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.