Canker sores in children: Is it a common disease?

Canker sores in children are a common condition that makes children very uncomfortable. Small sores on the lining of the lips, cheeks, and tongue make the child painful, easily irritated, and lazy to eat. This condition often worries parents because the baby cries a lot and eats poorly. Here is some information about canker sores as well as treatments that parents can learn to relieve some of their anxiety.

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• 1. Causes of mouth sores in children
• 2. Common symptoms 
• 3. Distinguishing aphthous ulcers from other cases
• 4. Treatment of canker sores in children
• 5. When should a child see a doctor?
• 6. How to prevent canker sores

1. Causes of mouth sores in children

Canker sores or canker sores are a condition in which the lining of the mouth loses its upper layer of mucous membrane. The exact cause of the disease is currently unknown. There are many factors thought to be involved in the development of ulcers, including:

• Certain foods can cause damage, such as: coffee, chocolate, cheese, nuts, citrus fruits, potatoes.
• Stress.
• Injury caused by biting on the cheek and tongue.
• Trauma from a toothbrush (such as hand slip while brushing teeth).
• Due to frequent rubbing with sharp teeth.
• Poor oral hygiene.
• Burns from eating hot food.
• Irritation from strong antiseptics, like mouthwash.
• Oral infection.
• Viral infection.
• Reactions to certain medications.
• Weakened immune system (the child may have another disease).
• Vitamin deficiencies, including iron deficiency anemia and deficiency of folate, zinc or vitamin B12.
• Poor nutrition.

>>> See more:  Hot mouth: The story does not know who to tell!

Some systemic conditions that can cause canker sores in children include:

• Autoimmune disease.
• An underlying gastrointestinal disease such as Crohn's disease.
• Cyclic leukopenia of mouth ulcers, fever and neutropenia
• Pathology of gluten sensitivity.
• Periodic fever syndrome (PFAPA); In which, children have fever, stomatitis, sore throat every 2-8 weeks.
• HIV.
• Behcets syndrome, with atopic stomatitis, recurrent genital ulcers, and ocular lesions.

Ulcers are common in children between 10 and 19 years of age. About one-third of children have aphthous ulcers, and the lesions continue to reappear for many years after the first one. Some sores in young children (under 10 years old) may be related to a viral infection. It is best to contact your dentist as soon as symptoms appear.

2. Common symptoms 

Symptoms of mouth ulcers often have the following characteristics:

• One or more painful sores on the lining of the mouth: lips, cheeks, tongue, gums.
• Red swelling around the ulcer.
• Causing pain.
• Difficulty eating, oral hygiene.
• Sores provoked by salty, spicy, or sour foods.
• The child is anorexic, fussy and may have a fever.
• Mouth sores usually go away in 7 to 14 days without treatment.

3. Distinguishing aphthous ulcers from other cases

• • Aphthous ulcers are circular sores in the soft tissues of the mouth. They can be red, white, or gray in color. The sores can be painful and interfere with eating and sleeping, but they are not contagious. Aphthous ulcers usually last for 7-14 days. The causes of aphthous ulcers can be: food allergies, stress, vitamin deficiency and local trauma…
  • Herpes gingivitis: caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus type 1. It is contagious and appears as fluid -filled blisters . Blisters can burst, leaving sores. During a flare, a child may have a fever, irritability, and pain.
  • Hand, foot and mouth disease caused by the Coxsackie virus. Children infected with the virus often have small red sores on the mouth, palms, and feet. Sometimes a rash on the legs and buttocks may also occur. Children often present with fever and lethargy.
  • Most mouth ulcers and burns appear red at first and turn white as they heal.

4. Treatment of canker sores in children

Mouth sores usually go away in 7 to 14 days without treatment.

However, we can apply some home remedies to ease the child's symptoms such as:

• Give your child pain relievers. Such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen , to treat pain and fever. Do not give ibuprofen to children 6 months of age or younger. Do not give aspirin to children younger than 19 years of age unless directed by a doctor. Taking aspirin can put your child at risk for Reye's syndrome. This is a rare but very serious disorder. It usually affects the brain and liver.
• Giving your child something cold can help soothe a sore mouth.
• Do not use spicy or acidic foods.
• Use a soft toothbrush for your child. Avoid using toothpaste that contains sodium lauryl sulphate.
• Use the following treatments only if your child is over 4 years old: Place a small amount of numbing gel on mouth sores to relieve pain. The gel may cause a brief stinging sensation when used.
• Have your child gargle with salt water or with baking soda and warm water. Careful monitoring is required to avoid swallowing these solutions. In addition, some of the following natural ingredients can be used to reduce mouth sores in children at home:

4.1 Honey

If the child is over one year old, you can use honey to treat mouth ulcers. Apply honey to the sores several times a day. Honey has excellent antibacterial properties, which will heal sores quickly.

Note: Do not use honey if the child is under one year old. You can refer to more information in the article:  Honey: Uses and things to know

4.2 Turmeric

Turmeric can be used to treat mouth ulcers in children. Its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial properties help heal any wound. For ease of use can mix it with honey.

4.3 Coconuts

Coconut can be useful in the treatment of ulcers. You can apply virgin coconut oil to the sores. However, do not use coconut oil on babies if they are younger than 1 year old.

4.4 Basil leaves

Basil leaves are also another great remedy for treating mouth ulcers. It contains medicinal properties that can cure ulcers in a flash.

4.5 Aloe vera

Aloe vera is also an option for healing mouth sores in children. It relieves pain and is antibacterial. You can apply the gel to the ulcer or mix it with water and use it to wash it 3 times a day. Use cold water to mix aloe vera. This increases pain relief and your child will enjoy it, too. It should only be tried if the child is an adult and only after consulting a doctor.

4.6 Licorice

You can soak a tablespoon of licorice root in 2 cups of water and have your child gargle twice a day. If you have the powder, you can mix it with some turmeric powder and honey and apply it on the sores. Licorice will act as an antiseptic. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain and swelling around the sores. However, this remedy should only be tried on older children.

In most cases, mouth ulcers reduce and go away without any long-term effects on children. These measures can only help speed up a child's recovery and reduce the likelihood of future relapses. It is best to consult a doctor before taking any measures.

5. When should a child see a doctor?

Take your child to the doctor immediately if he or she has any of the following symptoms:

• Mouth sores that do not heal in 14 days.
• More sore mouth.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Signs of infection around mouth sores (pus, discharge, or swelling).
• Signs of dehydration (little urine, extreme thirst, dry mouth, dizziness).
• Fever.
• Febrile convulsions.
• Weight loss.
• Passing blood or mucus.
• Ulcers around the anus.

5.1 How to check your child's fever

You can use a digital thermometer to check your child's temperature. Mercury thermometers should not be used. There are different types of digital thermometers. Includes mouth, ear, forehead (temporary), rectum, or armpit. Ear temperatures are often inaccurate for babies before 6 months of age. Do not check oral temperature until the child is at least 4 years old.

Be careful when using a rectal thermometer because it can be dangerous for your baby. It can cause the transmission of germs from the stool to the surrounding environment. Follow the product manufacturer's instructions for correct use. If you are not used to using a rectal thermometer, you can change it to a different one

5.2 Some temperature readings indicate a baby has a fever

Children under 3 months old:

• Rectal or forehead: 100.4oF (38oC) or higher.
• Armpit: 99oF (37.2oC) or higher.

Children from 3 months to 36 months (3 years old):

• Rectal, forehead, or ear: 102oF (38.9oC) or higher.
• Armpit: 101oF (38.3oC) or higher.

Children should be taken to the emergency room as soon as they show signs of:

• Repeat temperature of 104oF (40oC) or higher.
• Fever lasting more than 24 hours in a child younger than 2 years old.
• Fever persists for 3 days in children 2 years of age and older.

6. How to prevent canker sores

• Document the factors that cause mouth ulcers in children. Try to avoid foods that seem to irritate your child's mouth. These could be: nuts, chips, cookies, certain spices, salty foods, and acidic fruits like pineapple, grapefruit, and oranges. Avoid any foods to which your child is sensitive or allergic.
• Healthy nutrition for children. To help prevent nutritional deficiencies, give your child plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Practice good oral hygiene habits for your child. Clean children's teeth immediately after meals and often avoid the backlog of irritating foods. Use a soft brush to help prevent irritation to the oral tissues. Avoid toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
• Protect your child's mouth by avoiding putting sharp objects in the mouth. See your dentist for sharp areas of teeth.
• Reducing stress in children. Some mouth ulcers in children can be related to stress. Find out and help children reduce stress by comforting, caring, sharing with them.
• Avoid bringing children to environments or contact with high infectious factors.

Canker sores in children can be treated simply. Because heat in the mouth often makes children uncomfortable and anorexic, it causes concern for many parents. However, parents can find simple measures to help reduce pain and increase physical strength for children.

Doctor Truong My Linh