Mouth Ulcers, what causes them and how do you get rid of them?

Answer 1

Mouth ulcers are caused by the same thing that cause cold sores - the herpes simplex virus. This can be inactive for years and then rear its ugly head and make your life miserable. As this is part of the Herpes virus, be careful where you put your mouth as a mouth ulcer, like a cold sore, can transfer the virus to genitals if you perform oral sex on anyone. If they take a long time to heal I would recommend gargling salt water every hour for a minute or so to help kill the bacteria. Otherwise see your doctor as they may be able to do something I am not aware of. Good luck :-)

Answer 2

Mouth ulcers are viral. Like cold sores,(though they are not related), once you have the initial infection it is there for life, coming and going whenever you are run down or have another virus.

Unlike cold sores there is no specific anti-viral drug available to treat them.

Only 2 products are listed that are specifically indicated on prescription and neither shorten the duration of the attacks,( usually about 10 days per ulcer) they only calm down the nipping and inflammation a little. Both are steroid based, Corlan pellets (Hydrocortisone), these can be placed on the ulcers and dissolved, and Adcortyl in Orobase, this is a paste applied to the ulcers.

Bonjela or other teething gels may also numb them a bit, again not affecting duration of symptoms.

Generally it is less uncomfortable eating and drinking cold and soft things during an attack.

Answer 3

Type 1 herpes. Lay dormant most of the times. Stress in immune system causes ulcer to flare up. Bonjella doesn't work for me so I use Anbesol gel from over the counter. Hurts when applied but will clear up ulcer like from the next day onwards. Good stuff!

P.S. Get some exercise to perk up that immune system and avoid any more stress.

Answer 4

There are many processes which can lead to mouth ulceration. In some cases they are caused by an overreaction by the body's own immune system. Factors that appear to provoke them include stress, fatigue, illness, injury from accidental biting, hormonal changes, menstruation, sudden weight loss, food allergies and deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron and folic acid. Some drugs, such as nicorandil, have been linked with mouth ulcers

Salt is apparently the best thing to heal them!

Answer 5

I was always told that you got an ulcer when you were run down ! but I'm not sure if this is just an old wives tale or not.

However baby teething gel does numb them a bit, also mouthwash with warm salt water although disgusting does help !

Answer 6

A friend of mine suffered badly and found out the cause of his mouth ulcers was using toothpaste with whitening products in it. Aparently, toothpastes with whitening have a product in it that is clinically proven to cause 'cancasours' (mouth ulcers).

Try stopping using this type of toothpaste (if you do) and see if it improves.

Answer 7

i had some last week, what i did was dip a q-tip in peroxide and put on the ulcer, then after words rinsed with Listerine. It helped, went away three days later.

Answer 8

Mouth ulcers are caused by a virus...usually the herpes symplex virus...can also be caused by eating too much acidic foods. They usually just have to run their course, as with any virus...but you can rinse your mouth with peroxide, that does make it more bearable...also, there are over the counter things to try at the drug store...one i used with my kids was called Lysine, it was a peroxide-based mouth rinse. Good luck, i know they are uncomfortable.

Answer 9

You get mouth ulcers when your body is feeling rundown, tired, stressed. I use bonjela and find it works, its sore when you put it on but they clear up quite quickly.

Answer 10

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