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How To Differentiate Sores On The Roof Of Your Mouth
Sores on the roof of the mouth can be painful. It grows gradually, starting with a slight bump, eventually becoming more swollen and agonising. While most oral sores heal on their own, some may require medical attention and proper treatment. Identifying the cause is crucial, as sores can result from infections, injuries, or allergic reactions. Differentiating between these causes and understanding what you're dealing with is key to finding and getting the right treatment.
Also Read: Avoid Kissing With Cold Sores: Expert Sheds Light On Its Association With Herpes Infection
Common Causes Of Sores On The Roof Of The MouthIn an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Maneendra, Consultant and HOD - Critical Care Department, Gleneagles Hospitals, Lakdi Ka Pul, Hyderabad, sheds light on common causes of sores on the roof of the mouth.
Starting with irritation and injury, he explains that hot food or drinks, sharp-edged foods, or accidental trauma can damage the roof of the mouth, leading to painful sores. In some people, dentures that don't fit properly, broken teeth, or uneven dental fillings can also contribute to mouth sores.
Infections are another common cause. Viral infections like herpes simplex, fungal infections such as oral thrush, or bacterial infections can all result in sores, according to Dr Maneendra.
Canker sores, or aphthous ulcers, are also a possible cause. These small, painful ulcers are often triggered by stress, certain foods, or minor injuries. According to StatPearls Publishing, aphthous-like ulcers can be a sign of bowel disease, including Crohn's disease, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, and ulcerative colitis.
He also advises considering allergic reactions to certain foods, oral care products, or medications. Additionally, underlying medical conditions like nutritional deficiencies (e.G., vitamin B12, iron), autoimmune disorders, or even cancer should be checked for and treated appropriately.
How To Know If A Mouth Sore Is An InfectionMouth sores, particularly on the roof of the mouth, can be caused by various factors, ranging from an injury or irritation to infections. But the question that most people have is how can one know if their sore is due to an injury or irritation or if it is caused by an infection? To sort this out, Dr Maneendra helps distinguish between the two types of mouth sores. When it comes to sores caused by irritation, these are generally less severe and tend to heal on their own once the irritant is removed. These sores can be triggered by something as simple as sipping a hot drink, eating crunchy foods, or accidentally biting the roof of your mouth.
On the other hand, an infection often comes with other noticeable symptoms, meaning systemic symptoms. You might see redness and swelling around the sore, and in some cases, there could be pus or a discharge. But systemic symptoms include fever, fatigue, or swollen lymph nodes. Additionally, these sores tend to persist for a longer time and might worsen without treatment.
Also Read: Mouth Ulcers Or Fever Blisters: What Do You Have?
Signs Your Mouth Sore Is ConcerningWhile most mouth sores are harmless and resolve on their own, there are sores that require medical attention. Common signs include:
To manage these sores, you can always try home remedies, including:
According to MedlinePlus, mouth sores usually take 10-14 days to heal but can take up to 6 weeks. The pain from a canker sore often goes away within 7-10 days, but it can take 1-3 weeks for the sore to fully heal. Large ulcers can take longer to heal.
According to Dr Maneendra, if mouth sores persist beyond two weeks or are accompanied by other concerning symptoms like fever, swelling, or severe pain, it is crucial to contact a doctor or a healthcare professional.
Additionally, if your sores are recurring, meaning if they occur again and again, or if you suspect cancerous lesions, particularly in high-risk individuals, consult a doctor immediately.
DisclaimerAll possible measures have been taken to ensure accuracy, reliability, timeliness and authenticity of the information; however Onlymyhealth.Com does not take any liability for the same. Using any information provided by the website is solely at the viewers' discretion. In case of any medical exigencies/ persistent health issues, we advise you to seek a qualified medical practitioner before putting to use any advice/tips given by our team or any third party in form of answers/comments on the above mentioned website.
Oral Sex Linked To Vaginal Condition Bacterial Vaginosis
BV bacteria covering cells
Oral sex may create an environment for a common vaginal condition called bacterial vaginosis or BV, according to research in the journal PLoS Biology.
BV is not a sexually transmitted infection. It is an imbalance of the usual bacteria found in the vagina.
Women who have it may have no symptoms, but some get a strong-smelling discharge.
Researchers explored what effect mouth bacteria have on microbes that live and grow in the vagina.
About BV
BV is not usually serious, but should be treated because having BV makes women more vulnerable to catching sexually transmitted diseases and getting urinary infections.
If the woman is pregnant, it increases the risk of premature birth.
How can you tell if you have it?
It is quite common and women who have it may notice they have an unusual discharge that has a strong fishy smell.
You may notice a change to the colour and consistency of your discharge, such as becoming greyish-white and thin and watery.
Your GP or sexual health clinic could arrange for a swab test to see if you have BV.
If the result is positive, it can be treated with antibiotic tablets, gels or creams.
What did the new research find?
Women without BV tend to have plenty of "good" bacteria called lactobacilli that keep the vagina more acidic, with a lower pH.
Sometimes this healthy balance can tip and let other vaginal micro-organisms thrive.
What causes this to happen is not fully known, but you're more likely to get BV if:
The study in PLoS Biology showed how a common type of bacteria found in the mouth that is linked with gum disease and dental plaque may support BV.
They did experiments in human vaginal specimens and in mice to look at bacterial behaviour.
The mouth bacterium, Fusobacterium nucleatum, appeared to aid the growth of other bacteria implicated in BV.
The researchers, Dr Amanda Lewis from the University of California and colleagues, say the findings show how oral sex might contribute to some cases of BV.
Experts already know that BV can be triggered by sex, including between women.
Prof Claudia Estcourt, spokesperson for the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said research such as this was important to add to the understanding of BV.
"We know BV is a really complex entity with lots of contributing factors."
She said oral sex could pass on sexually transmitted infections and other bacteria that may or may not be important in other health conditions.
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