Mouth ulcers are painful spots within the inside of the mouth that appear as small off-white areas that are often surrounded by redness and inflammation. These ulcers are often self-limiting and disappear after about a week. The cause for these is currently unknown, but appearance of mouth ulcers can be triggered by several factors such as stress, hormonal changes or smoking. They can also be caused by certain medications as well, such as anti-inflammatory drugs. These painful ulcers are often very troublesome. However, products are available to manage these ulcers. Local analgesics can be used to reduce the pain caused by these ulcers, especially when eating. Oral pastes may be used as well to protect these ulcers as well as help relieve the discomfort brought about by these. See your doctor if the ulcers last for more than three weeks.
Oral thrush is a yeast infection of the inside of the mouth. The infection forms white bumps that are painful and may potentially bleed if scraped. It can also give you a feeling of bad taste in your mouth. Oral thrush can be contagious, and can be transmitted though intimate contact with another person. Talk to one of our pharmacists if you have this condition and we can provide you medications to help treat this condition.
Good oral hygiene is important in preventing a majority of oral health conditions. It is important to brush teeth regularly, preferrably at least twice a day, and using a brush with soft bristles help prevent damage to the gums and to the surface of the teeth. Toothbrushes should be replaced regularly. Fluoride-containing toothpaste can help strengthen the teeth, and flossing helps clean areas that are inaccessible to brushing. Regular mouthwash should can also help in controlling the bacteria that causes bad breath. Tongue cleaning may also help in getting rid of bad breath, as the tongue can have a coating on it that can actually contribute to it. A toothbrush can be used to clean this coating, but a tongue scraper can be more effective and can remove it more thoroughly.
