Sores in the mouth are damage to the mucous membrane and soft tissues. Aphthosis is a common disease. The appearance of ulcers in the oral cavity indicates a violation in the body. They can be on the gums, tongue, lips, cheeks, palate and have different shades: red, yellowish, white, differ in shape, size. But all of them are united by one thing - pain. It is difficult for a person to chew food, swallow. They cause discomfort when talking and laughing.
The main causes of sores
Aphthae is open sores or sores in the oral cavity that cause pain. Consider the causes of sores in the mouth:
- Damages of a mechanical nature: dental instruments, bracket system, as a result of an accidental bite.
- Weakened immunity. Infection if it enters the oral cavity can cause an inflammatory process.
- Viruses and bacteria. They enter the oral cavity through objects. Especially often young children become infected by picking poorly crafted toys and dirty hands.
- Complication. Or a consequence of another acute disease of an infectious nature.
- Chronic herpetic or staphylococcal infection. Under favorable conditions, it provokes the appearance of an ailment.
- Avitaminosis. Sores in the mouth of this nature disappear on their own when restoring a lack of vitamins.
- Allergic reactions. A strong allergen can cause mucosal disorders.
- Gastrointestinal diseases, mainly chronic.
- Hormonal disruptions. They provoke the development of various diseases.
- Oncological diseases. Decrease in the protective functions of the body.
- Sexually transmitted diseases are sometimes a symptom of a disease.
There are many reasons that contribute to the appearance of sores in the mouth, but the most important is the weakening of the human immune system.
How does an infection get into the oral cavity?
The main ways of infection are:
- Contact household. Use of the same dishes, cutlery, personal hygiene items and towels for a sick and healthy person.
- Oral fecal. It is found in preschool groups. The virus spreads through dirty hands, poorly crafted toys.
- Artifical. This is an artificial mechanism of infection through poorly processed medical instruments in dentistry rooms in the treatment of teeth and gums.
- Alimentary. Infection occurs through dirty hands, toys, and poorly processed foods.
Very often, sores in the mouth are formed in young children, who often put their hands in their mouths, pick up dirty toys and various objects from the floor. This is especially characteristic during teething and the presence of minor mucosal injuries. Microorganisms penetrate the tissues of the oral cavity and contribute to the development of inflammation.
Are ulcers contagious?
It all depends on the reason for their origin. They can be caused by bacteria or viral infections, and sometimes appear in connection with an indigestion. All this indicates that white sores in the mouth are both contagious and not. The pathology associated with digestive problems passes quickly and does not locally spread. Treatment should be aimed at alleviating discomfort and protecting against infections. Ulcers that do not go away during the two-week period are most likely viral or bacterial in origin and require serious treatment.
Without a special medical education, it is difficult to understand the reason for the appearance and degree of infectiousness of sores in the mouth (photo above), therefore, in all cases, you must consult your doctor.
Symptoms of the appearance of ulcers in the oral cavity
The appearance of aphtha in the mouth is preceded by a sensation of itching and burning. Over the course of several days, one to several vesicles form, which are then transformed into an ulcer. It is an oval with a diameter of up to 4 mm, and sometimes up to 1 cm. The color of the ulcer is white-yellow, and redness appears around the inflammatory process. Then the spot turns gray-white. Aphthae of large sizes are very painful, cause discomfort, fatigue and are sometimes accompanied by fever.
Sore mouth: causes and treatment
The main causes of mouth ulcers include general or characteristic diseases of the oral mucosa, and, possibly, various disorders associated with malfunctions of the body. Consider some of the most common diseases:
- Herpes stomatitis. According to statistics, more than 90% of people are carriers of this virus. It often does not manifest itself until there is a decrease in immunity, stress, a viral disease or a cold. Herpes sores are small, round, with clear boundaries. They are located in the sky in a chaotic manner, have a red color and bleed when touched. The main treatment for sores in the mouth is the use of antiviral drugs.
- Aphthous stomatitis. The disease occurs with a weakened immune system and a lack of vitamins C and group B, inflammatory processes in the intestines, psychological problems (emotional stress, depression). Small abscesses form in the mouth, causing acute pain, especially when consuming acidic and salty foods. The disease can also be recurrent. After treatment, scars form on the site of the ulcers. As an anti-inflammatory agent, you can use calendula tincture or tea tree essential oil. Home treatment gives a temporary result. You should consult a doctor who will prescribe the correct therapy.
- Candidiasis stomatitis. Otherwise, it is called the thrush. The causative agent is a fungus of the species Candida. Most often, this infection affects young children and the elderly. The disease begins with the appearance of white sores in the mouth in the form of a whitish coating, which is easily removed. With the development of the disease, their volume increases, discomfort and soreness appear. To eliminate the causes of the disease provide a balanced diet, stimulate the immune system and monitor oral hygiene. The latter is treated with soda solution or iodinol. In moderate and severe forms, antifungal drugs prescribed by a doctor are used.
Each disease has its own diagnosis and therapy, but there are general approaches. When they appear, you need to contact the dentist, ENT, therapist.
Causes of white sores in a child’s mouth
Sores in the child’s mouth appear for many reasons, and only a correctly diagnosed diagnosis will help restore the mucous membranes. Often the cause of their appearance is stomatitis. In this case, the tongue swells, and the sores have a reddish tint. The child's general condition worsens, he refuses food, is constantly acting up. Stomatitis mainly affects often sick children with weakened immune systems and prone to allergic reactions. In some cases, mouth sores are a symptom of a more serious illness. To identify the exact cause of the disease and prescribe the right treatment, the help of a pediatrician is needed. It must be called if:
- simultaneously with sores in the mouth, rashes appear on the body;
- temperature rises above 38 degrees;
- genitals or eyes become inflamed;
- sores appeared after taking the drug;
- difficulty breathing;
- the size of the sores is more than a centimeter;
- there is a profuse rash in the oral cavity;
- sores do not heal for more than three weeks.
Often, sores in children appear due to mechanical effects on the oral mucosa. In addition, the use of certain products provokes the appearance of rashes, these include:
- oranges, pineapples, figs;
- chocolate;
- strawberries, strawberries, raspberries;
- Tomatoes
- seafood;
- seasonings.
A child has a white sore in his mouth, how to treat?
The following actions will help the child from this ailment:
- Make a mixture of vegetable oil with salt. Apply it to the wounds several times a day, salt can cause pain, but it disinfects and protects sores.
- Deep wounds are recommended to be greased with brilliant green. The procedure is unpleasant, but gives a good effect.
- Replace the toothbrush, choose a hypoallergenic toothpaste.
- Rinse your mouth with soda solution, and then lubricate the wounds with thick soda gruel.
- Rinse with a solution of sea salt.
- Use anti-inflammatory herbal decoctions of sage, chamomile, calendula.
These activities can be carried out before visiting a doctor, a visit to which is necessary in any case. In addition, nutrition should be strengthened to increase immunity, give vitamins to the child.
Mouth ulcer: causes
Such a problem as a sore in the corner of the mouth is familiar to many. Dentists call her angulitis, and in everyday life - a jam. It can appear in both an adult and a child at any time of the year, causing pain, burning and itching. The main causes of this ailment are:
- The lack of B vitamins in the body. The condition is characterized by rapid fatigability, constant fatigue, poor appetite, and peeling of the skin is observed.
- Zinc and iron deficiency . With a lack of these trace elements, dry skin, brittle hair, and pallor of the skin are observed.
- Violation of metabolic processes that occur in diabetes mellitus, malfunction of the digestive tract, allergies, HIV infection.
- An allergic reaction to cosmetics or medicines.
- Weakened immune system. It is observed after diseases, heavy loads, stress, depression, loss of appetite.
- Constant accumulation of saliva. This is facilitated by an incorrect bite, poorly selected denture. As a result of this, the tissue corrodes, bacteria enter the wound, and the inflammatory process begins.
To determine the disease and the pathogen, a general blood test and smear should be taken, consult a doctor.
Symptoms and treatment of seizures
Symptoms of the disease depend on pathogens, which may be:
- Candida fungus - red cracks appear without crusting. Skin lesions cause pain and discomfort when opening the mouth. The disease is often chronic and worsens when the body weakens.
- Strepto- and staphylococci - a bubble forms in the corners of the mouth, then a wound with a purulent-bloody crust.
When the first signs of the disease appear, treatment should begin immediately, preventing the disease from becoming chronic.
To do this, use ointments and alcohol solutions. When choosing a medicine, it is necessary to take into account the type of pathogen. "Nystatin", "Ketoconazole", "Levorin" are used to treat fungal infections, and cracks in the corners of the lips, resulting from streptococcal and staphylococcal infections - with antibiotics. The most commonly used ointment is Levomikol. As an alcohol solution, you can use Fukortsin.
Oral Disease Prevention
To prevent the disease, it is recommended:
- Follow the rules of personal hygiene - do not use common utensils with a sick person. Have personal items for washing and brushing your teeth.
- Keep toys and dummies of babies clean.
- Monitor the state of the immune system.
- To conduct timely preventive treatment of chronic infections and sanitation of the oral cavity.
- Do not take antibiotics uncontrollably.
General recommendations for the treatment of mouth ulcers
It is worth recalling once again that the treatment of any sore mouth depends on the cause of their formation:
- Aphthous ulcers - use local remedies: gels, various rinses.
- Candidiasis stomatitis - is eliminated by antifungal drugs.
- Herpetic infections - they use local antiviral medicines.
- Infectious diseases of an acute nature - for a specific case, there is its own specific therapy.
In all cases, when severe pain occurs, gels having an analgesic effect are used.
There were sores in the mouth. Which doctor should I go to?
It is impossible to determine independently the cause of the appearance of wounds in the mouth. Even an experienced doctor at first glance will not say exactly what caused the development of sores in the mouth, and how to treat them. It is dangerous to self-medicate in such cases - this can result in complications or aggravate the course of the disease.
Do not forget that oral ulcers can be a manifestation of dangerous diseases, such as syphilis, tuberculosis, oncology, HIV. If any defects form on the mucous membrane of the gums, tongue, inner surfaces of the lips and cheeks, you should visit a doctor to get the correct appointments for the treatment of defects. All manifestations are located in the oral cavity, therefore, first consult a dentist or therapist. If necessary, they will be referred to the appropriate specialist.