What
causes mouth ulcers?
There are many possible causes, which is one of the reasons
that these painful little sores are not that easy to resolve.
One of the most common and obvious causes is a dental problem,
such as ill-fitting dentures, sharp edges to the teeth, biting
inside of mouth whilst eating, etc. Food intolerances may
also contribute, so check for digestive disturbances.
Slightly less obvious is a problem with immune function, possibly
caused by lack of sleep and poor diet. This can lead to oral
thrush, which weakens the membranes inside the mouth.
Hormonal changes are known to play a part in some cases of
mouth ulcers, so they may pop up repeatedly during menstruation
or the menopause.
|
Check for
• Poor diet – junk food, eating on the
run, no fresh fruit and vegetables
• Digestive problems such as thrush, constipation,
indigestion, bloating
• Signs of low immune function such as frequent
colds
• Poor oral hygiene, through lack of brushing
or flossing
• Damage to the lining of the mouth through
over-conscientious cleaning
|
If
the ulcer is more than 1cm in diameter or has been present
persistently for more than 14 days, you should always check
with your doctor.
| Remedies
• Echinacea to boost immune function. Echinacea
can also be used in the form of a toothpaste
• Vitamin B and C supplements
• Iron and zinc supplements
• Dentaforce, sprayed
onto the ulcer to relieve pain and speed healing
• Improved diet, including more wholefoods and
fresh fruit and veg, and less processed foods and
sugar
|
| What
to do now
• Work on your immune system – get adequate
sleep and use Echinacea
• Work on your diet – fresh, not processed
• Use Dentaforce mouthspray.
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