Identifying Crohn’s Mouth Ulcers

For individuals who unfortunately have developed an inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease, there are various symptoms they should be aware of that are not limited to strictly gastrointestinal issues. One of the more problematic things individuals can develop are mouth ulcers, and if you do not know what to expect of them, mouth ulcers can be especially worrying. So, for those who suffer from Crohn’s disease, here is how you can identify if you’ve developed mouth ulcers and how they can be managed.

Why Does Crohn's Disease Cause Ulcers?

There are specific reasons why this condition can cause ulcers to break out around or in a patient’s mouth—some of which include the following:

Poor nutrition : Oftentimes, Crohn's patients do not have a huge appetite, so a full, healthy diet is vital for fighting the illness and its symptoms like mouth ulcers. As when scurvy affected early sailors’ gums, so poor nutrition might leave the gums more prone to infection.

Systemic inflammation : When Crohn's flares up, a mouth ulcer tends to become worse, leading some to believe a connection exists between bodily inflammation and the effects of Crohn's on the immune system.

Insufficient hydration : Crohn’s diarrheal symptoms can lead to individuals easily becoming dehydrated, especially since many people do not realize they need more water before they are physically affected. Even minor dehydration can increase the risk of gum disease and mouth ulcers.

Types of Mouth Ulcers

There are several types of mouth ulcers brought on by Crohn’s, which often look like canker sores. The most common of these ulcers—minor aphthous ulcers—typically form in the gums, inner cheeks, lips, tongue, and the floor or roof of the mouth, accounting for possibly 85 percent of mouth ulcers.

Major aphthous ulcers, comprising of only about ten percent of Crohn’s mouth ulcer cases, develop as one to two bigger sores at one time and more commonly occur in patients who have deteriorated immune systems. On the other hand, herpetiform ulcers form in scores of roughly 100 small sores at once, occurring in five percent of (usually older) Crohn’s patients.

What You Can Expect

Minor aphthous ulcers often don't last more than two weeks though they still flare up from two to eight times per year. Usually appearing as one or more white, round sores, they occasionally bleed and cause red, painful, and swollen gums, but they often heal without leaving any scars behind.

Major ulcers can take up to six weeks or even more time to fully heal, and they can even inhibit one’s ability to eat and speak. Herpetiform ulcers can appear and disappear in a couple of weeks, but due to a cluster’s typical size, they can lead to serious pain and persistent ulceration.

Treatment

The best way to treat Crohn’s-based mouth ulcers is to prevent flareups in the first place, which can be done by exercising regularly, sticking to a nutritious diet, staying hydrated during the day, and practicing good oral hygiene for preventing gum disease from forming. If individuals see indications of mouth ulcers, they should immediately take strides to prevent the infection and reduce pain. Professionally-recommended products like mouth sore rise can also help cleanse and soothe mouth ulcers.

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