Mouth Ulcers Causes: Viral Infections, Nutritional Deficiencies and Medications | SingHealth Duke-NUS Head and Neck Centre
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Mouth Ulcers

Mouth Ulcers - Symptoms

Mouth Ulcers - How to prevent?

Mouth Ulcers - Causes and Risk Factors

Mouth ulcers can be caused by the following:

  1. Viral Infections
    The Herpes Simplex Virus causes cold sores. The virus causes painful ulcers that are usually located over the lips or mouth. Although the ulcers may recover, the virus usually lies dormant (inactive) but can be activated by various triggers such as stress, or in women, their menstrual period. Other virus such as the Coxsackie, Varicella and HIV viruses can also cause mouth ulcers.
  2. Nutritional Deficiencies
    Deficiencies of certain vitamins (e.g. vitamin B12) and minerals (e.g iron, folate) can also predispose a person to recurrent ulcers.
  3. Medications
    Certain medications can cause ulcers as a side effect. These include drugs such as bisphosphonates (used for osteoporosis), NSAIDs (a class of pain-killer), beta-blockers and certain cytotoxic drugs.
  4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
    Patients with inflammatory bowel disease especially Crohn’s disease may also develop recurrent mouth ulcers.
  5. Behçet’s Disease
    Behçet’s disease is a poorly understood disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels throughout the body. Patients may develop recurrent mouth ulcers, eye inflammation, skin rashes as well as genital sores.
  6. Connective Tissue Diseases
    Patients with connective tissue diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Reactive Arthritis and Sweet’s Syndrome (rare skin disease, characterised by fever and appearance of tender solid red lumps).

Mouth Ulcers - Diagnosis

Mouth Ulcers - Treatments

Mouth Ulcers - Preparing for surgery

Mouth Ulcers - Post-surgery care

Mouth Ulcers - Other Information

The information provided is not intended as medical advice. Terms of use. Information provided by SingHealth

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