Aphta

Aphta

Aphta are painful, small open wounds that are located in the oral mucosa (mondslijmvlies). The oral mucosa is damaged and then the nerves lie open. These open nerves lead to pain. One in 5 people have aphta.

They are one of the most unpleasant reasons of pain in the mouth that can give you discomfort. This sometimes even means that you cannot concetrate well, or speak in a normal way, or eat or drink. They give you much irritation and stress that influence your daily life and well-being.

Aphta are not contagious (“besmettelijk”) unless the reason is by the herpes simplex virus. This virus also gives you cold sores (koortslip).

How do you get aphta

How you get aphta is not exactly known. An aphta is not contagious* and does not come from bacteria or a virus. Factors that play a role in the development of aphta are:

• infection with a virus or bacteria (for example when you have flu, the resistance is lowered and an aphta may follow);
• emotional stress, reduced resistance or tiredness;
• hereditary factors;
• damage to the mucous membrane (mondslijmvlies);
• not enough vitamins;
• eating or drinking hot or spicy food and/or drink;
• medication use;
• dentures or braces thast do not fit well;
• quantity and quality of the saliva;
• hormonal changes;
• dry mouth.

* Sores caused by Herpes Simplex (koortslip) are contagious!

Aphta can also occur with Crohn's disease, Behcet's syndrome, infection with HIV or because you do not have enough iron, folic acid or B vitamins. Children who have from cold sores may also have small inflammations in the mouth. Braces or dentures can also lead to mouth sores. The inside of the cheeks and lips are not yet used to wearing braces or dentures when they are new.

Characteristics of aphta

Aphta are mainly to be found on the tongue, gums, mouth rim or on the inside of the lip or cheek. They are round or oval, usually white, yellow or gray in the center and have a swollen red ring. Aphtha usually have a size of three to four millimeters. If there is a large aphta, it can take on a size of up to 1 centimeter in diameter. After a few days to two weeks, the aphta will shrink and eventually disappear. They may come back again.