A mouth ulcer or canker sore is a painful open sore inside the mouth caused by a break in the mucous membrane. The condition is also called aphthous stomatitis or aphthous ulcer, especially if there are multiple or recurring sores. The following codes are used with International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... The International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O) is a domain specific extension of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems for tumor diseases. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... The Mendelian Inheritance in Man project is a database that catalogues all the known diseases with a genetic component, and - when possible - links them to the relevant genes in the human genome. ... MedlinePlus (medlineplus. ... eMedicine is an online clinical medical knowledge base that was founded in 1996. ... The Diseases Database is a free website that provides information about the relationships between medical conditions, symptoms, and medications. ... Endoscopic images of a duodenal ulcer. ... The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular: mucosa) are linings of ectodermic origin, covered in epithelium, and are involved in absorption and secretion. ...

Canker sore on the lower lip

Taken 21 April 2005. ... Taken 21 April 2005. ...

Symptoms

Mouth ulcers often begin with a tingling or burning sensation at the site of the future sore. In a few days they often progress to form a red spot or bump, followed by an open ulcer.

The mouth ulcer appears as a white or yellow oval with an inflamed red border. Sometimes a white circle or halo around the lesion can be observed. The grey, white, or yellow coloured area within the red boundary is due to the formation of layers of fibrin, a protein involved in the clotting of blood. The ulcer, which itself is often extremely painful when agitated, may be accompanied by a painful swelling of the lymph nodes below the jaw, which can be mistaken for toothache. Fibrin is a protein involved in the clotting of blood. ... Structure of the lymph node. ... A toothache, also known as odontalgia or, less frequently, as odontalgy, is an aching pain in or around a tooth. ...

Mouth ulcers are classified according to the diameter of the lesion. Minor aphthous ulcers, the most frequent type, are less than 10mm in diameter and typically heal in 1-2 weeks without scarring. Major aphthous ulcers are greater than 10mm in diameter and are incredibly painful. They usually take more than a month to heal and frequently leave a scar. Herpetiform ulcers are small, usually less than 1-2mm in diameter, and form clusters. They typically heal in less than a month without scarring. [1]

Causes

The exact cause of mouth ulcers is unknown, but factors that appear to provoke them include stress, fatigue, illness, injury from accidental biting, hormonal changes, menstruation, food allergies and deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron and folic acid. Stress (roughly the opposite of relaxation) is a medical term for a wide range of strong external stimuli, both physiological and psychological, which can cause a physiological response called the general adaptation syndrome, first described in 1936 by Hans Selye in the journal Nature. ... Hormone is also the NATO reporting name for the Soviet/Russian Kamov Ka-25 military helicopter. ... The menstrual cycle is the periodic change in a womans body that occurs every month between puberty and menopause and that relates to reproduction. ... In medicine, food allergy is hypersensitivity to dietary substances, leading to various types of gastrointestinal complaints. ... Cobalamin or vitamin B12 is a chemical compound that is also known as cyanocobalamine. ... General Name, Symbol, Number iron, Fe, 26 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 8, 4, d Appearance lustrous metallic with a grayish tinge Atomic mass 55. ... Folic acid and folate (the anion form) are forms of a water-soluble B vitamin. ...

In 1982 a previously unknown bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, was discovered to be the cause of stomach ulcers. It is hypothesized that bacteria are at work in mouth ulcers, though the specific organism has not been isolated. Binomial name Helicobacter pylori ((Marshall 1985) Goodwin 1989) Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that infects the mucus lining of the human stomach. ... Peptic ulcer is a non-malignant ulcer of the stomach (called gastric ulcer) or duodenum (called duodenal ulcer). ...

Trauma to the mouth is a common cause of mouth ulcers. Physical trauma, such as toothbrush abrasion, poking with sharp food, accidental biting, or dental braces can cause mouth ulcers by breaking the mucous membrane. Other factors such as chemical irritants or thermal injury may also lead to the development of ulcers. In many cases, the precise cause is unknown. Dental braces (also known as orthodontic braces or tooth braces) are a fixed appliance used in orthodontics to correct alignment of teeth and their position with regard to bite. ...

A common cause of ulcers is gluten intolerance, in which case consumption of wheat, rye or barley can result in chronic mouth ulcers. If gluten intolerance is the cause, prevention means taking most breads, pastas, cakes, pies, cookies, scones, biscuits, beers etc. out of the diet and substituting gluten-free varieties where available. Artificial sugars, such as those found in diet cola and sugarless gum have been reported as causes of mouth ulcers as well.

Other disorders can cause mouth ulcers, including oral thrush, leukoplakia, gingivostomatitis and oral lichen planus. Mouth ulcers are also associated with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, coeliac disease (gluten sensitivity), bullous pemphigoid, and Behçet's disease. Chemotherapy is a common cause of mouth ulcers. The treatment depends on the cause. Oral thrush is an infection of yeast fungus, Candida albicans, in the mucous membranes of the mouth. ... Leukoplakia is a common condition (<1%) of the mouth that involves the formation of white spots on the mucous membranes of the tongue and inside of the mouth. ... Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous lining of any of the structures in the mouth, which may involve the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, and roof or floor of the mouth. ... Lichen planus is an inflammatory disease that usually affects the skin, the mouth, or sometimes both. ... Diagram of the Human Intestine Crohns disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract and it can involve any part of it, from the mouth to the anus. ... Coeliac disease (also called celiac disease, non-tropical sprue, c(o)eliac sprue, gluten enteropathy and gluten intolerance) is a digestive disorder in genetically-predisposed individuals. ... This page meets Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ... Behçet’s disease, (formerly known as Behçet’s syndrome), is a chronic condition that happens because of disturbances in the body’s immune system. ... Chemotherapy is the use of chemical substances to treat disease. ...

A common urban myth is that mouth ulcers are directly connected to the onset of the herpes simplex virus, but in reality ulcers associated with herpes (or cold sores) are of an entirely different nature from mouth ulcers. Urban Legend is also the name of a 1998 movie. ... The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a virus that manifests itself in two common viral infections, each marked by painful, watery blisters in the skin or mucous membranes (such as the mouth or lips) or on the genitals. ...

Unlike cold sores, mouth ulcers are not contagious.

Home treatment

Mouth ulcers normally heal without treatment within seven to ten days. The best start is to make sure you have good oral hygiene and avoid spicy/acidic/salty foods and drinks as they may irritate existing ulcers. In addition, one can treat the pain with several pain-relieving gels like Anbesol, Bonjela, Campho-Phenique, Orabase B, or Kanka, available in drugstores. Some people claim that such gels also accelerate the healing of their sores. Anbesol is an oral anesthetic gel. ... Bonjela is an oral gel, aimed to cure mouth ulcers and denture sores. ...

Use of a hydrogen peroxide antiseptic mouthwash can help to clean debris and bacteria that can accumulate in an ulcer, thus reducing complications associated with its presence. This treatment is widely available at pharmacies from companies such as Colgate, whose product is called Peroxyl. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a clear liquid, slightly more viscous than water, that has strong oxidizing properties and is therefore a powerful bleaching agent that has found use as a disinfectant, as an oxidizer, and in rocketry (particularly in high concentrations as high-test peroxide (HTP) as a monopropellant, and... Colgate redirects here. ...

Other home remedies vary in efficacy. Certain techniques heal sores for some people, but there are no treatments with widespread medical support. Most seem to be based on an antiseptic (mild antibiotic), an antacid, or both. Antiseptic techniques suggested include the following: A home remedy is a treatment or cure for a disease or other ailment that employs certain foods or other common household items. ...

• Gently clean the sores by roughening with a toothbrush and when clean, apply antiseptic
• Swab the sores with sea-buckthorn fruit oil or hydrogen peroxide
• Rinse the mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash (e.g. Listerine). This can relieve pain for a few hours.
• Pouring salt directly on the ulcer can prove effective, however this can be extremely painful and can scar. Avoiding pressure on the ulcer after applying the salt minimizes the pain.
• Apply glyoxide directly to the sores and swish around mouth
• Rinse the mouth with salt water—1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 cup (250 ml) of warm water (aka. a saline solution)
• Take Lysine-L supplements
• Rinse mouth and especially the affected area with sage tea 3 times a day. The improvement can be seen as early as within 24 hours.
• Paint half-strength gentian violet solution on sore.^[2]
• Gargle a mouthful of warm vinegar with half tablespoon of salt for about 30 secs, 3 times a day. Extremely painful but healing can be seen in about 2 days.

Antacid techniques suggested include the following: Species Hippophae rhamnoides Hippophae salicifolia Hippophae tibetana The Sea-buckthorns, also known as Seaberry or Sea Berry, are deciduous shrubs in the genus Hippophae, family Elaeagnaceae. ... Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a clear liquid, slightly more viscous than water, that has strong oxidizing properties and is therefore a powerful bleaching agent that has found use as a disinfectant, as an oxidizer, and in rocketry (particularly in high concentrations as high-test peroxide (HTP) as a monopropellant, and... Antiseptic mouth rinse, often called mouthwash, is an oral hygiene product that claims to kill the germs that cause plaque, gingivitis, and bad breath. ... Listerine is a brand name for antiseptic mouthwash, named after Joseph Lister (father of modern antiseptics). ... This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... In medicine saline is a solution of sodium chloride in sterile water, used commonly for intravenous infusion, cleaning contact lenses, and nasal irrigation or Jala Neti. ... Lysine is one of the 20 amino acids normally found in proteins. ... Methyl Violet 10B Gentian violet (crystal violet, Methyl Violet 10B, hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride) is an antifungal agent. ...

• Swab the sores with milk of magnesia
• Apply powdered alum directly to the sores—available in the spice aisle at your grocery store (this can be very painful, but is proven to work)
• Make a paste of baking soda and water—apply directly to the sores
• Make a paste of crushed Tums (antacid) and water—apply directly to the sores
• Rinse the mouth with a baking soda-Water mix—1 teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in 1 cup (250 ml) of warm water
• Avoid acidic foods such as tomato, citrus, and soft drinks

Combination therapies tell you to use the antiseptic first, and then the antacid, i.e., swab sores with hydrogen peroxide and then swab them with milk of magnesia. Milk of magnesia Mg(OH)2 is a saline-type laxative. ... A crystal of Alum Alum, in chemistry, is a term given to the crystallized double sulfates of the typical formula M+2SO4·M3+2(SO4)3·24H2O, where M+ is the sign of an alkali metal (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, or caesium), and M3+ denotes one of the trivalent metal... Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), or sodium hydrogen carbonate, also known as baking soda and bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble white anhydrous or crystalline compound, with a slight alkaline taste resembling that of sodium carbonate. ... An antacid is any substance that counteracts stomach acidity. ... Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), or sodium hydrogen carbonate, also known as baking soda and bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble white anhydrous or crystalline compound, with a slight alkaline taste resembling that of sodium carbonate. ...

A good temporary remedy for the pain of the canker sore is to numb the affected area with ice. Although this may cause intense pain in the beginning, it is highly effective and lasts for about half an hour, depending on the number of ice cubes used and the time spent using said ice cubes.

Treatment for severe cases

Treatments based on antibiotics and steroids like Dexamethasone Elixir are reserved for severe cases, and should be used only under medical supervision. Tetracycline suspension is a common antibiotic prescribed for mouth ulcers. Some doctors may also prescribe a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine, for cases of multiple or severe sores. If the ulcer does not heal within a week, a doctor or dentist may cauterize it using a silver nitrate applicator or laser. This procedure immediately burns off the sore, causing it to completely disappear within a few hours or two to three days. An antibiotic is a drug that kills or slows the growth of bacteria. ... A steroid is a lipid characterized by a carbon skeleton with four fused rings. ... This article deals with the specific antibiotic called Tetracycline. ... A local anesthetic is a drug that reversibly inhibits the propagation of signals along nerves. ... Lidocaine (INN) or lignocaine (former BAN) is a popular local anesthetic often used in dentistry or topically. ... Hot cauters were applied to tissues or arteries to stop them from bleeding. ... R-phrases , S-phrases , , , , Flash point non-flammable Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... Lasers range in size from microscopic diode lasers (top) with numerous applications, to football field sized neodymium glass lasers (bottom) used for inertial confinement fusion, nuclear weapons research and other physics experiments. ...

Some dentists recommend a sulphuric acid solution for treating mouth ulcers, such as debacterol. X-rays can reveal if a person has cavities Dentistry is the practical application of knowledge of dental science (the science of placement, arrangement, function of teeth and their supporting bones and soft tissues) to human beings. ... Sulfuric acid (British English: sulphuric acid), H2SO4, is a strong mineral acid. ... Debacterol is a liquid topical agent that is used in the treatment of ulcerating oral mucosal lesions. ...

The miracle cures that are advertised should be viewed with scepticism. However, aqueous sulphuric acid products as listed above can provide significant pain relief, if not treating the underlying causes.

Prevention

In some cases, switching toothpastes can prevent mouth ulcers from occurring, with some being able to reduce the occurrence of ulcers by approximately 80%. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (sometimes called sodium lauryl sulfate or simply SLS), a detergent found in most toothpastes, is thought to increase the incidence of mouth ulcers. Using toothpaste free of this compound has been found to help many people by reducing the amount and size of ulcers and in some cases, completely stopping them. A few individuals have noticed that switching to a toothpaste with baking soda prevented reoccurance of mouth ulcers. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS or NaDS) (CH3(CH2)11OSO3Na) (FW 288. ...

Many people have found that taking Lysine-L supplements can help to reduce the frequency of mouth ulcer appearances. Additionally, zinc deficiency has been observed in people with recurrent mouth ulcers, and zinc supplementation decreased recurrence of the mouth ulcers [3]. Lysine is one of the 20 amino acids normally found in proteins. ... General Name, Symbol, Number zinc, Zn, 30 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 12, 4, d Appearance bluish pale gray Atomic mass 65. ...

Some people have reported that the frequency of mouth ulcer occurrences decreased greatly after a particularly large amalgam tooth filling was replaced by some other kind of dental restoration. However, the connection between amalgam fillings and mouth ulcers is not universally accepted, and such replacement can be costly.

Dental braces are a common physical trauma that can lead to aphthous ulcers and can be treated with wax to reduce abrasion of the mucosa. Avoidance of other types of physical and chemical trauma will prevent some ulcers, but since such trauma is usually accidental, this type of prevention is not usually practical. Dental braces (also known as orthodontic braces or tooth braces) are a fixed appliance used in orthodontics to correct alignment of teeth and their position with regard to bite. ... The mucous membranes (or mucosa) are linings of ectodermic origin, covered in epithelium, that line various body cavities and internal organs. ...

Alternative Medicine

Chinese medicine points to one's diet or emotions as potential causes of such symptoms of 'heat in the mouth'. Greasy/fried foods or 'energetically hot' food (e.g. spicy food, alcohol) may also trigger mouth ulcers. Emotions such as anger, frustration, resentment, or stress can also impede the proper flow of one's energy and create 'heat' in the body, with such manifestations as canker sores, red eyes, sore throats, insomnia or constipation.

External links

• MayoClinic.com: Canker sore
• MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Canker sores
• Management of Aphthous Ulcers, American Family Physician