How to Relieve Mouth Ulcer Pain
Aug 24, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Liwen
Introduction
To alleviate the discomfort of oral ulcers, topical anesthetics such as lidocaine gel may be applied directly to the ulcer site, or anesthetic mouth rinses—such as procaine-containing rinses—may be used. Additionally, spicy, hot, or hard foods should be avoided to prevent further injury to the ulcerated area. Oral ulcers may also result from dental malocclusion, sharp tooth cusps, poorly fitting dental restorations, accidental biting, or mucosal abrasions.
Oral ulcers are inflammatory lesions that cause mucosal erosion, penetrating through the basal layer of the mucosa and exposing nerve endings. External stimuli—particularly mechanical ones—can trigger pain, which often intensifies upon contact.
How to Relieve Oral Ulcer Pain
To alleviate discomfort from oral ulcers, topical anesthetics such as lidocaine gel may be applied directly to the ulcer site. Alternatively, anesthetic mouth rinses—such as procaine-containing solutions—can be used. Patients should also avoid spicy, hot, or hard foods to prevent further trauma to the ulcerated area. Dental issues—including malocclusion, sharp tooth cusps, poorly fitting dental restorations, accidental biting, or mucosal abrasions—require corrective measures, such as tooth contouring or replacement of ill-fitting prostheses.
Most oral ulcers are tolerable; however, a small number of patients experience severe pain so intense that eating becomes impossible. For such individuals, starting with soft, bland foods like congee (rice porridge) is recommended. Vegetables, lean meats, and legumes can be finely chopped or blended into the congee and allowed to cool before consumption. Prior to eating, rinsing the mouth with lidocaine solution may temporarily relieve pain—enabling food intake—but this practice should be limited to avoid potential drug dependence.
Patients with oral ulcers may take vitamin C supplements or increase dietary intake of vitamin C–rich foods, including kiwifruit, watermelon, cherries, and oranges. We hope this information proves helpful.
