What are the differences between mouth ulcers and oral ulcers?

Generally speaking, the differences between aphthous ulcers and oral ulcers include lesion severity, etiological differences, clinical manifestations, treatment approaches, and prognosis. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Lesion Severity

Oral ulcers usually refer to general, mild oral mucosal ulcers that are self-limiting. Aphthous ulcers may refer to recurrent aphthous stomatitis, which tends to be more severe and prone to recurrence.

2. Etiological Differences

Oral ulcers have multiple causes, including bites, burns, traumatic factors, immune system abnormalities, genetics, and environmental factors. The causes of aphthous ulcers are more complex and may involve genetic, immunological, environmental, and other factors, with the exact mechanisms not yet fully understood.

3. Clinical Manifestations

Both oral ulcers and aphthous ulcers present similarly, with white or yellow ulcerated areas on the oral mucosa, surrounded by red halos and accompanied by a burning sensation. However, aphthous ulcers tend to recur more easily and may present with larger and deeper ulcerated areas.

4. Treatment Approaches

The treatment of aphthous ulcers mainly focuses on symptom relief and promoting healing, using medications such as corticosteroid-containing oral adhesive patches, mouthwashes, and local anesthetics. Treatment for oral ulcers depends on the specific cause, including anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, and nutritional supplements.

5. Prognosis

Ordinary oral ulcers are usually self-limiting and generally heal spontaneously within 1–2 weeks. Aphthous ulcers, due to their deeper tissue involvement, may take longer to heal, but can gradually resolve with appropriate treatment.

In daily life, people often regard these two conditions as the same. For accurate medical diagnosis and treatment recommendations, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.