As early summer begins, people with mouth ulcers are once again frowning, especially when faced with a table full of delicious food.
Although mouth ulcers are not a serious illness, the red, swollen, and painful sores make eating an agonizing experience, preventing one from enjoying a full meal, and even speaking can be unbearably painful, causing many inconveniences in work and life.
Summer is a peak season for mouth ulcers
"As the temperature rises, the number of patients with mouth ulcers has significantly increased," says Gong Jianmin, director of the Department of Stomatology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. He explains that young people are the most commonly affected, and in the summer, many stay up late, drink beer, and eat barbecue at the roadside. This can worsen symptoms of "internal heat" and trigger ulcers. "What's most frustrating about mouth ulcers is their tendency to recur," says Wang Shouru, chief physician of the Department of Stomatology at Henan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The causes of recurrence are complex, generally related to endocrine factors, but can also be due to a deficiency of certain trace elements. Mouth ulcers are also linked to digestive system issues like bloating, diarrhea, or constipation, a decrease in estrogen levels, mental stress, emotional fluctuations, and poor sleep.
Mouth ulcers should not be ignored
Gong Jianmin explains that from onset to healing, a mouth ulcer typically takes 7 to 10 days and will heal on its own without any treatment. Medication can only alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration, making a complete cure difficult. "For this very reason, many people don't take mouth ulcers seriously," Gong says. Many believe they can just endure it for a few days, but this approach is risky. While traumatic ulcers may heal with medication or over time, if one or more ulcers recur frequently or appear in succession, are extremely painful, or are accompanied by ulcers in other areas, they should be taken very seriously. This could be a sign of an autoimmune disease. Furthermore, if the ulcer progresses to bleeding or swollen lymph nodes in the neck, there is a possibility of it developing into oral cancer. "Therefore, one should not disregard a mouth ulcer," Gong advises. If an ulcer does not heal after some time, and the base and edges become hardened, one should seek timely medical examination, diagnosis, and treatment.
Currently, there is a wide variety of medications for mouth ulcers on the market, but many have specific contraindications for use. "Yi Ke Tie is a popular treatment for mouth ulcers, but it should be used without eating or drinking. This medication cannot be used long-term, and some patients are not suitable for it," Gong says. There is also Cytodine Buccal Tablets, which have antibacterial and anti-infective properties, as well as effects like astringency, reducing mucosal edema, rapid pain relief, and promoting the healing of ulcerated mucosa. However, patients with iodine allergies are forbidden from using it.
In addition, many patients choose to supplement with B-complex vitamins when they have mouth ulcers. This method is very suitable for patients who have a vitamin B deficiency.
Good habits can help you say goodbye to mouth ulcers
"There are many ways to treat mouth ulcers, but to stay away from this condition, the most important thing is prevention," says Wang Shouru. Patients who suffer from recurrent mouth ulcers should first focus on developing good lifestyle habits. For example, those with poor digestive systems should limit their food intake or eat smaller, more frequent meals, and consume easily digestible, vitamin-rich foods. During an ulcer outbreak, one can appropriately supplement with vitamins B1, B2, B6, and C to enhance the body's self-healing capabilities.
Second, pay attention to oral hygiene and develop the good habit of brushing teeth in the morning and evening, and rinsing the mouth after meals. During an ulcer outbreak, gargling with salt water, saline solution, or mouthwash can reduce oral bacteria and prevent secondary infections.
Third, pay attention to a balanced diet. Eat more easily digestible, B-vitamin-rich foods, avoid being a picky eater, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, and try to eat less foods that can easily worsen mouth ulcers, such as preserved products.
Finally, maintain a regular lifestyle, ensure adequate sleep, avoid overexertion, regulate your emotions, and maintain a pleasant mood and optimistic attitude towards life.