Aphthous Ulcer
Some people may find that they are getting various sores in their mouth. Many of these sores are a form of aphthous ulcer. These are also called mouth ulcers. There are three common types of aphthous ulcers that are known to occur. They are minor aphthous ulcers, major aphthous ulcers and pinpoint aphthous ulcers. Each of these aphthous ulcer types has different characteristics to them.
An aphthous ulcer is the most common type of mouth ulcer to occur. You will be able to find them anywhere in the mouth. In the first aphthous ulcer which is that of the minor aphthous ulcer the lesions are small, round or oval shaped and they are 10 mm across. They have a pale yellow color to them, however the surrounding area will be swollen and red.
Usually only one aphthous ulcer will develop but there is a possibility of five occurring at the same time. Each of these aphthous ulcers can last for about 7 to 10 days. There will be no scar left when the ulcer disappears. These aphthous ulcer are not painful.
The next type of aphthous ulcer is that of major aphthous ulcer. These ulcers will occur in about 1 out of 10 cases. The size of this aphthous ulcer is 10 mm or bigger. Generally there will only be 1 or 2 of these ulcers. They can last from about two weeks to several months and they can be very painful. This type of aphthous ulcer will leave a scar and eating may prove to be difficult.
Pinpoint aphthous ulcers are the last type of aphthous ulcer to occur. Like the major aphthous ulcer these ulcers will affect about 1 in 10 cases of aphthous ulcers. The lesions are found to be very small. They are about 1 to 2 mm across. There will be a number of these aphthous ulcers that will occur at the same time. Generally they form together and in irregular shapes.
Each of these aphthous ulcers can last for a week or even two months. This aphthous ulcer is also given the name herpetiform ulcer. Luckily there is no connection between the herpes virus and the aphthous ulcer.
Many of the people who will get aphthous ulcer find that it first occurs after 10 years of age and that it will continue throughout the years until they are about 40. The amount of aphthous ulcers decrease as time passes. Some individuals have found that after they have passed their 40th year the chances of developing an aphthous ulcer have completely disappeared.