Why do I keep on getting ulcers?

Question

I keep getting ulcers in my mouth - does anyone know why??

Answer 1

An inherited tendency - they can run in families.
A inefficient immune system - if you have been overdoing it and not looking after yourself properly, or if you have a condition which lowers your defences (for example, those with autoimmune diseases, HIV infection or severe allergies, such as asthma).
Wearing a brace or plate or even using a toothpick or brushing the teeth too vigorously makes a mouth ulcer more likely.
Food sensitivities - the ulcers may be an allergic reaction to certain foods.
Nutritional deficiencies - 20% of those with mouth ulcers can be blamed partly on nutritional deficiencies. Most likely are vitamin B12, folic acid, zinc and iron.
Hormones - mouth ulcers can often appear during menstruation, and women who have recurring mouth ulcers find that they disappear during pregnancy.
Stress - it doesn't cause mouth ulcers but too much can make you more likely to have an attack.


Are they contagious? No.


How can I prevent them? Take a good multivitamin and mineral supplement to prevent a deficiency, and eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
See if your toothpaste contains sodium lauryl sulfate - an irritant detergent.
Visit your dentist regularly - good dental hygiene can help.
Clean your teeth carefully and don't use a toothpick regularly.

If you get mouth ulcers regularly, see your GP. You may need tests to see if they are caused by a nutritional deficiency or allergy.

Answer 2

Ulcers often appear after the gum is subjected to trauma (e.g., overly vigorous brushing). Sometimes though, ulcers appear for no apparent reason. Perhaps it is because you are run down - not eating right and not getting enough sleep. As a preventative measure, rinse your mouth with an anticeptic rinse at least twice a day (Listerine is the best). Also, use care when brushing your teeth, to avoid inadvertent injury to the tissues in the mouth. If you do get an ulcer, use Amosan mouth rinse to eliminate the ulcer quickly.

Answer 3

I am assuming you have apthous ulcers. As of now there is no evidence if these ulcers are caused either bacteria or virus. While it is commonly assumed that ulcers are a result of stress or lack of immunity, there is no evidence. These ulcers are common in students, prior to tests/examination. But that is not evidence. Some dentist's recommend Vitamin B12 (riboflavin) and it does seem to help. In 2000, I published an article in the Journal of Oral Medicine, relating the possible linkage of Helicobater Pylori's role in Apthous ulcers. These H. Pylori bacteria are shown to be the reason for many peptic ulcers and some types of Gastritis. I proposed the theory that if these bacteria can cause ulcers in the stomach, they can also cause oral ulcers, since they have to enter the stomach through oral cavity. While I did find these bacteria in some oral samples, my results did not prove that these bacteria did cause the ulcers. I am not sure if this of any help but I tried.

Answer 4

youre tired, over worked, your diet probably doesnt help. when youre over tired, run down, and not eating properly one of the first signs of this stress is mouth ulcers.

pills and potions dont help either as the underlying causes are still in place. so, get some sleep, tell the boss to shove it, ignore the house (for a day or so) and relax, eat well, and generally chill out. whats happening is your immune system is working flat out, and because youre tired etc the first symptoms are small local infections, spots, boils, and ulcers....

as to a cure.., bonjela works, but then again so does a TCP gargle.

good luck

Answer 5

Oh, this hits home. When I was really sick, I got them all the time. I think stress may be a cause. Also, if you are lacking in vitamin C. I wasn't getting enough vitamin C or sleep, and I was really stressed.

Try incorporating more orange juice in your diet, or make a trip to the dentist to make sure it's not serious. Yoga can also be a plus!

Answer 6

usually inherited.....do or did your parents suffer? Sometimes it indicates you are run down but if you have always got them from time to time them prob inherited.

Only thing that is any way good for them is "Corsodyl" about £4 at any chemist....go for the mint flavour the original flavour is worst than the ulcer

Answer 7

Are you asthmatic? Using inhalers can cause mouth ulcers.

Answer 8

You can get mouth ulcers if you are run down, or your immune system is low. can be an infection, if you keep getting them regularly, my advise is everytime you toothbrush, gargle your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash, it will help

Answer 9

ulcers are caused by worry or stress. it causes bacteria in your mouth to grow quickly
go see you doc or dentist they may be able to shed some more light on it.

Answer 10

it means you are either extremely run down, been over doing it and this is your bodies way of telling you it needs a rest, or you have some kind of mouth infection, get some oraldene or listerine as it is an antiseptic mouthwash and try getting some rest, if that does not work try looking at your hobbies and who with???