MOUTH ULCERS

What are mouth ulcers?

Mouth ulcers — also known as canker sores — are normally small, painful lesions that develop in your mouth or at the base of your gums. They can make eating, drinking, and talking uncomfortable.

Mouth ulcers aren’t contagious — and they go away on their own — but there are treatments to help ease pain and discomfort.

It is a sore that develops in the soft tissue lining of your gums, tongue, inner cheeks, lips or palate.

These ulcers may form individually or multiple ulcers may appear at once (i.e., a "crop" of ulcers). 

Causes

The most common cause is injury, such as accidentally biting the inside of your cheek. Mouth ulcers are caused by many disorders. These include:

• Canker sores

• Gingivostomatitis

• Herpes simplex (fever blister)

• Leukoplakia

• Oral cancer

• Oral lichen planus

• Oral thrush

A skin sore caused by histoplasmosis may also appear as a mouth ulcer.

Risk factors

Triggers include: 

• hypersensitivity, 

• infection, 

• hormones, 

• stress, and 

• not getting enough of some vitamins.

Types

There are three main types of mouth ulcers. These include:

Herpetiform ulceration (HU)

Herpetiform ulcers are a subtype of aphthous ulcers and get their name because they resemble the sores associated with herpes. Unlike herpes, HU is not contagious. HU ulcers recur very quickly, and it may appear that the condition never gets better.

Minor ulcers

This type can range in size from about 2 millimeters (mm) up to 8 mm across. These ulcers typically take up to 2 weeks to get better and will cause minor pain.

Major ulcers

Bigger than minor ulcers, major ulcers are often irregular in shape, may be raised, and penetrate deeper into the tissue than minor ulcers. They can take several weeks to go away and are likely to leave scar tissue when they clear.

Symptoms

Most canker sores are round or oval with a white or yellow center and a red border. They form inside your mouth — on or under your tongue, inside your cheeks or lips, at the base of your gums, or on your soft palate. You might notice a tingling or burning sensation a day or two before the sores actually appear.

There are several types of canker sores, including minor, major and herpetiform sores.

Minor canker sores

Minor canker sores are the most common and:

• Are usually small

• Are oval shaped with a red edge

• Heal without scarring in one to two weeks

Major canker sores

Major canker sores are less common and:

• Are larger and deeper than minor canker sores

• Are usually round with defined borders, but may have irregular edges when very large

• Can be extremely painful

• May take up to six weeks to heal and can leave extensive scarring

Herpetiform canker sores

Herpetiform canker sores are uncommon and usually develop later in life, but they're not caused by herpes virus infection. These canker sores:

• Are pinpoint size

• Often occur in clusters of 10 to 100 sores, but may merge into one large ulcer

• Have irregular edges

• Heal without scarring in one to two weeks

Homoeopathic treatment for mouth ulcers

Homoeopathy is a very effective mode of treatment for problems like mouth ulcers. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach. 

Homoeopathy aim is not only to treat diseases of mouth but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several remedies are available to treat diseases of mouth that can be selected on the basis of cause, sensations and modalities of the complaints. 

Here are few medicines in homoeopathic for mouth ulcers:

Borax

This remedy relieves canker sores, especially in young children, that occur inside the cheeks.

Mercurius solubilis

This relieves canker sores with a bad taste in the mouth 

Plantago

teeth feel elongated, sore and sensitive to touch; cheeks swollen; pains are periodic, easily excited and affect the sound teeth; worse lying on affected side; sometimes stabbing and boring pains become severe.

Calcarea carbonica

This remedy is often indicated when infants and small children have recurring canker sores. A child who needs this remedy may also have head-sweats during sleep, and be slow to teethe or learn to walk. 

Calcarea carbonica may help with canker sores in adults who are chilly, stout, and easily fatigued.

Arnica

Useful after extraction of tooth.

Coffea

It removes the severest pains due to cold; the pain is often relieved by cold iced water. it is the best remedy for stinging, jerking pains

Hepar sulphuris calcareum

If a person develops painful mouth sores that become infected—with pus formation, extreme sensitivity, and aggravation from cold drinks—this remedy may be indicated. A person needing Hepar sulph often feels extremely chilly, vulnerable, and oversensitive.

Kali bichromicum

This remedy relieves canker sores that are deep and clean cut, with a yellowish color.

Nux vomica

A person who needs this remedy may break out in canker sores after overindulging in sweets, strong spicy foods, stimulants, or alcoholic beverages. The sores are often small, and the person may have swollen gums, a coated tongue, and bloody salivation. Irritability, impatience, and a general chilliness are often seen when this remedy is needed. 

Arsenicum album

A person who breaks out in burning, painful mouth sores, and also feels anxious and tired, is likely to benefit from this remedy. Hot drinks often ease the pain, and the person feels best when keeping warm. People who need this remedy often have unhealthy, easily-bleeding gums, and tend to be extremely neat and tense.

Silicea

Abscesses in roots of the teeth, or dental fistulae, pains are worse from eating warm food, or when cold air gets into the mouth; worse at night; teeth feel loose

Other medicines like:

Staphysagria, belladonna, Mercurius, baptisia, helleborus nig., Hydrastis, salicylic acid, Lachesis, sulphuric acid, Muriatic Acid, apis etc.,

None of these medicines should be taken without professional advice. 

For individualized remedy selection and treatment, contact BRAHMA MADHURYA HOMOEOPATHY CLINIC - +91-7057579595 or www.brahmamadhurya.com