Causes
The exact cause of mouth ulcers is unknown, but in some cases they are thought to be caused by an overreaction by the body's own immune system. Factors that appear to provoke them include stress, fatigue, illness, injury from accidental biting, hormonal changes, menstruation, food allergies and deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron and folic acid. Some drugs, e.g. nicorandil, have been linked with mouth ulcers.
Canker sores are thought to form when the body becomes aware of and attacks chemicals which it does not recognize. The presence of the unrecognized molecules garners a reaction by the lymphocytes, which trigger a reaction that causes the damage of a canker sore.
Trauma to the mouth is a common cause of mouth ulcers. Physical trauma, such as toothbrush abrasion, poking with sharp food, accidental biting, or dental braces can cause mouth ulcers by breaking the mucous membrane. Other factors such as chemical irritants or thermal injury may also lead to the development of ulcers. In many cases, the precise cause is unknown.
A common cause of ulcers is gluten intolerance, in which case consumption of wheat, rye or barley can result in chronic mouth ulcers. If gluten intolerance is the cause, prevention means taking most breads, pastas, cakes, pies, cookies, scones, biscuits, beers etc. out of the diet and substituting gluten-free varieties where available. Artificial sugars, such as those found in diet cola and sugarless gum have been reported as causes of mouth ulcers as well.
Other disorders can cause mouth ulcers, including oral thrush, leukoplakia, gingivostomatitis and oral lichen planus. Mouth ulcers are also associated with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, coeliac disease (gluten sensitivity), bullous pemphigoid, and Behçet's disease. Repeat episodes of mouth ulcers can also be indicative of an immunodeficiency, signalling low levels of immunoglobulin in the mucous membrane of the mouth. Chemotherapy is a common cause of mouth ulcers. The treatment depends on the cause.
A common urban myth is that mouth ulcers are directly connected to the onset of the herpes simplex virus, but in reality ulcers associated with herpes (or cold sores) are of an entirely different nature from mouth ulcers.
Unlike cold sores, mouth ulcers are not contagious.
[source: wikipedia]
Canker sores are thought to form when the body becomes aware of and attacks chemicals which it does not recognize. The presence of the unrecognized molecules garners a reaction by the lymphocytes, which trigger a reaction that causes the damage of a canker sore.
Trauma to the mouth is a common cause of mouth ulcers. Physical trauma, such as toothbrush abrasion, poking with sharp food, accidental biting, or dental braces can cause mouth ulcers by breaking the mucous membrane. Other factors such as chemical irritants or thermal injury may also lead to the development of ulcers. In many cases, the precise cause is unknown.
A common cause of ulcers is gluten intolerance, in which case consumption of wheat, rye or barley can result in chronic mouth ulcers. If gluten intolerance is the cause, prevention means taking most breads, pastas, cakes, pies, cookies, scones, biscuits, beers etc. out of the diet and substituting gluten-free varieties where available. Artificial sugars, such as those found in diet cola and sugarless gum have been reported as causes of mouth ulcers as well.
Other disorders can cause mouth ulcers, including oral thrush, leukoplakia, gingivostomatitis and oral lichen planus. Mouth ulcers are also associated with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, coeliac disease (gluten sensitivity), bullous pemphigoid, and Behçet's disease. Repeat episodes of mouth ulcers can also be indicative of an immunodeficiency, signalling low levels of immunoglobulin in the mucous membrane of the mouth. Chemotherapy is a common cause of mouth ulcers. The treatment depends on the cause.
A common urban myth is that mouth ulcers are directly connected to the onset of the herpes simplex virus, but in reality ulcers associated with herpes (or cold sores) are of an entirely different nature from mouth ulcers.
Unlike cold sores, mouth ulcers are not contagious.
[source: wikipedia]
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