Aphthae in the mouth: a widespread phenomenon

The bad news first: none of us are resistant to mouth ulcers. In the course of life, they can affect anyone, young or old. They appear suddenly, without warning. The second piece of bad news is that there is no really effective treatment for canker sores; the most that can be done is to treat the symptoms so that the pain caused by the nasty blisters is kept to a minimum. Unfortunately, there is also no effective aphthous stomatitis remedy (yet). Everyone has to find out for themselves what helps with aphthae.

What are aphthae?

Aphthae are mucosal defects that manifest themselves as round or oval blisters throughout the mouth and throat. They do not grow larger than one centimeter. These blisters are surrounded by a reddish rim and burst after the first few days. This can be very painful. After the aphthae in the mouth have burst, a firmly adhering fibrin coating forms, which is still surrounded by a reddish rim and looks milky. The blisters heal completely after about two weeks. The pain is particularly severe if the tongue is affected.

How aphthae can develop

Aphthae can be caused by a permanent mechanical stimulus, such as braces or poorly fitting dentures. A toothbrush that is too hard can also cause aphthae. Experts believe that long-term stress and a weakened immune system can also be the cause. The trigger is not known.

Aphthae treatment: dos and don'ts

Those affected should avoid all foods that could cause inflammation. These include citrus fruits, fruit juices and alcohol. Hard cookies, rusks and bread rolls irritate the mucous membrane if you already have an aphthae. It is better not to eat these so that the blisters are not further irritated.

It is also better to brush your teeth very carefully.

You should rinse your mouth with a germicidal solution (pharmacy) to prevent the bacteria from spreading further. Ointments, gels or mouth sprays can also help. However, these only treat the symptoms.

If you suffer from canker sores, home remedies are very popular as a "quick fix". However, you should refrain from doing this, because what helps with canker sores can be found - if at all - in the pharmacy.

Unfortunately, there is no direct treatment for canker sores that can achieve immediate healing or pain relief. In most cases, you simply have to wait and see. If those affected suffer from recurring aphthae, the doctor can prescribe medication