DEFINITION:

Ulcers of the mouth, also known as aphtous ulcers, are painful lesions that have the tendencies to appear in the mouth.

SYMPTOMS:

•Burning feeling, especially while consuming spicy or acidic foods.

•Presence of white lesions with a red border, usually forming inside the lips or the cheeks.

In more advanced cases of ulcers, symptoms can include:

•An ulcer larger than normal or that does not disappear after more than three weeks.

•Intolerable pain.

•Ingesting enough fluids becomes difficult.

•Fever occurring at the same time than the ulcer.

TREATMENTS:

•Usually, the pain usually diminishes after a few days and completely heals after one to two weeks.

•If the ulcers are large and very painful, an antimicrobial mouthwash or a local analgesic cream can be employed.

PREVENTION:

•Avoid acidic foods irritating the mouth (i.e. soft drinks).

•Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid injuries to the gum and lips.

SOURCES:     Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (www.wikipedia.org).

                            WebMD, better information, better health (www.webmd.com).