Warning Signs Your Canker Sores Could Be Something Serious!
- Why Do Canker Sores (mouth ulcer) Occur?
- How to Manage Canker Sores?
- Topical Medication for Canker Sores
- Systemic Medication for Canker Sores
Recurrent canker sores, also known medically as recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), are common. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a condition characterized by recurrent inflammation of the oral mucosa, with an unclear definitive cause. Based on ulcer morphology, location in the oral cavity, severity, and prognosis, RAS can be classified into three main types: minor RAS, major RAS, and herpetiform RAS. Among these classifications, major RAS has the longest healing time and carries a high risk of causing permanent changes to the oral mucosal tissue.
Why Do Canker Sores (mouth ulcer) Occur?
Although the exact cause of canker sores remains unknown, several scientific theories explain its pathogenesis. According to these theories, canker sores develops through a complex process involving interactions between various factors, including the immune system, genetics, and environmental influences. Additionally, DNA damage caused by oxidative stress is also suspected to play a significant role in the onset of canker sores.
A diagnosis of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is established after ruling out other potential causes of aphthous ulcers. If no specific underlying cause is identified following examination, RAS is diagnosed as a condition of exclusion, meaning it is determined only after considering and eliminating other possible causes.
How to Manage Canker Sores?
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Due to the complex pathogenesis of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and the involvement of multiple contributing factors, treatment is based on the clinical manifestations observed. For mild RAS that resolves quickly, is likely triggered by dietary habits, occurs only a few times a year, and causes tolerable pain, management can be achieved simply by avoiding hard foods. For RAS that occurs monthly and lasts between 3 to 10 days, topical treatment is necessary. Meanwhile, severe RAS that does not respond to topical treatment requires systemic therapy (medication that works throughout the body).
Topical Medication for Canker Sores
If the clinical manifestations of canker sores are not severe, treatment should begin with topical medication, with first-line therapy consisting of antiseptics and anti-inflammatory agents such as 0.2% chlorhexidine, triclosan, and benzydamine hydrochloride, which can be used as a mouth rinse or gel without swallowing. In addition to antiseptics and anti-inflammatory agents, topical antibiotics and corticosteroids can also be used for canker sores treatment.
Antibiotics such as tetracyclines and their derivatives help reduce RAS symptoms by inhibiting collagenase and metalloproteinase enzymes, which play a role in the inflammatory response that contributes to tissue damage and ulcer formation. These antibiotics also modulate the immune response, helping to reduce inflammation and accelerate healing. Meanwhile, corticosteroids such as triamcinolone acetonide and fluocinolone acetonide work by suppressing excessive immune responses, thereby relieving pain and swelling associated with canker sores.
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Systemic Medication for Canker Sores
For severe canker sores requiring systemic treatment, corticosteroids such as prednisone are the first-line therapy. Additionally, systemic therapy may include potassium penicillin G. Whether using topical or systemic antibiotics, treatment must always adhere to the recommended dosage prescribed by healthcare professionals to prevent antibiotic resistance.
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Before being used by the public, medications for treating mouth ulcers must be guaranteed for safety, quality, and effectiveness through laboratory testing. With proper testing, manufacturers can guarantee that the products they distribute are safe and truly beneficial for consumers. For pharmaceutical businesses, ensure that each of your mouth ulcer medication products has undergone comprehensive laboratory testing.
Accurate test results will help ensure product quality and increase consumer confidence. This step will ensure that the resulting product is more prepared and highly competitive in the market.
Author: Devira
Editor: Sabilla Reza
References:
Belenguer-Guallar, I., Jiménez-Soriano, Y., & Claramunt-Lozano, A. (2014). Treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. A literature review. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.4317/jced.51401.
Edgar, N. R., Saleh, D., & Miller, R. A. (2017). Recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A review. In Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (Vol. 10, Issue 3). https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-8844.103504.
