Oral aphthae
What is it?
Oral aphthae are small ulcers that develop on the soft tissues in the mouth or on the base of the gums. They are not contagious but they cause pain and may cause unpleasantness while eating. The exact reason for the appearance of aphtae is not known, but triggers may include minor injury, food sensitivities, deficiency in B12/ zinc/ folic acid/ iron, H. pylori infection, hormonal changes and emotional stress. They usually go away on their own after 1-2 weeks.
Additional names
This group contains additional names:
- Oral lesions
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms include round or oval sores with white or yellow center and a red border; they develop on the tongue, under the tongue, inside the cheeks or the bases of the gums. A day or two before they appear, a burning or tingling sensation may be felt, followed by pain when the aphtae appear.
Diagnosis
Aphtae are seen with a visual exam.
Treatment
Treatment is usually not necessary as it resolves on its own, unless the ulcer is very painful and persistent. Treatment may include mouth rinses, topical products for pain relief, and nutritional supplements.
☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.
Learn more about our editorial process for content accuracy.
Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:
Find people who are
experiencing a similar
medical reality
Free
Alike Wisdom
Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences
You might also like