What department should you visit for mouth ulcers?
Disease description:
Hello doctor, my husband has recently developed several ulcers in his mouth. He is experiencing so much pain that he has difficulty eating and speaking clearly. We are not quite sure which department to visit at the hospital and are worried about registering for the wrong department and wasting time. Previously, he occasionally had ulcers, but this time they are particularly severe and have not healed for a long time. For this kind of oral ulcer condition, which department should we register with?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Chao
Oral ulcers are a common oral mucosal disease with complex causes. It is usually recommended to seek treatment at departments specializing in oral mucosa, stomatology, pediatrics, rheumatology and immunology, or gastroenterology.
For simple oral ulcers, it is generally recommended to visit the oral mucosal department. Doctors in this department have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating oral mucosal diseases, can accurately assess the condition, and provide appropriate treatment plans, such as prescribing medications to promote ulcer healing and pain relief. If there is no dedicated oral mucosa department in the hospital, the general stomatology department is also suitable.
In children with oral ulcers, additional factors such as picky eating habits and poor oral hygiene may be involved. In general hospitals, parents can choose either the pediatrics or stomatology department. In specialized oral hospitals, visiting the pediatric dentistry department is recommended, as doctors there are more skilled in managing children's oral problems and can develop treatment and care plans tailored to children's specific needs.
If oral ulcers recur frequently and are accompanied by systemic symptoms such as joint pain, rashes, or eye inflammation, they may be related to immune system abnormalities. In such cases, a visit to an immunology or rheumatology and immunology department is necessary to rule out autoimmune diseases.
If oral ulcers are accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain or diarrhea, they may be associated with digestive system disorders. In this case, consultation with a gastroenterology department is required. Gastroenterologists can evaluate the condition of the digestive tract through related examinations, such as gastroscopy or colonoscopy, and screen for gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis or ulcerative colitis.
During treatment, patients should follow medical advice, maintain good oral hygiene, and adopt healthy lifestyle habits to promote the healing of oral ulcers.
