Treatment of Recurrent Oral Aphthous Ulcerations

Abstract

Recurring aphthous ulceration is one of the commonest conditions affecting the mucous membrane of the mouth. It causes pain and suffering to the patient, more or less on an intermittent basis. The real aetiology is not definite. Although trauma maybe a precipitating cause, the hormonal, immunological and the psychosomatic aspect have been suggested as underlining causes. From the diverse observations, it has been proposed that there are a variety of causes or some unifYing factor, which maybe contributing to some of the causes of oral aphthous ulcerations. From the author's own experience, as an aphthous sufferer, he proposes that spicy-hot food and the change in climate may play some part. Clinical manifestation of aphthous ulcer maybe grouped as minor aphthous (Miculicz type), herpetiform and major aphthous.Behcet's syndrome is characterized by aphthous stomatitis associated with eye lesions and genital ulceration.
The most important feature, for diagnosis of aphthous ulcerations, is the history of recurrence at more or less regular intervals. It should be differentiated from herpectic stomatitis and oral cancer.