If you have ever experienced sharp pain in your mouth while eating or drinking hot drinks, especially if you're a teenager, you should read this...

In this precise article, you're going to learn how to :

1. Differentiate between the three major ulcer types and their causative agents

2. Prevention of these types of Ulcers

3. The one type of ulcer to aviod getting at all costs

My mouth burns! 

These were the words that came out from Tunde's mouth with a slurry voice you had to concentrate carefully in order to hear him

He repeated the same words again, with spit drooling from the corners of his mouth

After taking him inside the consultation cubicle, he writes what he feels and answers questions via the pen so he doesn't drool everywhere

See Tunde had a couple of lesions on his tongue and the sides of his mouth which made talking, eating, even drinking of hot water an annoying chore and experience.

These lesions (small injuries in the mouth) had appeared over night and were a torn in his flesh 

After the checkup, the solution was easy to come about as his wasn't as a result of a disease

So what are these lesions?

They are basically mouth ulcers.

Many people suffer from recurrent ulcers in the mouth.

These can be extremely painful. The most common form is called minor aphthous ulceration (MIAU). 

Teenagers are most frequently affected, though many experience their first lesions well outside this age range.

Usually one to five small ulcers appear (less than 1mm in diameter) on the inside of lips or cheeks, floor of the mouth or tongue. The ulcers tend to be concentrated towards the front of the mouth. Prior to the ulcers appearing, you may experience a burning or prickling sensation.

The ulcers are painful, particularly if the tongue is involved and may make speaking and eating difficult. 

The course of these ulcers varies from a few days to a little over two weeks, but most commonly they last for about 10 days.

Some minor trauma such as vigorous toothbrushing or an irregular filling can be precipitating factors.

Mouth ulcers can also be precipitated by stress, illness, hormonal changes, menstruation and deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron and folic acid. 

Other more serious causes of mouth ulcers include herpes infection, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and immune disorders. A more severe form of oral ulceration, called Major Aphthous Ulceration (MJAU) can affect any part of the oral mucosa, including the soft palate and the tonsillor area, and can extend into the oropharynx. The ulcers are larger than those seen in MIAU and last longer, up to periods of months in some cases.

There are other forms of oral ulceration, where, for example, the ulceration may be part of a syndrome involving ulceration of the eyes, genitalia, the nervous system and joints. Because the cause of these ulcers is not known prevention is difficult.

It is important to seek the advice of a dentist who may decide to refer the more severe cases to a specialist in oral medicine for more thorough investigation.

Maintenance of a high level of oral hygiene will reduce the likelihood of secondary infection when ulcers are present; this of course can prove difficult since patients may find toothbrushing too painful.

Covering agents, some containing choline salicylate, are also available though they can be difficult to apply. They also may be difficult to keep in place, for example inside the lips and on the tongue due to constant movement. 

Use of antiseptics, for example chlorhexdine mouthwash, are reported to be helpful by some patients.

Topical steroids can also provide relief. In some females there is complete remission from aphthous ulcers during pregnancy. Hence hormonal therapy has been tried with varied success. Local anaesthetic lozenges have been used as a last resort to give the patient some relief for example, when eating.

So if in doubt which of the above ulcers you suffer from, get in touch with your dentist immediately for assistance.