Mouth sores can not only be painful, but sometimes embarrassing as well. They can also signify deeper issues, and should not be taken lightly. Your dentist can help treat these problems but it’s ultimately up to you to maintain proper oral hygiene and regular visits. Knowing what these types of oral health issues are, they’re symptoms, and causes, can help.

Canker Sores
These are small ulcers inside the mouth, with a white-ish base (center) and a red border. Canker sores are not contagious, and there may be only one or several. These types of sores often return, as they are believed to be caused in part by immune system malfunctions, bacteria, or viruses.

Aside from health issues like intestinal problems, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease, other issues can increase the likelihood of a canker sore. Stress, allergies, or extended fatigue, as well as a cut or reactions from certain foods can also contribute to canker sore development.

Sores usually heal on their own after a week or so, but it’s possible to have an “outbreak” of consecutive, multiple sores at a time. There are over the counter anesthetics and mouthwashes that can provide temporary relief, but staying away from spicy or citrus and acidic foods will prevent futher irritation.

Cold Sores
No doubt cold sores are annoying and painful. Sometimes called “fever blisters”, they’re groups of fluid-filled blisters caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus. They’re often found around the lips, especially at the corners of the mouth. Cold sores are VERY contagious. The initial infection may be confused with a cold or flu during childhood or adolescence, and can cause painful lesions to erupt throughout the mouth.

Once someone’s been infected with the HSV1 virus, it stays in the body for life, and will cause occasional attacks. In rare cases, the virus remains inactive, and no outbreaks occur. An attack may follow a fever, sunburn, skin abrasions or emotional upset.

The blisters usually heal on their own in a week or so. Topical anesthetics or treatments can provide some relief, but prescription antiviral medications may reduce these types of infections.

Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia is a thick, whitish patch that forms on the inside of the cheeks, gums, or on the tongue. They’re caused by excess cell growth, kind of like a callous, and are common in tobacco users and denture wearers. There is a danger that leukoplakia can progress to oral cancer, so your dentist may suggest a biopsy if the patch appears threatening.

Treatment begins with an examination of the lesion and a biopsy, but removing the factors that contribute to it like quitting tobacco or replacing ill-fitting dentures is priority.

Candidiasis
Candidiasis is essentially a yeast infection in the mouth. It’s a fungal infection sometimes called moniliasis or oral thrush, and it occurse when the yeast Candida albicans reproduces in large numbers. It’s common amongst denture wearers and people who are very young or elderly, or who have troubles with their immune system. It can also flourish after an antibiotic treatment which can decrease the normal bacteria in the mouth that regulates yeast production.

Treatment and control involves preventing the conditions that caused the outbreak. Good oral cleansing and hygiene is vital, so clean dentures and remove them at night, and seek prescription help when the cause is unavoidable.

(source: ADA.org)

Tags: cankers sores, cold sores, Oral ulcer

This entry was posted on Monday, September 22nd, 2008 at 6:36 am and is filed under dental conditions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.