Mouth Ulcer
Alternate Names : Canker Sore, Oral Ulcer, Denture Sore, Ulcerative Stomatitis
A mouth ulcer is a small sore in the mucuous membranes inside the
mouth.
What is going on in the body?
The mouth is sensitive to many irritations. Problems in other parts of the body can also cause sores in the mouth. Although most mouth sores
will go away by themselves and are of little concern, some are much more
serious.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
There are many causes of mouth ulcers. They range from minor irritants to mouth cancer.
Some of the common causes are as follows:
accidental
cheek, lip, or tongue biting
accidental damage from tooth brushing
allergic reaction to medications
burns from food or drink that is too hot
burns or irritations from medications, such as aspirin
cancer of the
mouth or lips
chemotherapy or
radiation therapy
denture sores
electrical burns
food allergy
HIV,
the virus that causes AIDS
food allergy
an impacted tooth
irritation from a dental procedure
irritation from orthodontic appliances
localized irritation from a disease, such as Parkinson's
disease
medications that cause mouth dryness, including antihistamines such as
diphenhydramine
a new tooth coming in, known as a tooth eruption
reactions to tobacco products
serious medical illnesses that weaken the person, such as cancer
some sexually transmitted
diseases, such as
gonorrhea
viral disease, such as oral
herpes
Women are more prone to mouth ulcers than men are,
especially during
pregnancy
or right before a menstrual period.
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