Aphthous Ulceration
An aphthous ulcer, more commonly known as a "canker sore", is a superficial, solitary round or oval punched-out sore that can occur in any part of the mouth. It has an unknown etiology but is has been found to be more common in females prior to menstruation. The ulcer appears as a round yellowish elevated spot surrounded by a red halo. There are certain factors that trigger the development of an aphthous ulcer and these include emotional stress, nutritional deficiency like iron or folic acid and even lack of sleep. It can also occur as an early manifestation of a systemic disease such as Behçet disease or coeliac disease. There is no cure for an aphthous ulcer and it usually heals spontaneously. However, the pain and discomfort can be treated by using local anesthetics, medicated toothpastes and antibacterial mouthwash.
