Question: My 38-year-old son, who has been working in Qatar for the last ten years, often complains of recurring mouth ulcers. The condition remains the same despite taking vitamin supplements and including leafy vegetables and papaya in the diet. Even though the ulcer seems to subside a bit when the supplements are taken, they recur within a few days. The sores that appear in one part of the mouth soon spread to other parts, too. Sometimes, he cannot swallow food as sores occur in the throat, too. He will reach Kerala soon and has plans to seek treatment. What is the mode of treatment that is effective for this condition?
Answer: Mouth ulcers aren’t rare and should not appear more than once a year. These are less than 10 mm in diameter and can be seen on any mouth part except the upper hard palate. Moreover, these appear at different spots each time and will be healed in 10 – 14 days. In rare conditions, ulcers larger than 10 mm appear. These ulcers can be extremely painful and take at least a month to heal. In rare situations, ulcers appear in painful groups that take months to heal. Your letter makes it unclear what type of mouth ulcers occur in your son. So, it is difficult to diagnose the exact reason.
Mouth ulcers are mostly seen in financially stable people who suffer from severe stress. Genetics is a main factor. Wounds or blisters caused by sharp teeth or hard toothbrushes are another reason for recurring mouth ulcers. Other causes of mouth ulcers are deficiency of certain vitamins and micronutrients and low body immunity. Besides, mouth ulcers tend to appear in tobacco addicts when they stop using tobacco.
Meanwhile, those who consume too much packaged food, fast food, dishes that are loaded with masala and spices, acidic food items, carbonated drinks or eat piping hot food often complain of recurring mouth ulcers. If not accompanied by other symptoms like extreme weight loss, exhaustion, loss of appetite, constant fever, joint pain, recurrent dysentery, bloody stool or blisters on genitals, mouth ulcers may not be an indicator of any serious diseases. You could consult a dentist to ensure that there isn’t any sharp tooth that causes wounds. Using a soft toothbrush gently, too, could help. Giving up unhealthy eating habits and reducing stress could help prevent mouth ulcers. Meanwhile, some painkillers and medicines for high blood pressure may cause mouth ulcers. If the mouth ulcers do not subside or disappear even after these significant lifestyle changes, do not hesitate to consult a doctor for a detailed checkup.