Don’t Ignore That Painful Mouth Sore

Mouth ulcers are sores that appear in the mouth. The most common mouth sores are aphthous ulcers, most of which measure less than 1cm in diameter. A single or multiple ulcers can appear on the inside of the cheeks, lips, tongue, gums and roof of the mouth (palate). They are typically well-defined, painful and shallow, and may recover even without intervention.

Signs of Mouth Cancer

Mouth ulcers may signal a more severe condition: cancer of the mouth. Warning signs include ulcers that do not heal after three weeks, bleeding from the ulcer, red or white patches on or around the ulcer, and the presence of enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.

Mouth cancers are most commonly found on the lateral edge of the tongue, but they can also arise in the cheek, gums, palate and tonsils. Mouth cancers are associated with smoking, alcohol intake, betel nut-chewing and poor dental hygiene. There is also increased incidence of mouth cancers that are linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), especially cancers involving the tonsils.

How to Treat

There can be many causes for mouth ulcers, and treatment should be directed accordingly.

Cause: Trauma (accidental biting of tongue or cheek)
Treatment: Smooth out sharp teeth; fix or replace poor-fitting dentures

Cause: Iron or vitamin B deficiency
Treatment: Iron or vitamin B supplements; consume foods rich in iron and vitamin B

Cause: Chemical or thermal injury (contact with hot liquids or foods)
Treatment: Avoid foods that irritate your mouth, including acidic or spicy foods

Cause: Tumours (mouth cancers)
Diagnosis and treatment: A biopsy is necessary to confirm that your oral ulcer is caused by cancer. Imaging scans are required to check the extent of the tumour and determine the stage of the disease. Early stage (Stage I and II) oral cancers are best treated with surgery, while radiation therapy is added for later stages (Stage III and IV). Early stage oropharyngeal cancers such as those of the tonsil can usually be effectively treated with radiation therapy alone. Chemotherapy is given concurrently with radiotherapy for patients with advanced stage cancer.

Other Causes

• Infection (herpes, HIV, hand, foot and mouth disease, fungal infection)
• Autoimmune disease or inflammatory conditions (Behcet’s disease, lichen planus, systemic lupus erythematosus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome)

Non-specific Causes

Some oral ulcers, such as recurrent aphthous ulcers, may not have obvious causes. Treatment is focused on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and managing secondary infection.

Antiseptic mouthwashes containing benzydamine or chlorhexidine solutions can reduce inflammation and secondary infection.

Topical corticosteroids come in the form of paste or gel. Useful for allaying pain and inflammation, they are most effective when applied during the onset of the ulcer. Topical anaesthetics (such as xylocaine gel) provide quick pain relief but are limited by their short duration of action.

Preventing Mouth Ulcers

• Practise good dental hygiene
• Use a good-quality toothbrush that does not cause trauma during brushing
• Maintain a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Get enough rest and exercise
• Avoid smoking, drinking and betel nut-chewing