Conditions and Treatment

Mouth

The mouth is the beginning of your digestive system where food goes into the digestive tract after it is ground into small pieces by the teeth and tongue.

Canker Sore or Aphthous Ulcer
These are small, shallow round or oval shaped lesions that develop in the mouth. They usually have a red border and can be painful. They are not contagious and typically resolve in 1-2 weeks.

Canker sores are typically seen in more women than men and in persons ages 10-40. If you have a family member with canker sores, you may be more at risk for developing them. Canker sores may be the result of an injury, allergic reaction, dietary deficiency, food sensitivity, emotional stress or hormonal shift during menstruation. They can also be associated with helicobacter pylori, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Behcets disease, HIV/AIDS and the use of oral products containing sodium lauryl sulfate.

Most canker sores will resolve without treatment. It may be helpful to choose healthy foods and to avoid foods that are hard and may cause injury or that are spicy or acidic. To ease discomfort and aid healing you may rinse with milk of magnesia or a paste made of baking soda. Over the counter products that contain numbing agents are also available.

Additional treatment options are available for more severe cases. To help reduce the frequency of canker sores it is important to practice good oral hygiene and protect your mouth. Try not to talk and chew at the same time. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and yogurt may be beneficial.

Thrush or Candida infection
Candida is a fungal element that is present as a part of the normal flora in the mouth and GI tract in small amounts. If the balance of normal flora is disturbed, the candida may become more plentiful and then thrush or a candida infection develops.

Thrush may appear as creamy white lesions in the mouth or throat. The areas may be painful and may bleed if scraped. It is often diagnosed based on appearance, culture, or endoscopic examination.

Persons at risk for thrush include those with weakened immune systems and the very young or old. Stress, certain medications, tobacco use, ill-fitting dentures and certain medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, HIV, dry mouth or even pregnancy can increase the risk of developing thrush.

Symptoms may include painful or difficult swallowing.

Thrush is treated with antifungal medications that are available in different forms. It is important to practice good oral hygiene. Using warm salt water rinses may also be helpful.

In order to prevent thrush it is important to see your dentist regularly. Limiting foods that contain a lot of sugar or yeast that encourage the growth of candida is also important. Eating yogurt with active cultures, especially when taking certain medications such as antibiotics, may minimize your risk. After using steroid inhalers you should rinse your mouth or brush your teeth. Treat vaginal yeast infections as soon as possible. Some studies have also shown that garlic may be effective because of its antifungal/antibacterial properties. It is important to stop smoking. Avoiding mouthwashes and rinses that alter the normal flora may also be beneficial.

Nutritional deficiencies
Other oral conditions may develop as the result of nutritional deficiencies. Therefore we cannot stress enough the importance of a well-balanced diet, good oral hygiene and regular dental visits.