Treating Mouth Ulcers in Molesey

A mouth ulcer can be quite painful and uncomfortable. But you need not suffer for long if you have it checked and treated by your Molesey dentist.

Almost everyone will have a mouth ulcer. They are more common in females than males and for people aged 40 and below. Mouth ulcers can actually be classified in three types:

• Minor mouth ulcers: most common and account for about 80 percent of all mouth ulcers. These sores measure 2-8 mm (diameter) and usually heal in two weeks. No scarring will occur on the site after it has healed.
• Major mouth ulcers: larger and deeper with irregular, raised borders. They are relatively bigger, measuring an average of 1cm. Healing could take several weeks and scarring is present in most cases. This type is not common, accounting for just about 10 percent of mouth sores.
• Herpetiform mouth ulcers: form multiple sores ranging from 5 – 100. They are irregularly-shaped and fuse together to form larger sores.

There are different causes for these mouth ulcers. They could include stress, oral trauma, anxiety and hormonal changes. Recurrent mouth ulcers, on the other hand, could indicate underlying medical conditions such as vitamin B12 deficiency, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease and iron deficiency.

When you visit your dentist, your mouth ulcers will be checked and the reason for them will be determined. For minor ulcers, your dentist could prescribe antimicrobial mouthwash or even a corticosteroid to lessen the pain.

In addition, your dentist will recommend preventive steps to avoid their recurrence such as good oral hygiene, reducing stress and eating food rich in vitamins. Of course, a regular visit to the dentist will also be helpful.

If your mouth ulcers have not yet healed in three weeks, it will probably be wise to consult your Molesey dentist to make sure that it is not a symptom of a more serious health condition.