
Nutritional deficiencies and infections are the common contributing factors for blisters in the mouth and throat. This write-up provides information on causes and remedies for mouth sores.
Mouth sores or blisters could be caused due to a variety of reasons. It is a very annoying condition that could affect both children and adults. When small lesions start appearing on the lining of the soft tissue of the mouth, the affected person is likely to experience discomfort while eating or drinking. These painful, fluid-filled mouth blisters can occur singly or in clusters on the tongue, lips, gums, or inside of the cheeks. Sometimes these could also be contagious.
Contributing Factors
Mouth ulcers can be categorized into cold sores and canker sores. Though many people use these terms interchangeably, these are two different conditions. Cold sores are also referred to as fever blisters. These are fluid-filled blisters that are caused by the herpes simplex virus. These generally appear on the lips, but such lesions could also appear on the gums and roof of the mouth. These are quite painful and are contagious also.
Canker sores, on the other hand, are round or oval lesions that are white or yellow at the center and are surrounded with a red outline. An injury to the tissue could be responsible for the formation of a canker sore on the lip, mouth, or inside of the cheeks. Lesions could also appear if you bite the inside of your cheeks while eating. Sometimes, the oral tissues might get irritated when you use a hard-bristled toothbrush. Toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate can also irritate the oral tissues and lead to the formation of sores in mouth and throat.
Braces and ill-fitting dentures could also irritate the oral tissues and cause ulcers in mouth. Consumption of spicy or acidic foods or food allergies could also cause mouth ulcers. Nutritional deficiencies could also cause ulcers in mouth. If your diet doesn’t include adequate amounts of vitamin B12, folic acid, or iron, it could lead to the appearance of blood blisters in the mouth.
Hormonal imbalances and stress can also make one susceptible to canker sores. Sometimes, mouth sores might be a symptom of other medical conditions. Behcet’s disease, neutrophil dysfunction diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and hormonal imbalances could also cause mouth sores. Viral and bacterial infections such as strep throat, sore throat, tonsillitis, or oral herpes could also cause mouth ulcers.
Treatment
Since blisters could be caused due to viral or bacterial infections, consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Anti-viral medications might be required for the treatment of cold sores. Since these can be painful, doctors might prescribe painkillers. The use of medicated toothpastes, anti-microbial mouth rinses, or corticosteroids might also prove beneficial. If the blisters are due to nutritional deficiencies, the doctor might suggest the use of certain nutritional supplements.
You must also make sure that the lining of the soft tissue of your mouth doesn’t get damaged due to consumption of spicy or acidic foods. Make sure that your toothpaste doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush is important too. Those affected by recurrent outbreaks of canker sores can also apply honey, aloe vera, milk of magnesia, or a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution for getting relief from canker sores.
If you often develop mouth ulcers, changing your dietary habits and improving your oral hygiene might prove useful.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.