Difference between oral ulcers and thrush

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Oral ulcers and thrush are somewhat different. First, oral ulcers can occur in people of any age, but are more common in the elderly and children, mainly due to a low immune system. Thrush, on the other hand, commonly occurs in infants within the first six months after birth, mainly caused by an infection with Candida albicans. Clinically, oral ulcers may present with redness, swelling, and significant pain. Thrush is an infection by Candida albicans that occurs on the newborn's tongue, which may affect the infant's feeding, causing crying or refusal to eat. Generally, thrush is caused by an infection with Candida albicans and is a type of fungal infection, whereas most oral ulcers are due to poor nutrition or unbalanced nutrition.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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What are the signs before the onset of oral ulcers?

Oral ulcers are a type of erosion of the oral mucosa that generally do not show any particular signs before they develop. They may occur when a person’s immune resistance is low, possibly associated with symptoms of "getting heated" (a traditional Chinese medicine concept often referring to inflammation or infection). When oral ulcers occur, the affected area of the mucous membrane becomes eroded and painful, creating a sensation of a foreign object in the mouth that can disrupt the eating and drinking habits of the patient. Eating can become painful, and in severe cases, the patient might be unable to eat at all. Therefore, it is advised that patients seek timely treatment for oral erosion to avoid affecting their intake of food. During this time, nutritional supplementation is necessary for healing. If nutrition is not adequately maintained, it might impede the healing of the eroded oral tissue.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Can mouth ulcers patches be used for tongue ulcers?

When a patient has a tongue ulcer, it is possible to use oral ulcer patches. Since tongue ulcers are a type of oral ulcer, the same medication used in traditional Chinese medicine can also be applied. This includes using oral ulcer patches or lozenges, which can be directly applied to the ulcerated surface. These treatments can promote the healing of the ulcer and play a crucial role in the treatment of the ulcer. Additionally, when experiencing a tongue ulcer, patients should drink more water, eat a bland diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from overeating, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, and appropriately supplement with some vitamins, all of which can help in the body’s recovery and adjustment.

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Written by Zhang Yin Xing
Obstetrics
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What should pregnant women do about oral ulcers?

Generally speaking, for recurrent oral ulcers, due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, most female patients experience fewer occurrences of oral ulcers. If oral ulcers occur during pregnancy, treatment can be based on the cause: First, if the oral ulcers are caused by bites or burns, Kangfuxin solution or watermelon frost spray can be used for local treatment to accelerate the healing of the ulcer. Second, if the oral ulcers are due to vitamin deficiency, the patient should pay attention to oral hygiene and can appropriately take oral vitamin tablets to enhance resistance and promote the healing of the ulcer. During the outbreak of ulcers, it is important to avoid eating spicy and irritating foods, and antibiotics are not needed for oral ulcers. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
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Causes of Baby's Oral Ulcers

Baby's oral ulcers generally are considered under the following circumstances: The first type is caused by infections, such as viral infections, herpes, etc.; the second type might be due to a deficiency in vitamins or trace elements, such as when children are picky eaters, which can lead to poor nutrition and vitamin deficiencies. The third type is traumatic oral ulcers which might occur if the child does not often chew hard objects; these are the general scenarios. We should always encourage children to eat fresh vegetables and fruits to prevent the occurrence of oral ulcers. Since vitamin deficiency is the most common cause of oral ulcers, it is important to consume fresh vegetables and fruits and avoid habits like children biting their fingers or eating random items, which might cause infection-induced ulcers. If the child uses medicine spray like "Kaikoujian", and it works well, that's adequate for home observation. If after using the medication and increasing the intake of vegetables and fruits, the results are not ideal, then it is necessary to visit the hospital promptly. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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How to manage oral ulcers in summer

When patients experience oral ulcers, it may be due to hot weather in the summer or poor diet, leading to loss of appetite and lack of certain nutrients. It is recommended that patients adjust their diets accordingly, consuming light foods and staying hydrated. If patients lack appetite, they can eat some fresh vegetables and fruits to adjust their diet. Additionally, it is crucial for patients to avoid spicy and irritating foods, as these can worsen the ulcers and cause symptoms of heatiness. Therefore, during summer when experiencing oral ulcers, local treatment is also necessary. Topical medications for oral ulcers can be used to help heal the ulcerative lesions.