Five Very Common Conditions of the Mouth

There are many common diseases and conditions of the mouth. A cold sore is one of the most common. A cold sore is caused by the virus, Herpes Simplex type 1. By the age of 20, more than half the U.S. population has had a herpes simplex type 1 infection. (Don't be alarmed. This is NOT the Herpes type 2 virus that causes genital herpes).

A cold sore usually occurs outside the mouth on the lips, nostrils, chin or cheek. Occasionally it can be inside the mouth on the roof of the mouth or on the gums.

Cold sores are NOT caused by colds or fevers although they frequently occur when you have a cold or fever because your immune system is not at its best. The herpes simplex virus enters the body through a break in the skin inside or outside the mouth. The virus is spread by touching something that is infected from saliva containing the virus.

Cold sores are transmitted by sharing items a person with a cold sore has used such as utensils, cups, razors etc. Also, kissing an infected person or touching his saliva can transmit the virus to others. Cold sores can also spread to other areas of the body.

The first sign of a cold sore is pain or tingling on the lip or other infected area. A blister forms and clear fluid leaks from the wound. Then the blister crusts over and a scab forms. Cold sores go away on their own within a few days to two weeks. If the cold sore is very painful, your physician can prescribe creams, ointments or other medications.

The virus that causes cold sores cannot be cured and once you are infected the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life.

Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers)

Canker sores occur on the soft tissues in your mouth and on your gums and on and under the tongue. They are very painful. Before getting a canker sore, there is usually a burning or tingling sensation at the site. Then a round or oval-shaped red sore appears with a white or yellow center. Other symptoms can include swollen lymph nodes, fever and listlessness.

There are three types of canker sores. The minor cancer sore is the most common. It is small in size, less than a half inch, and is oval in shape. This type of canker sore heals in one to two weeks and leaves no scarring.

The second type, the major canker sore is much less common, larger, often over ½ inch and has irregular edges. Sometimes this type of canker sore can take up to 6 weeks to heal and often leaves much scarring.

The third type is called Herpetiform and is small, usually no larger then 1/8 inch, has irregular edges and are in clusters of 10 to 100 sores. They heal in one to two weeks and leave no scarring.

See your physician if you have (a) the clustering kind of canker sores (b) pain that isn't helped by regular pain remedies (c) trouble eating and drinking (d) unusually large sores (e) sores that extend into the lips (f) reoccurring ulcers with new ones coming on before the old ones heal (g) a high fever with the canker sores.

Thrush (Candida)

Thrush is a yeast infection of the mucus membranes in the mouth and on the tongue. Thrush causes white patches in the mouth and on the tongue.

Thrush is common in infants as their immune systems are still immature. The white patches in the mouth are often mistaken for milk because they resembles cottage cheese or milk curds. Thrush is also common in the elderly because of weakened immune systems.

Some people get thrush when they take certain medications like antibiotics or inhaled corticosteroids. Some conditions make thrush more common such as diabetes and HIV.

Thrush is not serious and can be treated with antifungal medications. Usually a liquid or lozenge is prescribed first and then a pill if these do not work. Doctors generally can diagnose thrush by just looking in your mouth.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. Symptoms may include (a) bleeding gums (b) bright red or purple appearance to the gums (c) shiny appearance to the gums (d) gum tenderness when touched, but not painful otherwise (e) sores in the mouth (f) swollen gums.

Treatment includes careful oral hygiene and professional tooth cleaning. This is much more involved than regular dental cleaning. Antibacterial mouth washes and other medicated rinses are prescribed and careful flossing and tooth brushing is necessary. Generally, a dentist diagnoses gingivitis. If left untreated, infections, tooth and bone loss and tissue loss are likely to occur.

Gingivitis can be prevented by regular dental visits and professional cleaning and good oral hygiene from infancy on through adulthood.

Other causes can increase your risk for developing gingivitis. These include (a) general illnesses (b) pregnancy (hormone changes increase sensitivity of the gums (c) uncontrolled diabetes (d) diet (e) misaligned teeth, broken teeth, bridges, fillings, crowns and dentures (f) and the previously-mentioned poor dental hygiene.

Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD)

Hand-foot-mouth disease is a common infant and children's condition. It's a viral infection that usually begins in the throat. It is not spread from pets, but it is easily spread by person to person from direct contact with nasal and throat discharge, saliva, fluid from blisters, and stool from an infected person.

This particular virus infection (coxsackievirus A16) is mostly seen in children under 10 years of age, but can occasionally be seen in adolescents and adults. The most common time for outbreaks to occur is in the summer and early fall.

Symptoms of HFMD are (a) loss of appetite (b) headache (c)sore throat (d) fever (e) ulcers in the throat, on the tonsils, mouth and tongue.

Physicians easily diagnosis hand-foot and mouth disease by the characteristic puss-filled sores on the hands and feet.

There is no treatment for hand-foot-mouth disease other than comfort measures for the symptoms. Antibiotics are not effective and should not be used. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is used for fever. Aspirin should NOT be used in children under 12 years old. (Please read my AC article):
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/93787/do_not_give_your_child_aspirin_for.html?cat=25

Salt water mouth rinses (½ teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water) is soothing to the mouth and throat if the child is able to rinse and not swallow the solution.

Cold milk and water is best to drink. Fruit juices and sodas cause burning pain from the ulcers. Complete recovery takes from 5 to 7 days after symptoms appear.

The time between infection and the development of symptoms is about 3 - 7 days. This is when the child is most contagious.

Sources:

Doreen K. Satter, RN

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mouthdisorders.htmlwww.netwellness.org/healthtopics/mouthdiseases/