Aphthae In Children: Causes, Treatment And Prevention
Aphthous ulcers in children are small injuries that appear in the mouth that cause burning, pain, and great discomfort when eating.
In children, these injuries can turn into a real illness. Worst of all, canker sores in children can sometimes be very persistent, which is why it’s always good to know about possible treatments.
You don’t have to be an expert to spot mouth ulcers in children. They are round, white or yellowish in color and surrounded by an inflamed edge. In addition, their characteristic pain causes constant – and logical – discomfort in the children.
The symptoms are aggravated by the consumption of hot, salty, spicy or sour food, by drinking certain liquids or by brushing your teeth.
Aphthous ulcers in children – which, by the way, can also occur in infants – usually arise individually, but there can also be several. Larger aphthous ulcers are usually present for 7 to 10 days, but it can also take longer.
Causes of aphthous ulcers in children
It is difficult to determine the causes of canker sores in children. They often occur as a result of a viral infection. It can also be a reaction to certain foods, either from digestive problems or from allergic reactions.
Stress and a lack of vitamins and nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid can also be possible explanations for canker sores in children.
Oral problems, such as brushing your teeth too aggressively, dentures or a bite in the lip, can also trigger this immune reaction.
In any case, it is wise to address the problem instead of waiting for it to go away on its own.
How to treat canker sores in children
Aphthae appear on the gums, lips, inside of the cheeks, or even on the tongue. Because of this, they are exposed to all the food the child eats and can cause great pain.
Therefore, one should know how to treat canker sores in children. Here are some tips:
1. Have a doctor prescribe pain medication
The safest solution for curing aphthous ulcers in children will be determined by the doctor, especially if they are large aphthous ulcers. If the child has more severe symptoms, the doctor may order paracetamol to relieve the pain.
You can use the following aids to treat aphthae in children yourself. It is important to know that antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs usually do not work for aphthous ulcers.
2. Antiseptic solution
Antiseptic solutions are applied with a small cloth or in the form of a spray. With a small dose of antiseptic, about 3 to 4 times a day, the wounds usually disappear in a short time.
3. Mouthwashes
There are some over-the-counter medications that are effective for canker sores. However, the use of products containing alcohol should be avoided as they cause even more irritation.
However, rinsing with water and salt is effective. A traditional treatment method is to apply baking soda and water directly to the canker sore, but this is usually very painful.
4. Stronger drugs
Sometimes more specific medical intervention may be required to treat the cause of the aphtha. In these cases , drugs such as chlorhexidine rinses or corticosteroids are often prescribed.
When should I be concerned?
As mentioned earlier, canker sores in children can appear as a symptom of a viral infection. For this reason, if your child has other symptoms, such as fever or swollen glands, you should see a doctor to avoid further complications.
You should also make sure that the child’s everyday life is not affected by the suffering. See a doctor if your child feels bad and is in severe pain.
