Understanding the Causes of Mouth Sores and DIY Remedies for Oral Ulcers
PART 2
Symptoms of Mouth Sores
While recognizing the types of mouth sores gives insight into what symptoms can appear, knowing each specific sore can help provide targeted relief and can enable proactive care depending on what symptom is present. Listed here are some of the possible symptoms:
- Pain or discomfort through constant, dull aches in the affected area of the oral cavity with sharp, shooting pain once exposed to food or water. Consuming hot, spicy, or acidic foods like citrus can also increase pain.
- Swelling or redness around the sore due to inflamed borders, making them appear puffy.
- Small, round, white, or yellow patches appear usually during canker sores.
- Burning or tingling sensation before sore appears, specifically during cold sores before the formation of the blisters.
- Fever or swollen lymph nodes are common during HSV outbreaks which are accompanied by cold sores. This occurs particularly in severe or initial infections, with subsequent infections being less severe.
The symptoms that accompany mouth sores can usually lead to problems regarding difficulty in eating, drinking, or speaking. Since the impediment of these basic skills can lead to discomfort, reinforcing attentive care by ensuring each remedy is appropriate can often empower individuals in their self-care options.
Causes of Mouth Sores
However, it is not enough to understand symptoms for proper treatment. Being aware of the causes enables anyone to take necessary steps for prevention. Recognizing the triggers of mouth sores can allow preventive measures to take place by developing the self-awareness needed to foster healthy lifestyle changes.
Here are some possible causes of mouth sores:
- Minor injuries: Causes traumatic ulcers through the biting of the cheek, irritation from braces, and the consumption of rough foods that can cause irritation like nuts (almonds, walnuts, peanuts, etc.), seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds), crunchy food (chips, crackers, pretzels), spicy foods, acidic foods, and more.
- Viral infections: Causes mouth sores like cold sores from herpes simplex virus (HSV) often to those with weaker immune systems like children.
- Vitamin deficiencies: B12, iron, and folate which are necessary for healthy cell growth repair, proper oxygenation of tissues, and proper nervous system and immune system health when deficient weakens the body’s ability to fight off viral infections and prevent canker sores from occurring.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations can cause mouth sores like those during menstruation due to progesterone influence which can weaken the immune system and increase susceptibility to inflammation and mouth sores. Additionally, hormonal changes can reduce the production of saliva, which acts as the natural protective barrier in the cavity, thereby increasing the risk of mouth sores.
- Stress and anxiety: Much like hormones, stress and anxiety can weaken the immune system through the release of “stress hormones” called cortisol which, during elevated levels, can suppress the immune system’s ability to stave off infections and inflammation. Additionally, stress can reduce saliva production, which, together can compromise oral health and increase susceptibility to mouth sores.
- Autoimmune diseases: These are diseases occurring when a body’s immune system accidentally attacks its tissues. Examples of these autoimmune diseases are Behçet’s Disease which is a rare disorder that contributes to the inflammation of blood vessels in the body, Lupus which affects various organs including the mouth, Crohn’s Disease which is an inflammatory bowel disease, Lichen Planus which is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the mouth, and more, all of which causing oral ulcers.
- Side-effects of Medication: Some medications like Chemotherapy drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, Bisphosphonates, and more can induce or increase susceptibility to mouth sores as side-effects.
- Allergic reactions: reactions like the Oral Allergy Syndrome, in severe cases, can lead to mouth ulcers. Additionally, other allergies like food allergies can cause oral symptoms which, in some cases, can also lead to mouth ulcers.
- Tobacco use: Smoking and chewing tobacco can be grounds for direct irritation to the delicate tissues of the mouth, directly causing the formation of mouth sores. Additionally, it contributes to the reduction of saliva production and the weakening of the immune system, which, as mentioned prior can increase susceptibility to mouth sores due to the body’s incapacity to combat infections.
- Oral hygiene: Inadequate oral hygiene can be grounds for the formation of oral ulcers, as it can lead to the buildup of bacteria and plaque which serves to irritate the oral tissues and the gums.
By understanding these causes, reducing the risks of mouth ulcers becomes easier since it enables not just countermeasures against the symptoms, but also against the root causes of those aforementioned symptoms. Considering these causes can foster a sense of proactivity which leads to an overall healthier lifestyle.