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Are Mouth Ulcers Common In Pregnancy?
Canker sores, mouth ulcers, or aphthous stomatitis in pregnancy are common. You may have a single sore at one time or three to four together. These small water-filled oral lesions are usually found on the mouth’s soft tissue, such as the tongue, inside the lips, and inner cheeks.
Mouth ulcers may cause pain and discomfort, but they are harmless during pregnancy. They are usually temporary and go away in one or two weeks. Sometimes, aphthous stomatitis may occur recurrently but does not affect the baby in any way.
Learn about the causes of mouth ulcers in pregnancy, their symptoms, and treatment methods.
Why Do You Get Mouth Ulcers When Pregnant?
The exact causes of mouth ulcers in pregnancy are not known. However, there are different theories (1) (2) (3).
- Hormonal changes: Fluctuation of hormones during pregnancy could be one of the reasons for canker sores on your lips, inside the cheeks, or on your tongue.
- Stress or trauma: Physical trauma (toothbrush, tongue bite, etc.) or maternal stress could also cause mouth ulcers. Although there is no specific evidence to prove this theory in the case of pregnant women, they are the common reasons for mouth ulcers.
- Food sensitivity: Food allergies (especially with acidic or spicy foods) might be responsible for canker sores in the mouth.
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- HematiniciXSubstance for the proper functioning of the blood and prevention of anemia. deficiency: Deficiency of folateiXThe vitamin B9 responsible for the formation of red blood cells and healthy cell growth. , iron, and vitamin B12 could also be responsible for developing mouth ulcers. However, taking proper and relevant medications or supplements can help in reducing canker stones. This is a common etiology. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 20% canker sore cases are related to hematinic deficiencies (iron, vitamin B6, folate and B12). However, other deficiencies such as zinc, thiamine, or vitamin D may also be present.
- Others: Stress-induced or maternal salivary changes, a weak maternal immune system, tobacco, or broken teeth or dentures could be some other reasons for getting mouth ulcers.
Understanding the symptoms and signs will help you figure out what kind of mouth ulcers you have so that you can treat them accordingly.
Symptoms Of Mouth Ulcers In Pregnancy
Listed here are a few kinds of mouth ulcers with different treatment options.
- You might get red, pink, white, or gray mouth ulcers on your tongue, inside your cheeks, or your lips.
- Mouth ulcers usually give you a burning sensation, and sometimes even pain.
- It becomes difficult to eat and talk when you get mouth ulcers.
Canker sores during pregnancy can be irritable. Nevertheless, you may try some home remedies and other treatments to reduce them.
Quick factHow To Treat Mouth Ulcers In Pregnancy?
If the mouth ulcers are benign, you can try out some home remedies. But when they are frequent or spreading, you should go to a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Here are a few home remedies that might help in easing the pain and redness of mouth ulcers.
Home remedies
- Try to avoid spicy and acidic foods when you have a mouth ulcer.
- Stop the use of tobacco. It is not only unhealthy for pregnancy but also worsens your mouth ulcers (4).
- You may rinse with salt water or apply hydrogen peroxide and water mixture (1:1) on the sores. Apply ice cubes on the sores to relieve pain.
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- Use hexadine mouthwash twice or thrice a day for rinsing your mouth and killing bacteria.
- Cantaloupe, celery, and carrot juice are known to be helpful. But ask your healthcare provider before you consume these (2).
- Drink a lot of water but do not have acidic or fizzy drinks.
Medications
In case your mouth ulcers do not disappear after two weeks, or they are causing discomfort, then consult a doctor.
- Your doctor might prescribe different toothpaste or even a gel to apply on the mouth ulcers.
- Based on your health, the doctor might suggest certain nutrient-rich foods or supplements.
- The doctor might prescribe medications that would help treat your mouth ulcers.
Quick tipHow Long Does It Take For Mouth Ulcers To Heal?
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It takes one to three weeks for benign mouth ulcers to heal. And it might take longer, say two to four weeks, for multiple or frequent occurrences of mouth ulcers to go away (5). When you are pregnant, you might want to wait for a couple of weeks for canker sores to disappear. If that doesn’t happen, you can go to the doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can mouth ulcers be a sign of an STD during pregnancy?
Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as herpes, can cause mouth ulcers (8). Oral herpes can occur when the herpes virus type 2 (HSV-2) is spread to the mouth during oral sex (9). If you are worried about having an STI, seeking advice from a healthcare provider is crucial.
2. Can mouth ulcers be a sign of oral cancer during pregnancy?
Oral cancers may cause mouth ulcers. It is characterized by lumps or ulcers that are pale, dark red, or discolored. It is often associated with other symptoms such as speech difficulty, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, numbness and loosening teeth, and bad breath (10).
3. Can mouth ulcers indicate an autoimmune disorder during pregnancy?
Autoimmune disorders such as Lupus or Behcet disease may cause mouth ulcers (11). It can be promptly diagnosed by conducting a blood test.
4. Can mouth ulcers signify a bacterial or viral infection during pregnancy?
Mouth ulcers in pregnancy may be uncomfortable, but they are unlikely to cause complications. They may occur due to hormonal changes, maternal stress, maternal vitamin deficiency, or food sensitivities. You may notice red, pink, or white ulcers on your tongue or cheeks. These ulcers make eating and talking difficult because of the burning sensation and pain. However, they go away in one to three weeks. Optimal maternal nutrition, rinsing your mouth with salt water, and avoiding spicy foods can help quick recovery. If the mouth ulcers take time to heal, you may contact a doctor for medications.
Infographic: How To Treat Mouth Ulcers In Pregnancy?
Mouth ulcers are a common and sometimes uncomfortable problem during pregnancy. These painful sores can make eating and drinking difficult and even interfere with speaking and daily activities. So if you are experiencing this pain, explore the infographic below for tips on treating it effectively. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Canker sores are painful sores in the mouth. Learn about their causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in this video.
Key Pointers
- Mouth ulcers or canker sores are common during pregnancy.
- They may be caused by hormone fluctuations, stress, food sensitivity, hematinic deficit, cigarettes, and chipped teeth.
- Mouth ulcers usually resolve within one to three weeks.
- Symptoms of mouth ulcers include red, pink, white, or grey lesions on the tongue, lips, or inner cheeks.
- Home remedies such as avoiding hot and acidic foods, or rinsing with salt water can be used to treat mouth ulcers during pregnancy.
References
1. Mouth ulcers; NHS
2. D. R. McBride; Management of Aphthous Ulcers; American Academy of Family Physicians (2000)
3. R. S. Rogers; Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis in the Diagnosis of Behcet’s Disease; Yonsei Medical Journal (1997)
4. Mouth sores; Mount Sinai
5. Crispian Scully and Rosemary Shotts; Mouth ulcers and other causes of orofacial soreness and pain; Western Journal of Medicine
6. Hormones and Oral Health; Cleveland Clinic
7. Mouth ulcers; The Victorian Government
8. Mouth ulcers; Mount Sinai
9. Herpes – oral; Mount Sinai
10. Oral cancer; Mount Sinai
11. Canker Sores; Cleveland Clinic
12. Hand-foot-mouth disease; Mount Sinai
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