"What can I do about mouthsores?"
Mouth sores are annoying, painful and unsightly and there are
plenty of things that can cause them such as bacterial, viral or fungal
infections. A loose orthodontic wire, a denture that doesn’t fit, or a sharp
edge from a broken tooth or filling may also be the culprit.
Mouth sores may be symptoms of a disease or disorder. Dr.
Williams or Scott should
examine any mouth sore that lasts a week or longer. Among the most common mouth
sores are:
Canker sores.
Small ulcers
with a white or gray base and a red border. Unlike cold sores, canker
sores
appear inside the mouth. And, they are not contagious. There may be only one
canker sore or several and they often return. Their exact cause is uncertain
but some experts believe that immune system problems, bacteria or viruses
may be involved.
Fatigue, stress or allergies can increase the likelihood of a canker sore. A
cut caused by biting the cheek or tongue, or reactions from hot foods or
beverages may contribute to canker sore development. Intestinal problems, such
as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, also seem to make some people more
susceptible.
Treating Canker Sores: They usually heal on their own after a
week or two, but an outbreak may occur. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics and
antimicrobial mouth rinses may provide temporary relief. Stay away from hot,
spicy or acidic foods that can irritate the sore. Antibiotics and some oral
bandages can reduce secondary infection.
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Cold sores.
Annoying and definitely unsightly, cold sores, also
called fever blisters or Herpes simplex, are groups of painful, fluid-filled
blisters. They often erupt around the lips and sometimes under the nose or
around the chin. Cold sores caused by herpes virus type 1 are very
contagious. The initial infection (primary herpes), which often occurs
before adulthood, may be confused with a
cold or flu and can cause painful lesions to erupt throughout the
mouth.
Once a person is infected with primary herpes, the virus
stays in the body and causes occasional attacks. For some people, the virus
remains inactive. Recurring herpes lesions look like multiple tiny
fluid-filled blisters (cold sores) that most commonly appear around the edge
of the lips. An attack may follow a fever, sunburn, skin abrasions or
emotional upset.
Treating cold sores: Cold sore blisters usually heal in a
week by themselves. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can provide some
relief. Prescription antiviral drugs may reduce these kinds of viral
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Leukoplakia
Thick,
whitish-color patch that forms on the inside of the cheeks, gums or tongue.
These patches are caused by excess cell growth and are common among tobacco
users. They can result from irritations such as an ill-fitting denture or
the habit of chewing on the inside of the cheek. A danger is that
leukoplakia can progress to cancer. We may recommend a biopsy if
the patch appears threatening.
Treating leukoplakia: Dr. Williams or Scott will examine the lesion and checks the
biopsy results to help determine how to manage the disease. Treatment begins
with removing the factors that contribute to the lesion: quitting tobacco or
replacing ill-fitting dentures or bridges. |
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Candidiasis
This fungal
infection (also called moniliasis or oral thrush) occurs when the yeast
Candida albicans reproduce in large numbers. It is common among denture
wearers and most often occurs in people who are very young, elderly,
debilitated by disease, or who have a problem with their immune system.
People who have dry mouth syndrome are very susceptible to candidiasis.
Candida may flourish after antibiotic treatment, which can decrease normal
bacteria in the mouth.
Treating candidiasis: Control focuses on preventing or controlling the
conditions that caused the outbreak. Good oral hygiene is essential.
Clean dentures to remove Candida and remove them at bedtime. Saliva
substitutes and prescription medications may be helpful when the underlying
cause is incurable or unavoidable.
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