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Mouth Sores

Diseases
27 June 2024

Mouth sores (mouth ulcers) are a common phenomenon that may occasionally be painful and distressing. In most cases, they are caused by viruses. When one or two sores appear, they are defined as "aphthous", but multiple sores are generally associated with a systemic viral disease, such as herpes or a virus from the coxsackie family (the most common cause of foot-and-mouth disease), which can also be accompanied by rash or sores in other areas of the body.
It is also important to know that viral mouth sores are contagious, usually through direct contact with the sore or the child's saliva.

Treatment and prevention

There is no quick solution that heals mouth sores, but it is important to remember that in most cases viral diseases disappear on their own within approximately one week. If the sores in the mouth last longer, seek medical attention.

If the child suffers, here are several means that can help alleviate the suffering:

  • Let the child to drink using a straw to alleviate the pain.
  • Cold foods such as popsicles or frozen yogurt can help alleviate the pain.
  • It is important to be attentive to the child’s wishes regarding food, for example if there is a preference to eat soft or less acidic foods.
  • Try to gently brush teeth. For children who are old enough, salt water can be given to rinse and disinfect the mouth.

If the child still suffers a great deal, you can use painkillers, and if that does not help either, consult the physician about the use of an anesthetic gel or spray.

Important to emphasize: the Ministry of Health emphasizes that the use of goat milk to treat mouth sores has not yet been proven as effective, and that unpasteurized goat milk (directly from the goat) may be dangerous for the child due to the presence of bacteria and other contaminants that can cause a serious illness. Additionally, the effectiveness of using goat milk directly from the goat versus using pasteurized goat milk that is sold in stores, has not been proven to date.

Mouth sores (mouth ulcers) are a common phenomenon that may occasionally be painful and distressing. In most cases, they are caused by viruses. These generally small, round or oval sores appear on the mucous membranes of the mouth (the inside of the lips and cheeks as well as under the tongue).

When one or two sores appear, they are defined as "aphthous" but multiple sores are generally associated with a systemic viral disease, such as the herpes virus or a virus from the coxsackie family (the most common cause of foot-and-mouth disease), which can also be accompanied by rash or sores in other areas of the body.

Although bothersome, it is important to remember that in most cases viral diseases disappear on their own within approximately one week. If the sores in the mouth last longer, seek medical attention.

In the following article, you can obtain all the information about mouth sores, the causes of their appearance, the infection, treatment and preventive measures.

Infection

Viral mouth sores are contagious, usually through direct contact with the sore or the child's saliva.

Treatment

As mentioned, mouth sores generally disappear on their own within approximately one week without special treatment but may occasionally be extremely bothersome. If the child suffers, here are several means that can help alleviate the suffering:

  • Allow the child to drink using a straw to alleviate the pain.
  • Cold foods such as popsicles or frozen yogurt can help alleviate the pain.
  • It is important to be attentive to the child’s wishes regarding food, for example if there is a preference to eat soft or less acidic foods.
  • Try to gently brush teeth. For children who are old enough, salt water can help rinse and disinfect the mouth.

If the child still suffers a great deal, you can use painkillers, and if that does not help either, consult the physician about the use of an anesthetic gel or spray.

Important to emphasize

Important to emphasize

The Ministry of Health emphasizes that the effectiveness of the use of goat milk to treat mouth sores has not yet been proven, and that unpasteurized goat milk (directly from the goat) may be dangerous for the child due to the presence of bacteria and other contaminants that can cause a serious illness. Additionally, the effectiveness of using goat milk directly from the goat versus using pasteurized goat milk that is sold in stores has not been proven to date.

Prevention

There are not many ways to prevent the appearance of mouth sores, but if it is a contagious disease, you can adhere to several rules that can help prevent further infection (especially if there is already a sick person at home):

  • Personal hygiene: explain the importance of washing hands before and after meals. If there are sores in the mouth, it is important to wash the hands with soap and water following contact with the mouth and saliva.
  • Avoid eating and drinking with the same utensils: do not share cutlery, do not drink from the same glass and do not eat mouth to mouth, especially when there is an infectious patient at home.
  • Disinfect surfaces and objects: clean and wash objects and toys that a sick child has touched before a healthy child makes any contact with them. In addition, it is advised to replace towels frequently.

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