Mouth ulcers and other causes of orofacial soreness and pain
BMJ 2000; 321 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.321.7254.162 (Published 15 July 2000) Cite this as: BMJ 2000;321:162- Crispian Scully,
- Rosemary Shotts
Ulcerative conditions
Mouth ulcers are common and are usually due to trauma such as from ill fitting dentures, fractured teeth, or fillings. However, patients with an ulcer of over three weeks' duration should be referred for biopsy or other investigations to exclude malignancy (see previous article) or other serious conditions such as chronic infections.
Main systemic and iatrogenic causes of oral ulcers
Microbial disease
Herpetic stomatitis
Chickenpox
Herpes zoster
Hand, foot, and mouth disease
Herpangina
Infectious mononucleosis
HIV infection
Acute necrotising gingivitis
Tuberculosis
Syphilis
Fungal infections
Cutaneous disease
Lichen planus
Pemphigus
Pemphigoid
Erythema multiforme
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Linear IgA disease
Epidermolysis bullosa
Chronic ulcerative stomatitis
Other dermatoses
Malignant neoplasms
Blood disorders
Anaemia
Leukaemia
Neutropenia
Other white cell dyscrasias
Gastrointestinal disease
Coeliac disease
Crohn's disease
Ulcerative colitis
Rheumatoid diseases
Lupus erythematosus
Behcet's syndrome
Sweet's syndrome
Reiter's disease
Drugs
Cytotoxic agents
Nicorandil
Others
Radiotherapy
Ulcers related to trauma usually resolve in about a week after removal of the cause and use of benzydamine hydrochloride 0.15% mouthwash or spray (Difflam) to provide symptomatic relief and chlorhexidine 0.2% aqueous mouthwash to maintain good oral hygiene.
Patients with a mouth ulcer lasting over three weeks should be referred for biopsy or other investigations to exclude malignancy or other serious conditions
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (aphthae, canker sores)
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis typically starts in childhood or adolescence with recurrent small, round, or ovoid ulcers with circumscribed margins, erythematous haloes, and yellow or grey floors. It affects at least 20% of the population, and its natural course is one of eventual remission. There are three main clinical types:
Minor aphthous ulcers (80% of all aphthae) are less than 5 mm in diameter and heal in 7–14 days
Major aphthous ulcers are large ulcers that heal slowly over weeks or months with scarring
Herpetiform ulcers are multiple pinpoint ulcers that heal within about a month.
Some cases …
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