Ulcer is a wound in that mouth can heal by itselfhis within 7-14 days.Although it can heal on its own, canker sores can be painful and uncomfortable, especially if they recur frequently.
Everyone must have experienced canker sores in the mouth, gums, and tongue, in the medical world canker sores are known as recurrent aphthous stomatitis (SAR). These sores can be small or large and painful. About half of sufferers can re-experiencing canker sores within 3 months.
Thrush is more common in women. This is presumably because women experience hormonal changes more often than men.
Until now, the cause of canker sores is not known with certainty, but there are many factors that trigger the appearance of canker sores. These trigger factors can come from within the body or from outside the body.
Causes of thrush from outside the body
There are at least four factors from outside the body that are often the cause of canker sores. The four factors are:
1. Injury
Injury is the main cause of canker sores. Injuries to the inside of the mouth usually occur due to biting, the wrong way of brushing teeth, toothbrush bristles that are too rough, the use of braces or dentures, and due to injection of anesthetic before surgery in the mouth area.
2. Drugs
The drugs you take can also facilitate the appearance of canker sores. Drugs that can trigger canker sores include:
- Piroxicam
- Diclofenac
- Phenobarbital
- Captopril
3. Toothpaste contains sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
Use of toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) can trigger canker sores, because these substances can erode the lining of the mouth. the use of an SLS-free toothpaste can reduce the risk of canker sores.
4. Mwill and mdrink
Various types of food and drink are thought to react with the lining of the mouth and trigger canker sores. The food and drink in question are:
- Chocolate
- Peanuts
- Almond nut
- Cereals
- Strawberry fruit
- Tomato fruit
- Cheese
- Flour
- Milk
- Coffee
In addition to the foods and drinks above, preservatives and food coloring can also trigger canker sores.
Causes of thrush from within the body
In addition to external factors as described above, canker sores can also be caused by a number of factors from within the body itself, which include:
1. Descendants
Having a parent or sibling who often has thrush will increase a person's risk, severity, and frequency of canker sores recurrence. Nearly 50% of people who often suffer from canker sores have a family who also often has canker sores.
2. Knutritional deficiency
There are many studies that prove that a lack of iron, folic acid, zinc, or vitamins B1, B2, B6, and B12 can cause canker sores. The cause of a lack of these substances can be due to insufficient intake or there are problems with absorption of nutrients in the intestines.
3. Stress
Stress is the body's response to environmental influences that can interfere with health, including triggering the appearance of canker sores. Some studies say that people who often suffer from canker sores have higher stress levels than people who rarely get thrush.
It is not known why stress can trigger canker sores. However, it is suspected that the cause is the habit of biting your lips or biting your nails during times of stress, which can cause sores on the inside of your mouth.
4. Hormonal changes
Especially for women, hormonal changes such as during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause often cause canker sores. In addition, using birth control pills or injectable birth control can also cause canker sores.
So that canker sores do not recur frequently, as much as possible avoid the factors that cause canker sores above. And if canker sores do not go away for more than two weeks or feel very painful, immediately consult a doctor for examination and treatment.
Written by:
drg. Rani Handayani, SpPM(Dentist Oral Disease Specialist)