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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