Aphthous on the tongue – causes and treatment of aphthous stomatitis. How to prevent canker sores?

Proven content

An aphthous ulcer occurs, for example, on the mucosa of the tongue. Sores can appear for a variety of reasons related to vitamin deficiency, irritation and colds. Genes also influence their formation. In the treatment of aphthae, astringent and drying preparations as well as topical glucocorticosteroids are used.

Afta – definition

Afta is an inflammation that occurs along with ulceration on the mucosa of the lips and tongue. Aphthas are a chronic and recurring disease that can sometimes make eating, drinking and speaking difficult. The aphthas most often appear inside the mouth, on the skin fold that connects the cheeks with the gums. They can appear singly or in larger groups. Ulcers are 1 mm to 2 cm in diameter. This unpleasant ailment may last up to 3 weeks.

Important! Afta is not contagious (unlike cold sores).

Aphthas occurring in approximately 4,3% of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, and in the following conditions:

1. gastrointestinal diseases (ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease);
2. hematological diseases (pernicious anemia, iron deficiency, folic acid deficiency);
3. immunodeficiency (HIV, immunosuppressive therapy);
4. Behcet’s syndrome.

Dig. 31.2. Tongue aphthae

Etiolology of aphthae and their types

The causes of canker sores are not clear-cut, they are distinguished depending on their size.

Minor canker sores are chronic and recurrent, and are more common in adults. The reasons for the formation:

1. caries – if you have a problem with it, think about fluoridation,
2. outgoing eights,
3. tartar,
4. lack of oral hygiene: biting nails, eating with dirty cutlery, eating unwashed vegetables and fruit,
5. irritation of the oral cavity, e.g. during surgery at the dentist’s,
6. allergy,
7. stress,
8. genetics and family factors (if there have been cases of aphthae in the family, there is a very good chance that they will also occur in children),
9. the use of strong antibiotics,
10. poorly selected prosthesis.

What if canker sores bother us more than year to year? This could indicate aphthous stomatitis (recurrent aphthosis for short).

Large canker sores and their causes:

1. eating certain foods: nuts, hard cheese,
2. lack of oral hygiene,
3. hormonal disorders,
4. using toothpastes that contain sodium dodecyl sulfate,
5. lack of basic minerals in the diet (iron, folic acid, vitamin B12),
6. HIV infection,
7. the herpes virus can cause canker sores.

Aphthas – symptoms

In the oral cavity, ulcers form on the mucosa, which start to become covered with a white coating after about 2 days. In addition to ulcerations, small mouth ulcers are characterized by enlarged lymph nodes (sore ulcers disappear within eight days). On the other hand, large canker sores can run together with erosions on the oral mucosa, which are quite deep and heal within 3-4 weeks, unfortunately they leave scars.

It happens that aphthas are accompanied by swelling in the mouth. Patients complain of discomfort and increased sensitivity to touch (canker sores cause pain). Afty is an unpleasant ailment that really gets in the way of everyday life. Even such mundane activities as brushing teeth, eating salty or acidic dishes and drinking hot coffee / tea cause pain and frustration at the same time. Fortunately, most ulcers disappear after a few days.

Location of the aft

Aphthas occur on the surface of the oral mucosa: lips and cheeks, soft palate, tip of the tongue, frenulum, floor of the mouth, tonsils. Noticing aphthae on the gums and palate requires a wide mouth opening and the use of a flashlight. Usually, a second person is asked for help, because the person concerned is not able to notice the lesions himself.

How to treat canker sores?

The aphthas are treated topically with the use of drying agents and astringents, antibiotic solutions (e.g. 5% tetracycline solution), topical glucocorticosteroids. Symptoms may also improve with sage infusions (mouthwash). Usually, canker sores disappear within 1-4 weeks. In some cases, your doctor may order tests to distinguish between aphthous stomatitis from herpes and secondary bacterial infection. In addition, patients should always consult a physician if painful mouth ulcers occur more than once a year and when it is necessary to rule out systemic complaints that may increase the risk of aphthas.

What if nothing helps? Are you following oral hygiene, are you careful, and the canker sores continue to appear? This is a sign that you need to see a dentist. The dentist often suggests patients to use various rinses, as well as coagulants and painkillers. Lubricating the canker with a disinfectant ointment may be effective. Unfortunately, in the case of severe aphthae, there is antibiotic therapy and even steroids …

Home remedies for canker sores

1. Rinsing the mouth with an infusion of rose water reduces inflammation. Rose water can be replaced with chamomile or medicinal burdock.
2. Putting a cooled tea bag in place of aphtha can dry it out and relieve pain.
3. Rinsing the aphthous with baking soda and water (prepare 1 teaspoon of baking soda and dissolve it in a glass of lukewarm water). The prepared solution must not be swallowed.
4. Ulcer disinfection with hydrogen peroxide (you can, for example, soak a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide, and then put it in the place where the canker is located).
5. Decontamination of aphthae with baking powder and baking soda. Gently lubricate the ulcer with the resulting mass.
6. Rinsing the mouth with a saline solution with water.
7. The use of over-the-counter preparations, eg Apthin, Mucosit gel, has an anesthetic effect on aphthae. We also recommend SeptOral Profilactic toothpaste for bleeding gums and for local application – SeptOral Med gel for irritated oral mucosa. You can buy both preparations at promotional prices on Medonet Market.
8. Yoghurt in which there is lactic acid work well on aphthae located in the mouth. Thanks to this, the bacteria achieve the optimal pH composition in the mouth. It is recommended to eat at least 1 yoghurt a day.

What should you be aware of when treating canker sores?

During treatment, patients should:

1. put aside hot drinks,
2. give up hot dishes,
3. give up alcohol,
4. give up eating chocolate,
5. set aside any citrus
6. give up salty, acidic and spicy foods and those that irritate the oral cavity.

It is also important that the diet of patients suffering from aphthae is full of vitamin. B12, zinc and vitamins A, C, E. It is also recommended to eat a lot of yoghurts, fruits and vegetables that strengthen immunity (beans, garlic, onions) or yeast in which there is vitamin B. Borage seed extracts are also helpful , shark liver oil or ginseng.

Prevention of aphthas

In the prevention of aphthas, the most important role is played by:

1. taking care of oral hygiene (canker sores may arise, for example, as a result of using the wrong toothpaste); it is also worth replacing a too hard toothbrush with a softer one;
2. each time you wash cutlery and dishes;
3. washing fruits and vegetables before eating;
4. diet – pay attention to the consumed products and the type of food that may be a potential cause of canker sores; among the products that increase the risk of this unpleasant ailment, there are: seafood, chocolate, strawberries, pineapples. Instead of these products, it is worth including more milk, yoghurt and vitamins (A, C, E), iron and zinc in the diet, which provide the body with ingredients that help in getting rid of canker sores;
5. avoiding products that irritate the mucosa;
6. avoiding stress (reduces the risk of aphthae).

Source: A. Kaszuba, Z. Adamski “Practitioner’s guide. Dermatology”; XNUMXst edition, Czelej Publishing House