Understand what causes mouth ulcers and possible treatments

Technically called aphthous stomatitis in the mouth, but popularly known as mouth ulcer, it is a lesion that appears through small white or yellowish wounds, surrounded by a reddish area.

Although it is not exclusive to the cheek — it can also appear on the roof of the mouth and even in the throat, this is the most common type.

But what causes mouth ulcers? How long does it take for her to come out? And what to do to cure it? Understand below.

What are canker sores?

A cold sore is an ulcerative lesion that can occur on the lining of the mouth, including the tongue, inner cheeks, lips and roof of the mouth.

This is a common problem that can affect people of all ages, although it is more common in teenagers and young adults.

They are usually painful and uncomfortable. They have a whitish or yellowish appearance with a reddish border.

Symptoms usually begin with sensations of pain or burning, followed by a cold sore that appears within 1 or 2 days. There is no bubble formation in this process.

Are mouth ulcers contagious?

Canker sores inside the mouth are not contagious. They are not transmitted from one person to another through direct contact, like a cold or a viral infection.

Canker sores are wounds or ulcers that develop on the lining of the mouth due to various factors, such as trauma, stress, nutritional deficiencies or other individual triggers.

However, it is important to mention that some health conditions that can cause mouth ulcers, such as the herpes simplex virus (which can cause cold sores), can be contagious if there is direct contact with the sore or blister fluid.

But canker sores themselves are not contagious. They are an intraoral condition that is not transmitted through casual contact with another person.

Main causes of mouth ulcers

According to the Ministry of Health, the possible causes of mouth ulcers are not yet completely understood, as there are other oral conditions that may present similar initial symptoms.

However, some factors that may be related to the appearance of these lesions include stress, inadequate nutrition, lesions in the oral region or hormonal changes.

See below.

Stress

Emotional stress is a common trigger for the development of canker sores. The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it is thought that stress can weaken the immune system.

As a consequence, this can trigger inflammation in the oral mucosa, leading to the appearance of canker sores.

Inadequate nutrition

Inadequate nutrition can also influence mouth ulcers, especially chocolate, coffee, peanuts, eggs, cereals, almonds, strawberries, cheese and tomatoes.

In general, spicy foods, citrus or acidic fruits and substances or medications that burn can also cause mouth ulcers.

Another indirect aspect of nutrition that can influence the appearance is stomach reflux as well.

Lesions in the oral region

Trauma to the mouth, such as accidental bites, aggressive tooth brushing or the use of orthodontic appliances that cause constant friction, can injure the oral mucosa.

Poorly positioned teeth in the dental arch, fractured restorations, decayed teeth, poorly adapted dentures, among others, can also be causes of this injury. All of this can create an environment conducive to the development of canker sores.

Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause, may be associated with the appearance of canker sores in some people.

Hormonal fluctuations can affect the sensitivity of the oral mucosa and trigger the appearance of canker sores.

How long does a mouth ulcer last?

In general, mouth ulcers disappear approximately 10 to 14 days after their appearance, without leaving marks in the mouth.

The process usually begins with sensations of pain or burning in the affected area. Then the wound itself forms within 1 to 2 days.

It grows until it reaches its maximum size, which usually occurs within the first few days after its emergence. During this phase, the cold sore can be painful and uncomfortable.

After reaching its maximum size, the cold sore begins to heal. The length of this phase can vary, but it usually takes about 7 to 14 days for the cold sore to heal completely.

How to cure mouth ulcers?

As it is a common and uncomplicated problem, no matter how uncomfortable it may be, treating a mouth with mouth ulcers is usually simple: wait for the lesion to pass for a period of 2 weeks.

However, if the problem persists, it is recommended to seek health services or a professional in the field for a more rigorous evaluation.