What are Mouth Sores? How Are They Treated?

It is known that canker sores also cause pain. Therefore, treatment is needed to help relieve the patient. Frequent recurrence of mouth sores may be a sign of various diseases. For this reason, it should be emphasized that these sores must not be ignored. We will also address what the symptoms are and how treatment is carried out. First, let’s take a closer look at how mouth sores form.

How Do Mouth Sores Form?

From a medical perspective, a mouth sore is considered damage to the oral mucosal tissue. Sores may appear on the palate as well as on the tongue, under the tongue, on the gums or on the inner cheek tissues. Bacterial infections are one of the factors that cause mouth sores. However, sometimes biting or chewing hard foods, viruses and even cold sores can also lead to the formation of these lesions.

Therefore, we can say that mouth sores can be caused not only by external factors but also by internal ones. Studies show that mouth sores are more common in women. Although patients often prefer to wait for mouth sores to heal on their own, if there is no improvement after a few days, medical help should definitely be sought.

What Are The Symptoms Of Mouth Sores?

The symptoms and severity of mouth sores may not be the same in every individual. Generally, these sores present with the following symptoms:

• Redness in the area where the sore appears
• An inflamed appearance around the sore
• Mild swelling in the area
• Sensitivity in and around the sore
• Pain, discomfort or stinging
• Difficulty eating
• Loss of appetite
• A constant stinging sensation at the lesion site
• High body temperature (fever)
• Pain during actions such as tooth brushing or using mouthwash

Not all of these symptoms appear with every mouth sore. For example, high fever is usually seen only in virus-related mouth sores or when an inflammatory process is present. Therefore, even if not all symptoms are present, it is still beneficial to seek treatment.

What Causes Mouth Sores?

Some physical factors are common causes of mouth sores. However, it should not be forgotten that this problem can also occur due to microorganisms. Psychological factors are usually overlooked. Stress, sadness and anxiety can also trigger these lesions. In other words, the oral mucosa can be affected by psychological factors as well. However, mouth sores originating from psychological causes often resolve on their own within a few days. In general, the causes of these sores can be listed as follows:

• Genetic or certain systemic diseases
• Vitamin or mineral deficiencies
• Certain medications used in treatments
• Allergic reactions of the body to medications or foods
• Changes in the body’s hormone balance
• Excessive consumption of acidic foods and beverages
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Neglect of oral and dental hygiene and care
• Use of tobacco products
• Contact of chemical substances with the oral tissues
• Low quality oral care products
• Existing structural problems in the teeth and gums
• Weakened immune system
• Microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses
• Biting or chewing hard or sharp-edged foods

How Is A Mouth Sore Diagnosed?

Of course, diagnosing a mouth sore does not require extensive tests or very detailed examinations. A simple visual inspection is often sufficient. Patients can also see these lesions themselves in a mirror. Sometimes the sores may be located close to the throat and, in such cases, dentists can use medical instruments to visualize and diagnose them. If the sores do not heal within a few days or show progression over time, treatment is definitely necessary. In such cases, the lesions are examined in more detail.

Sometimes the lesion appears very small, yet causes severe pain. In other cases, there may be no obvious ulcer, but redness or a pattern of small white spots can be seen. In any of these situations, do not forget that you should still consult a dentist. In treatment, the main factor considered is the underlying cause of the sores. The goal is to eliminate this cause. In rare cases, a culture sample may be taken from the oral cavity. When virus-related sores are suspected, laboratory analysis of the culture may be required. This helps determine which treatment will be applied.

What Are The Treatment Methods For Mouth Sores?

As mentioned earlier, the primary factor considered in the treatment of mouth sores is the underlying cause. Treatment is planned to eliminate this cause. Since many mouth sores heal on their own within a few days, no treatment is needed in such cases. However, if 1–3 days have passed and the sore persists, becomes inflamed or the pain intensifies over time, treatment is absolutely required.

If the sores are caused by viruses or microorganisms, patients need to use antibiotic medications. When the prescribed medications are used regularly, the healing process usually begins quickly. This is because healing in the oral tissues does not take very long. The rapid effect of medication is also due to the fast healing capacity of the mucosal tissue.

If the cause of the mouth sores is structural problems in the teeth or gums, or accessories such as piercings, medication alone will not be sufficient. In such cases, different treatment options are considered and the underlying cause of the sores is eliminated with other procedures. In summary, the same treatment is not applied in every mouth sore case. Treatment protocols vary depending on the cause of the lesions.

What Helps Mouth Sores?

Patients may experience pain due to mouth sores and therefore may neglect oral hygiene. However, the most beneficial factor for these sores is proper oral and dental cleaning. Keeping the mouth clean, brushing the teeth and using dental floss should never be neglected. Adding salt to warm water and rinsing the mouth with this saline solution can also provide relief. This method can be used several times a day. However, gargling too frequently may be harmful.

What Are The Types Of Mouth Sores?

The types of lesions that are commonly referred to as mouth sores among the public are:

• Aphthous Ulcer (Canker Sore)

This is a common problem and the surface appears white. It can occur in various areas of the mouth and may change location.

• Cold Sore

It usually appears around the lips and sometimes extends into the oral cavity. It looks like a small blister filled with fluid.

• Thrush

This problem is most commonly seen in denture wearers and infants. It is a fungal-type lesion.

• Erythroplakia

It appears red but is not raised. You can write your questions about oral lesions in the comment section.