Mouth Ulcers

   Written by: Muhammad Arif Rahimi

Mouth ulcers are normally small, painful lesions that develop in the mouth or at the base of gums. They could make eating, drinking, and talking uncomfortable.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients who suffer from mouth ulcers.

Sifatullah Wardak says: “sometimes I suffer mouth ulcers. Small white sores appear on the back of my lips and on the top of my tongue and gradually increase, and have a bad pain too.”

Manizha, a resident of Guldara district, Kabul province says: “when white ulcers appear on my tongue and mouth, I could not eat food easily; I suffer from drooling, dizziness, and headache.”

A physician, doctor Sayed Amen Noori Wardak says: “the mouth ulcers could be as blisters, these blisters appear on tongue, palate or on the gum, and then they form a white layer. The patient could not eat food easily and he/she also would suffer from body pain, headache, and fever.”

What do people think about the causes of mouth ulcers?

Basharmal, a resident of Nangarhar province says that some eggplants and stale foods cause mouth ulcers but Gul Ghotai says that if someone doesn’t care about her/his teeth cleanliness, she/he might face mouth ulcers.

Doctor Wardak confirms what the people say and adds that several things could lead to mouth ulcers. Usually, a mouth sore might develop if you: bite your tongue, or lip; burn your mouth; brush your teeth too hard or not keep your teeth clean; not washing hands after going to the toilet; eating contaminated foods, fruits, and water could also be the causes of mouth ulcers.

Prevention and Treatment:

Basharmal says: “I always wash my hands after going to the toilet with soap and water and before meals, and have not faced mouth ulcers yet.”

Doctor Wardak says: “If we keep vegetables and fresh fruits in salt water for half an hour and then wash them with clean water; if we do not eat stale foods; pay attention to our cleanliness and brush our teeth at least one or two times daily, we would prevent many diseases including mouth ulcers.”