What causes aphthosis and how to rid of them
Canker sores also called aphthous ulcers, are small blisters that are usually very shallow and occur on the soft tissues of the mouth and gums. Unlike herpes, they appear exclusively inside the oral cavity and cannot be transmitted to another person. However, they are very painful and can sometimes make it difficult to speak and chew food normally. They usually disappear within ten days.
What causes aphthosis?
If a person is exposed to intense stress for a long time, the body’s defense mechanism weakens, so it often happens that canker sores appear during that period. Their appearance is also affected by the lack of iron and folic acid. They also occur due to the appearance of a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, hormonal disorders, inadequate oral hygiene, or diabetes.
Canker sores can occur individually or in groups, clusters. They often occur in people who like to consume spicy, sour, or overcooked food that can irritate the oral cavity and mucous membranes.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM?
Canker sores are round, white, or bright red if they are additionally inflamed, and sometimes a dark red ring can appear around them. They are painful to the touch and any movement in the oral cavity, so discomfort also occurs during speech or chewing.
They most often appear on the inner side of the cheek and less often on the gums, palate, or even in the throat. If they appear on the palate or throat, they can be associated with a bacterial infection that requires treatment.
Accompanying symptoms that most often occur are mild swelling of the mucous membrane in the area where aphthae, redness, white or yellow lesions resembling spots have appeared. In rare cases, enlarged glands in the neck can appear.
If canker sores often appear or last long, if they start to spread or bleed, if enlarged lymph nodes appear or you have a fever or ear pain contact your MD.
How to rid of them?
The first steps are to boost your immunity, eliminate pain and accelerate the healing of canker sores. Change the toothbrush and other accessories for the care of the oral cavity – interdental brushes and tongue cleaners.
Take a lot of vitamin C, which strengthens immunity and regenerates the mucous membrane. You can also use baking soda dissolved in water and thus rinse your mouth several times a day. It is very effective in disinfection because it belongs to antiseptics.
St. John’s wort, chamomile, yarrow, and mint also help to accelerate the healing of aphthae. Sage tea has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, relieves pain, accelerates the healing of wounds, and affects the disappearance of fungi and bacteria if they are the cause of aphthae.
In addition to these herbs, propolis also helps boost immunity.
If the canker sores are persistent and very painful, contact your dentist that will do an examination and advise you in a professional way how you can get rid of them.
If you have any questions regarding oral health or want to schedule an examination, we are waiting for you in Belgrade at 3 Trstenjakova Street. You can also contact us by phone and schedule your check-up.