Mouth Ulcer Causes
Mouth ulcers are small sores that form on the tissues in the mouth like the lips, gums, tongue, and cheeks. Mouth ulcer causes can range and come with unique symptoms that differ from one another. Understanding the root cause of your mouth ulcers can help prevent them in the future.
Table of Contents
Common Types of Mouth Ulcers
A mouth ulcer is a generalized name for a sore in the mouth. There are several different types of mouth sores that come with their unique mouth ulcer causes. Common types of mouth ulcers are:
- Canker Sores: Also called aphthous ulcers, these sores occur inside the mouth. These mouth ulcer causes aren’t exactly known but can be triggered by certain known factors. Thankfully, they are not contagious.
- Cold Sores: These sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are very common. Cold sores are contagious and can appear inside or outside the mouth. They are easily spread from person to person and to other areas of the body. There is currently no cure for this virus.
- Gingivostomatitis: Mostly affecting children, this viral infection can cause painful sores and blisters in the mouth and on the lips.
- Trauma-Based Sores: Most people have experienced biting their tongue or cheek at least once in their lives. Ulcers from trauma can be self-inflicted by accidentally biting the tissues in the mouth or having an object damage it. As a response, the body produces an ulcer.
Top Mouth Ulcer Causes
It is fairly common to experience multiple different types of mouth sores in a lifetime. These mouth ulcer causes can come from multiple different factors, internal and external. Understanding the cause of the mouth sore can help prevent future irritants and can speed up healing. Common mouth ulcer causes are:
- Viral Infections: When the body is infected with certain viruses, the immune system response can be painful. These viruses include Herpes Simplex Virus, Mononucleosis, Hand-Food-Mouth Disease, and Coxsackievirus.
- Bacterial Infections: Everyone has bacteria in the mouth. When the bacterial environment is disrupted negatively or at increased levels, mouth sores can occur. A common example of this is poor oral hygiene.
- Injuries: The body can respond to a trauma with a sensitive ulcer. Accidental biting of the lip, tongue, and cheek is the most common ulcer-related injury. Hard foods can scrape the oral tissues and hot foods can cause burn-related sores. Oral appliances like fixed retainers or braces can also cause irritation.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: There are thousands of types of bacteria in the mouth. Without controlling the bacteria through good brushing and flossing habits, bacteria can trigger painful mouth sores.
- Systemic Diseases: When certain systemic diseases become unstable, the body responds through mouth ulcers. Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Celiacs Disease, and Behçet’s disease are just a few.
- Stress: When the body is stressed, the immune symptom may trigger mouth sores.
- Vitamin Deficiency: The body is constantly growing and changing and requires certain nutrients to keep up with the demand. Decreased levels of Vitamin D and B-12 can trigger mouth sores.
Treating Mouth Ulcers
Mouth sores can be quite painful and interfere with eating, drinking, and talking. Mouth ulcers can be triggered by many different reasons but usually last between 7-14 days. There is no one fix to cure all mouth sores but there are ways to help speed up the healing process.
- Good Oral Hygiene Practices: Controlling the bacteria in the mouth is very important in preventing mouth sores but also other oral diseases. Daily brushing and flossing are key to neutralizing bacteria.
- For more tips on controlling the bacteria in the mouth, check out our Health Smile Guide.
- Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol in them, this can irritate the sores more and prolong healing.
- Neutral Supporting Diet: Certain foods can irritate the tissues in the mouth and trigger mouth sores. Minimize foods that are spicy, salty, and acidic. Sugary foods can also feed bacteria and causes increased activity.
- Our Dental Nutrition Guide has additional information.
- Warm Salt Water Rinses: Rinsing with warm saltwater throughout the day will help soothe sores and promote healing. Use half a teaspoon of salt per one cup of warm water to gently swirl around the extraction site.
- Healthy Immune System: Supporting the immune system can help the body heal mouth sores fast. This includes having good sleep practices, stress management, and proper hydration and nutrition.
- Stabilize Systemic Diseases: Maintaining stability with systemic diseases like Diabetes, Lupus, Cancers, and Sjögren syndrome can help overcome mouth sores fast by supporting the body’s immune system.
Preventing Mouth Ulcers
Many people experience mouth sores in their lifetime. For some, it can occur frequently. Ways to prevent mouth sores are:
- Understand the route cause of your mouth sores
- Have a strong oral hygiene routine
- Practice stress management techniques
- See your dentist routinely for cleanings and exams
- Schedule routine checkups with your medical doctors
- Avoid foods and beverages with high levels of salts, sugar, acidity, and spices.
- Stay hydrated
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main cause of ulcers in the mouth?
The most common causes of mouth ulcers are trauma-related. Avoid biting objects such as pens, fingernails, and other hard objects. Be more conscious when chewing food if you commonly bite your lip or tongue.
How do I get rid of ulcers in my mouth?
The best way to get rid of ulcers in the mouth is to find out why they occurred in the first place. Support the immune system through diet, sleep, and stress management. Swish with warm salt water rinses, keep the mouth clean, and avoid irritating foods and beverages.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
