Mouth sores are no fun, as they make brushing, eating or taking beverages hard because they’re painful. Health experts say that mouth sores are common conditions that affect many people at some point in their lives. These sores can appear on any of the soft tissues of your mouth, for instance, the lips, cheeks, gums, and tongue.
The sores also cause a blistering or tingling sensation in the surrounding area. In some cases, even swallowing and breathing causes pain.
According to Medical News Today, sores form due to underlying health conditions. As some mouth sores can be contagious and may require treatment, anyone who is concerned about chronic or long-lasting sores should speak to a doctor.
"Most mouth sores occur as a result of irritation. Many things can irritate the mouth and lead to sores, including, poorly fitting dentures, a sharp or broken tooth, braces or other devices, such as retainers, burning the mouth on hot food or beverages and tobacco products,” the website states.
Dr AbduKadir Mamataliev, a dentist at Deva Medical Center-Nyarutarama, says that a number of health conditions and diseases could also cause mouth sores, for example, candidiasis, which is an infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida. When the candida yeast spreads in the mouth and throat, it can cause an infection called thrush. It’s most common in new-borns and the elderly. The fungal infection causes white and red patches to appear in the mouth.
He also says that lichen planus is another cause of mouth sores. It is a common disease that causes inflammation (swelling and irritation) on the skin or inside the mouth.
"Autoimmune disorders are also to be aware of, these occur when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Also, herpes simplex can trigger cold sores on the mouth and also produce genital sores,” Dr Mamataliev says.
He adds that chronic canker sores can also be a cause, these are painful sores or ulcers inside the mouth that normally begin in childhood and recur frequently, and also gingivostomatitis, which is a common infection of the mouth and gums. The main symptoms are mouth or gum swelling, blisters and pain.
Dr Mamataliev notes that other conditions include, hand, foot, and mouth disease, which is common in children and causes small, painful red patches to appear on these parts of the body.
Also be aware of leukoplakia, which causes white-grey patches to appear almost anywhere in the mouth. Most leukoplakia patches are non-cancerous, but some show early signs of cancer. They may be caused by tobacco products.
And oral cancer, this develops in any of the parts that make up the mouth (oral cavity), like the tissues of the mouth or throat. It belongs to a larger group of cancers termed head and neck cancers.
Dr Gilbert Nuwagaba, experienced in adult and paediatric dentistry, says that if mouth sores don’t last more than two weeks, there is nothing to worry about and will disappear on their own. But if they are persistent or strangely painful, seek medical care.
He also notes that there are home remedies that can help heal these wounds, such as rinsing with salt water, using mouthwash, refraining from using tobacco products, evading alcohol, applying baking soda and water to the sore, eliminating hot or spicy foods from your diet, taking oral pain relievers and brushing your teeth gently.
Dr Nuwagaba explains that if you visit a healthcare provider for your mouth sores, they may recommend a pain medication, anti-inflammatory drug, or steroid gel. If your mouth sores are a result of a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, your healthcare provider might offer medication to treat the infection.