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In this guide, we’ll look at what causes mouth ulcers to appear during pregnancy, consider the most common symptoms of mouth ulcers, and explore the treatments and self-help techniques that can be used to ease the pain and discomfort caused by mouth blisters.
Mouth ulcers are small, often-painful sores that appear inside the mouth, most commonly on the inside of the cheeks and lips, and occasionally on the tongue. Mouth ulcers are often caused by errant bites, cuts, burns from foods or drinks, or excess stress or fatigue, but they can also be symptoms of the hormonal imbalances triggered during pregnancy.
While they can be uncomfortable and or even painful, mouth ulcers are usually nothing to worry about. In most cases, they’ll clear up on their own within a week or two, plus there are various effective treatments and remedies that can speed up the healing process. If your mouth ulcers persist for more than 3 weeks (or they keep returning) you should speak to your GP or dentist.
Mouth ulcers can be triggered by hormonal changes in the body, so though pregnancy is not a direct cause of mouth ulcers, it can make them more likely to appear. While pregnant, a woman's immune system tends to be lower than normal, leaving her more susceptible to ailments such as the flu, the common cold, and mouth ulcers.
Due to hormonal changes and reduced immune-system strength, women can commonly develop mouth ulcers during pregnancy. Mouth ulcers are generally harmless and not contagious, thankfully, though they’re often accompanied by pain and discomfort. Since mouth ulcers in pregnant women can be managed and treated easily, there’s no need to worry about them.
Sudden hormonal shifts (which are entirely normal during pregnancy) can alter the chemical composition of the body, leading to the growth of mouth ulcers. With that said, there are other reasons why mouth ulcers can appear during pregnancy. Mouth ulcers are also common during periods, as they compromise immune system strength in a similar way.
The following things can prompt the appearance of mouth ulcers:
Most commonly, though, mouth ulcers are caused simply by damage or irritation to the inside of the mouth. Look out for the following:
Mouth ulcers are sometimes-painful sores that appear inside the mouth, but they can be tougher to notice when they’re not consistently painful. Look out for these symptoms:
These symptoms will not always present themselves, but you should speak to your GP if you’re worried about any unusual symptoms accompanying or indicating mouth ulcers.
While mouth ulcers will usually disappear on their own, there are a number of effective treatments and home remedies for mouth ulcers you can use to ease the pain and discomfort they cause and help them clear up quicker.
Most mouth ulcer gels are perfectly safe to use during pregnancy (or while breastfeeding, for that matter), but it’s always best to check with your doctor before using a gel treatment for mouth ulcers. While Orajel Toothache Gel is formulated to ease dental pain, it can also provide temporary relief from the pain caused by mouth ulcers in pregnancy.
Other effective over-the-counter mouth ulcer treatments include:
To speed up the healing process and reduce the chance of your mouth ulcer(s) returning, you can also make some changes to your habits. You may find that a combination of an effective over-the-counter mouth ulcer treatment and a revision of your habits will provide you with the best defence against mouth ulcers during pregnancy.
The following self-help measures can help clear up mouth ulcers:
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