Mouth Ulcers

As I am suffering from one painful and very much dreaded ulcer on the interior of my lower lips, thus I did a research on it. Found a website which wrote the following:
(Hope you find it enriching)

Why am I so prone to mouth ulcers?
A primary reason is stress and insufficient rest, for instance you're having too many late nights or you're working too hard. Stress causes your body's immune system to deal less well with bacteria, and there are plenty of bacteria in the mouth. People with chronic anemia, gastrointestinal disorders or constipation tend to get ulcers often

Can certain foods cause ulcers?There are people who get ulcers if they eat spicy food, or snack too much on salted nuts and potato chips. Ingredients in food preservatives, like benzoic or sorbic acid, can cause an allergic reaction that results in a mouth ulcer for some. Others may be sensitive to something in the food, such as gluten, or to citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, which may be too acidic for them.

How long should a mouth ulcer last?It should go away within one week. Any ulcer lasting longer than two weeks should be seen to by a doctor. He will probably prescribe topical steroids or oral antibiotics to treat the cause, not just the ulcer. Consult him, too, if you have more than four ulcers at any one time or if you get ulcers very often.

Besides stress, what are the other reasons?When the skin in your mouth is traumatised ­ if you accidentally bite or cut your lip, for instance, or a toothbrush knocks against your gums. Ulcers can recur if you have metal braces or ill-fitting dentures, or if you have dental problems like a chipped tooth or uneven filling. Constant irritation is unhealthy, so see a dentist if these problems bother you

Is it normal to get two or three ulcers at a time?Most mouth ulcers appear singly, but occasionally they come in small clusters. The size of an ulcer can range from a pinhead to a five-cent coin. Ulcers stay in one place ­ they are not infectious and they don¹t spread within the mouth. But it often happens that when you have an ulcer on the lip, say, you tend to bite the same spot because it¹s swollen. This can cause the ulcer to become bigger, or you can get another ulcer.

Do mouth ulcers appear only on the lips and gums?Ulcers can also appear on the tongue, inside the cheeks and even on the soft palate or roof of your mouth. Ulcers in these places tend to be more painful. How do I prevent mouth ulcers from recurring?Have adequate rest, avoid spicy foods, stay away from coffee ­ these are just some of the steps to take if you always seem to be getting ulcers. When brushing your teeth, try not to be too vigorous, and avoid using a toothbrush with hard bristles. You can also boost your immune system by taking a Vitamin B complex.


What can I do to relieve the pain?Ulcers take about one or two weeks to heal completely but the pain mostly lasts just two or three days. For pain relief, try:

Glycerine ­ it soothes the pain. Apply every hour or so.

Bonjela ­ the cool gel may sting a little but it¹s a good antiseptic. Use every two or three hours.

Tea tree oil ­ it soothes and helps prevent the ulcer from getting bigger. Pour a drop onto a cotton bud and apply on the area three or four times a day.

Listerine ­ an effective anti-bacterial mouthwash. Wash as often as you can.

Choline Salicylate cream ­ ask the pharmacist to recommend one. Apply on the fingertips and rub gently on the ulcer three or four times a day.

Wet teabags ­ Tannin is mildly astringent and relieves pain ­ apply on the ulcer.

Yoghurt ­ it helps get rid of mouth bacteria. Look for one that'sunsweetened.

Vitamin C ­ take 500 milligrams three times a day for three days at the first sign of a mouth ulcer.Avoid salty and acidic foods because they irritate the sore.

You should also take lots of fluids and get more rest.

See a doctor if:

The mouth ulcer is so severe that even taking fluids causes pain.

You have four ulcers or moreat the same time.

Your ulcers keep recurring.

The ulcer is painless yet doesn't go away­ it could be a symptom of cancer or syphilis, a sexually transmitteddisease.