Gum ulcers can be caused by the use of hard toothbrushes, braces or dental prosthetics, consumption of hot or acidic foods, allergies to oral hygiene products and, sometimes, it can be a sign of gum infection or cancer.
Gum ulcers usually cause symptoms such as sores and pain in the mouth. However, depending on its cause, other symptoms may also appear, such as fever and swelling in the neck.
In case of gum ulcers, it is recommended to consult a dentist or general practitioner, especially if the ulcer takes time to disappear or other symptoms appear. Treatment can be carried out with medications, such as anti-inflammatories and anesthetics, according to the doctor’s advice, and home remedies, such as propolis or honey.
Possible causes of gum ulcers
The main causes of gum ulcers are:
- Use of hard toothbrushes, braces and dental prosthesesfor example, which can cause gum injuries;
- Hot or acidic foods and drinksresulting in gum burns;
- Allergiescaused by toothpaste or mouthwash, for example;
- Some medicationssuch as chemotherapy and anti-inflammatories;
- Infections caused by viruses or bacteriasuch as herpes and syphilis;
- Cancerespecially in case of canker sores that do not improve.
Although it is not always possible to identify the cause of gum ulcers, this type of ulcer is more common in times of stress, menstrual periods, nutrient deficiencies, such as iron, vitamin B6 and folate, and can also occur more frequently in people who smoke and who have inadequate oral hygiene.
Pain in the gums is a common symptom in the case of mouth ulcers, but it can also indicate other problems such as gingivitis or the birth of one of the wisdom teeth, and it is important that the dentist is consulted. Learn about other causes of gum pain.
Is a sore on the gums near the tooth normal?
Cold sore on the gums near the tooth is normal, especially when using hard toothbrushes and inadequate oral hygiene, which increases the risk of gum infection by microorganisms.
How to identify gum ulcers
Gum ulcers can initially be identified through symptoms such as:
- Round wound on the gum with a whitish center and red border;
- Redness in the gums;
- Mouth pain;
- Difficulty chewing food or speaking;
Typically, gum ulcers cause redness in the area, which is followed by the appearance of a rounded wound 48 to 72 hours later and which disappears in 1 to 2 weeks.
It is recommended to consult a dentist or general practitioner to evaluate the cold sore, especially if symptoms appear, such as fever, rashes on the body and redness of the skin, the cold sore on the gums is frequent or does not improve within 6 weeks, to confirm the diagnosis.
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The doctor may recommend blood tests, such as a blood count and specific antibody levels, to confirm the diagnosis.
How the treatment is carried out
Normally, gum ulcers do not require specific treatment and disappear within 1 to 2 weeks. However, the doctor may recommend the use of medications, such as ointments with anesthetics or anti-inflammatories, to alleviate symptoms and speed up healing.
The most recommended remedies for gum ulcers include:
Pharmacy remedies
Pharmacy remedies for gum ulcers exist in the form of ointments, gels and solutions containing anesthetics, such as benzocaine, or substances that protect the mouth mucosa, such as sucralfate, to be applied directly to the ulcer.
Furthermore, in case of intense symptoms, the doctor may recommend ointments for canker sores with corticosteroids, such as triamcinolone or dexamethasone. Check out more remedies recommended for cold sores.
Home remedies
Some options for home remedies for gum ulcers are solutions with water and sea salt, to rinse your mouth, and the application of propolis extract or bee honey, for example, which have antiseptic and healing properties. See more home remedy options for cold sores.
Furthermore, it is important to check whether tooth brushing has been done correctly to ensure good oral hygiene and prevent the appearance of mouth ulcers.
