acidic or hot food. Some people feel an abscess coming on beforehand. They recognise the painful feeling that comes with it. Sometimes the oral mucosa also looks red.

How do aphthous ulcers occur?

Unfortunately, the cause of aphthous ulcers is unclear. They often rear their head when there is reduced physical resistance, poor oral hygiene, hypersensitivity to certain foods or stress. They can result from biting the tongue or the inside of the cheek, but also from eating hot food. Sometimes ulcers are the result of a sharp edge on a tooth or ill-fitting dentures. Aphthous ulcers do not result from a vitamin deficiency. That is a misconception.

How long does it take for an afte to disappear?

The bigger the ulcer is, the longer it will take to heal. After two weeks, the afte should be gone.

What can you do yourself against ulcers?

MouthwashStay away from mouth ulcers. Breaking the vesicles worsens the symptoms. If you brush carefully and eat slowly, you will prevent the ulcers from spreading. Some toothpastes and mouthwashes are claimed to be effective against ulcers, but there is no scientific evidence for this.

When should you consult your dentist for ulcers?

Consult your dentist if the ulcers have not disappeared after two weeks. Also seek advice if you suffer from them frequently. Inform your dentist if you feel that your ulcers are caused by sharp edges on your teeth or ill-fitting dentures.

Are there medicines for ulcers?

There is no drug with a guaranteed effect. To relieve some of the pain, the dentist may prescribe a remedy. Some people benefit from antiseptic mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine. This is a disinfectant that reduces the number of bacteria in the mouth. For this reason, the rinses can have a beneficial effect on ulcers. However, these remedies do not speed up healing. Moreover, their use can be painful.

Are ulcers dangerous to health?

Aphthous ulcers are sometimes extremely painful but not threatening to health. Only a combination of ulcers and high fever can lead to an infectious disease. In that case, consult your dentist.