Oral ulcers, commonly known as "canker sores", are extremely painful and can cause significant discomfort in daily life. They can affect eating and speaking, and may also lead to symptoms such as bad breath, chronic pharyngitis, constipation, headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, irritability, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
Treatment of Oral Ulcers
The treatment of oral ulcers focuses on eliminating the causes, enhancing the body's resistance, and symptomatic treatment. The treatment should combine systemic and local approaches, as well as integrate traditional Chinese and Western medicine, as well as physiological and psychological therapy. It is important to note that if the ulcers persist for a long time and are large and deep on the tongue, they may be a precancerous lesion and prone to malignant transformation. In such cases, a biopsy may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis.
1. Treatment Principles
The treatment should focus on eliminating the causes, enhancing the body's resistance, and symptomatic treatment. The approach should combine systemic and local treatments, as well as integrate traditional Chinese and Western medicine, as well as physiological and psychological therapy.
2. Symptomatic Treatment
Oral intake of vitamin B and C can enhance the body's resistance and promote ulcer healing. For severe pain, multiple ulcers, and short remission periods, drugs such as levamisole, transfer factor, or thymosin can be used for immunomodulation treatment. Corticosteroids like dexamethasone can also be used for treatment. In addition, other systemic treatments are also important, such as sedation, sleep aid, and drugs that regulate the nervous and digestive systems.
3. Medication Treatment
Use 5% aureomycin cod liver oil paste; 1% hydrocortisone or dexamethasone paste; Chinese patent medicines such as ice boric powder, tin powder, and nourishing yin and generating flesh powder to prevent secondary infection. However, it is not advisable to burn ulcers with carbolic acid or silver nitrate to avoid damaging healthy tissue.
4. Prognosis
Oral ulcers often occur periodically, and the duration of recurrence is closely related to the length of the medical history of oral ulcers.
Dietary Care for Oral Ulcers
Daily Care
1. Pay attention to oral hygiene and avoid injuring the oral mucosa.
2. Maintain a positive and optimistic attitude and avoid stress and anxiety.
3. Ensure sufficient sleep and avoid excessive fatigue.
4. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste that promote oral health, and pay attention to the teeth at the back of the mouth.
5. Regular oral examinations.
Dietary Adjustment
Eat more fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin B and vitamin C, such as apples, celery, spinach, etc. Avoid foods that can easily induce oral ulcers, such as cinnamon and chili.
