Mouth Sores: Causes, Treatment, Cost and Home remedies

Mouth ulcers or sores usually develop on the soft tissue region in the mouth including lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, and floor as well as the roof of the mouth. These may be a result of weakened immunity or exposure to the herpes simplex virus.

Mouth ulcers appear as round or oval-shaped sores. These are with a white or yellow-colored center, surrounded by a red border of inflamed tissue.

Summary: Mouth sores appear round or oval-shaped with a white or yellow colored center surrounded by a red border. These look like small bumps on the soft tissue or mucosa inside the oral cavity.

Mouth sores are not always serious. Mild cases are accompanied by the appearance of small-sized sores which are not recurrent. These are not as painful and get healed spontaneously without undergoing treatment. On the other hand, there are cases associated with serious symptoms of mouth sores.

The size of the sores in such cases are larger i.e more than half an inch. These larger sores being painful cause difficulty in eating, swallowing, breathing, or speech. They show frequent outbreaks as well as recurrence and may be associated with fever or diarrhoea and rashes.

Summary: Mouth sores get resolved easily when accompanied by mild symptoms. But it becomes serious and recurrent when the symptoms are severe including the larger size of the sores associated with pain, fever, diarrhoea, and difficulty in breathing, eating, or swallowing.

Healing of mouth sores usually takes 10 to 14 days in mild cases. But when the condition varies from being moderate to severe, it may take around six or more weeks to recover. Such cases do not resolve spontaneously and require serious treatment under the supervision of a doctor.

Mouth sores occur again and again and do not go away in the following conditions:

• Repetitive biting of tongue, lips, or cheeks
• Chewing tobacco
• Prolonged irritation after wearing dentures, braces, or retainers
• Using a hard toothbrush
• Exposure to herpes simplex virus
• Persisting physiological abnormalities like irritable bowel syndrome
• Stressful mode of life

Summary: Mouth sores are recurrent in some conditions including the prolonged wearing of dentures, braces or retainers, repetitive biting of the tongue, lips, or cheeks, or frequent exposure to the herpes simplex virus. Elimination of causative factors is important to prevent a recurrence.

Consultation with a doctor or dentist is not required in all cases of mouth sores. Mild cases get recovered easily within 10 to 14 days without seeing a doctor. However, severe cases need the same. Following are the indications for urgent medical attention in case of mouth sores:

• The occurrence of white patches in the region of sores may be an indication of leukoplakia and oral lichen planus.
• Infection with herpes simplex virus
• Sores that are persistent and do not resolve spontaneously
• Need of a new medication
• The affected individual has recently undergone transplant surgery

Summary: Mild cases of mouth sores are resolved easily without any treatment, but cases other than that should undergo on-time treatment under the supervision of a doctor or dentist. Delayed treatment may lead to complications like mouth cancer.

In the first stage of healing, ulcers are not yet formed and are associated with the presence of a burning or prickling type of sensations in the affected area. This is known as the prodromal stage which marks the beginning of the ulcer's healing.

The second stage is characterized by an increase in the size of the formed ulcer. This is the painful phase in which ulcers are formed having a yellow-grey center and surrounded by the red border. In the next and final stage, the pain subsides and the ulcer starts to shrink as a result of the healing process.

Make sure that you consume a healthy and balanced diet while avoiding junk food. Avoid very hot food and drinks. Chew the food slowly. Do not smoke or chew tobacco.

Drink plenty of your water to hydrate your body and mouth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush your teeth gently. Protect your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun while stepping out.

Mouth sores are one of the commonly faced ailments occurring on the soft tissue region of the mouth including lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, etc. These are associated with pain and inflammation.

Difficulty in eating, drinking, breathing, or speech is a common symptom that can be overcome easily over a certain time period. However, the following are the symptoms that can make us worry and require a doctor’s consultation:

• The size of the sores is larger i.e the diameter is more than half an inch
• Occurrence of frequent outbreaks
• Pain in the joints
• Fever and diarrhoea
• Appearance of rashes

Summary: Mouth sores are a common ailment affecting mainly soft tissue parts in the mouth such as the tongue, lips, cheeks, gums, etc. These are associated with pain and inflammation and are quite treatable depending upon the severity of symptoms.

Mouth ulcers can be prevented by the consumption of immunity-boosting herbs and adequate vitamins in the form of supplements. These should be incorporated into the regular diet so as to strengthen the immune system and prevent mouth sores-like conditions. Some of the preferred vitamins, as well as herbs, include:

• Vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin A - Among vitamins, folic acid (Vit.B9) and thiamine (Vit. B1) are the most important which accelerate the healing process and also prevent the condition
• Zinc
• Herbs like Astragalus, Echinacea, and Wild Indigo

Summary: Prevention of mouth ulcers is possible by incorporating vitamins and herbs as supplements in our regular diet. These boost the immune system and enhance the resistance of our body against mouth sores like infections.