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 Overview
They are annoying and painful 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. A dentist 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. |
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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
mouthrinses 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.
| Cold sores. Annoying and painful, cold sores, also called fever blisters or Herpes simplex, are groups of 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. |
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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 infections.
| 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. Your dentist may recommend a biopsy if the patch appears threatening. |
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Treating leukoplakia: The dentist examines
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.
| 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. |
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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.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Please note: The ADA does not provide specific answers
to individual questions about fees, dental problems, conditions, diagnoses,
treatments or proposed treatments, or requests for research. Information about
dental referrals, complaints and a variety of dental procedures may
be found here. You can also refer to our Frequently
Asked Questions page for answers to common questions.
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