Mouth sores; It is the name given to mucosal damage that occurs in the inner part of the mouth and cheeks, gums, tongue and sublingual and palate areas. When these wounds become inflamed and cause swelling, they are called aphtha. Wounds in the mouth may be caused by viruses such as herpes, or they may occur due to damage to the inside of the mouth due to bacterial infections and consumption of hard foods. It is a very common health problem and is usually a simple condition that heals on its own within a few days. It is quite easy to understand whether the situation is serious or not. If mouth sores recur repeatedly or do not heal within a few days and continue to grow and worsen, there is a high probability that there is a different underlying disease. Therefore, while treating the wound, it should also be investigated whether there is a different disease. Oral wounds are more common in babies and children due to inadequate oral care or damage to the mouth during food consumption. As a result of the research, it has been determined that the incidence of mouth sores is higher in women than in men.

What are the symptoms of mouth sores?

Mouth sores appear as wounds that appear within 1-2 days, develop quickly, and usually heal within a few days. The symptoms seen in this process can be listed as follows:

Red-looking sores inside the mouth
Inflammation in the wound area
Swelling, pain and tenderness in the wound area
Difficulty in speaking and chewing due to pain and stinging sensation in the wound area
Feeling of pain while brushing teeth
decreased appetite
Sore throat
Fire

What causes mouth sores?

Mouth sores can sometimes occur spontaneously due to stress and psychological factors. Apart from these situations, there are certain reasons that play a role in its formation. Misbehaviors and some health problems that play a role in the formation of these wounds are as follows:

Genetic and systemic diseases
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
drug use
hormonal changes
Food and drug allergies
Consuming excessively cold and hot foods
Insufficient oral care and cleaning
Consumption of alcoholic and acidic beverages
smoking
Use of chemical-containing toothpaste and similar oral care products that are not suitable for health
Defects in the structure of teeth and gums
Having a weak immune system
Bacterial and viral infections
Consumption of hard foods that may cause scratching inside the mouth

How are mouth sores diagnosed?

Mouth sores can be easily diagnosed visually if the wound is not in the back of the mouth. For this, it is sufficient for the patient to examine the area where he/she feels pain in front of a mirror. If the wound occurs in areas close to the palate or throat, these wounds can be easily seen with the help of the equipment used by dentists. In case of mouth wounds that do not heal within a few days, cause pain and pain above normal, cause bleeding and fever, a dentist should be consulted without delay. During the examination by the dentist, the size of the wound and the treatment method to be preferred are determined and the cause of the wound is investigated. In case of infection, if deemed necessary, oral culture is taken and laboratory examinations are performed, the microbiological agent causing the infection is determined and antibiotic or antiviral treatment is started. Minor injuries in the mouth may also be observed in the post-rhinoplasty process. It only takes a few days. Or, minor stress-related injuries may occur, but this does not mean a risk of mouth sores.

What is good for mouth sores and how is it treated?

Mouth wounds that are small, simple and do not affect daily life much heal quickly with simple measures that can be taken at home and the use of mouthwash. It is of great importance to consult a dentist for larger wounds. Mouth sores, especially when they occur in children, can cause loss of appetite and difficulty in eating and lead to retardation in growth and development. Therefore, it needs to be treated as soon as possible. If your dentist does not recommend a different treatment, you can choose some home treatment methods by consulting your doctor. Some of the natural treatments for mouth ulcer care at home include:

Baking Soda: Due to its antibacterial properties and healing effect on wounds, baking soda is one of the frequently preferred home care methods for healing mouth wounds. You can gargle with this water, which you have prepared by mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a small amount of water. If the wound is located close to the lip, you can apply the water on the injured area with the help of a cloth.
Sage: Sage tea, which has positive effects on healing infections, is an oral