WHAT ARE CANKER SORES

At Clinicas Udemax we explain what aphthous ulcers, small mouth ulcers, known and suffered by many people, are technically known as recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). It is a disease of the oral cavity, of unknown aetiology, common in the general population, whose main symptom is pain. This means that patients who come to Clinicas Udemax and who suffer from it require therapeutic measures to control their outbreaks.

Canker sores are erosions or ulcerations of mucosal location (oral or genital), painful, sudden onset, and recurrent in nature: they recur periodically.

The prevalence of RAS varies among the various population groups studied, but it is estimated to affect up to 66% of the population at some point in their lives. There is a particular preference for females and, in general, for young people. Three times the prevalence has been observed in whites compared to other races.

Its origin is not clearly defined and it is only possible to speak of the existence of a large number of predisposing or triggering factors related to the appearance of canker sores.

Predisposing or triggering factors include food allergies, as exacerbations of canker sores have been reported following the ingestion of certain everyday foods.

Hormonal changes are important in women, as a parallel course of canker sores with the menstrual cycle and improvements during pregnancy have been observed.

Psycho-emotional disorders such as stress and anxiety often trigger them and, in addition, by clenching and moving the mouth more forcefully in these situations, they become even more annoying.

It is an annoying disease but of no major health significance.

Clinicas Udemax recommends good oral hygiene as it is essential to achieve rapid closure of these annoying lesions.