symptoms of oral and dental disorders
mouth and dental disorders
Mouth Sores and Inflammation
). Often the cause is unknown. In general, because the normal flow of saliva helps protect the lining of the mouth, any condition that decreases saliva production makes mouth sores more likely (see Dry Mouth ). Themost common causesof mouth sores are Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (canker sores) Viral infections (particularly Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections and Other infections (caused by fungi or bacteria) Injury or irritating food or chemicals Tobacco use Medications (particularly chemotherapy medications) and radiation therapy Systemic disorders Viruses are the most common infectious causes of mouth sores. Cold sores of the lip and, less commonly, ulcers on the palate caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections are perhaps the most well known. However, many other viruses can cause mouth sores. Varicella-zoster, the virus responsible for A bacterial infection can lead to sores and swelling in the mouth. Infections may be caused by an overgrowth of organisms normally present in the mouth or by newly introduced organisms, such as the bacteria that cause Syphilis or Syphilis may produce a red, painless sore (chancre) that develops in the mouth or on the lips during the early stage of infection. The sore usually heals after several weeks. About 4 to 10 weeks later, a white area (mucous patch) may form on the lip or inside the mouth if the syphilis has not been treated. Both the chancre and the mucous patch are highly contagious, and kissing may spread the disease during these stages. In late-stage syphilis, a hole (gumma) may appear in the palate or tongue. The disease is not contagious at this stage. is a normal resident of the mouth. However, it can overgrow in people who have taken antibiotics or corticosteroids or who have a weak immune system, such as people with Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) . Any type of damage or injury to the mouth, for instance, when the inside of the cheek is accidentally bitten or scraped by broken or jagged teeth or poor-fitting dentures, can cause blisters (vesicles or bullae) or ulcers to form in the mouth. Typically, the surface of a blister breaks down quickly (ruptures), forming an ulcer. Many foods and chemicals can be irritating or trigger a type of allergic reaction, causing mouth sores. Acidic foods, cinnamon flavoring, or astringents may be particularly irritating, as can certain ingredients in common substances such as toothpaste, mouthwash, candy, and gum. Tobacco use can cause mouth sores. The sores most likely result from exposure to the irritants, toxins, and carcinogens found naturally in tobacco products but may also result from the drying effects on the lining of the mouth, the high temperatures in the mouth, changes to the acidity of the mouth, or decreased resistance to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. The most common medications causing mouth sores include certain cancer chemotherapy drugs. Radiation therapy is also a common cause of mouth sores. Medications containing gold, which were once used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and some other autoimmune disorders, can cause mouth sores, but these medications are rarely used because safer and more effective medications are now available. Rarely, people may develop mouth sores after taking antibiotics. Many diseases affect the mouth along with other parts of the body. Behçet Disease , an inflammatory disease affecting many organs, including the eyes, genitals, skin, joints, blood vessels, brain, and gastrointestinal tract, can cause recurring, painful mouth sores. Nutritional deficiencies of Iron Deficiency , 