Published: June 26, 2024 | Last Updated on: June 26, 2024
| by HemaHere’s everything you need to know about mouth ulcers in babies and kids. Find out how they look, what causes them and how they can be treated.
As new parents, it’s quite exciting to occasionally peek into your baby’s mouth to see if that tiny first tooth has erupted. After all, you can’t wait to capture that adorable toothy smile! However, sometimes you can be met with an unpleasant surprise, in the form of a mouth ulcer.
What are mouth ulcers?
Mouth ulcers are little sores that may appear anywhere in the mouth area, like lips, tongue, gums, inner cheeks or the roof of the mouth. Mouth ulcers affect both adults and children – studies have found that about 9% of children and 25% of young adults are affected. Most cases of mouth ulcers are seen in children between the ages of 10-19 years.
The most common form of mouth ulcers in children is canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers. Mouth ulcers may appear one at a time or in a cluster, and they may change in size and color. While most mouth ulcers are not contagious, sometimes they can be, if they’re part of an infection. Here’s everything you need to know about mouth ulcers in babies and kids, including symptoms, causes and treatment.
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Signs of Mouth Ulcers In Babies and Kids
Signs of canker sores are similar in babies and kids, and usually look like these:
Appear small, and round with a yellowish-white tinge
May have a red border around them
Are about 1/4 inch in diameter
Appear alone or in clusters
Usually pop up inside the cheeks and lips
Are painful even when not eating or drinking
May cause tingling or burning before the sores actually appear
If the ulcer is due to trauma or an injury, the ulcer may start out as a small patch and grow into a bigger one. Fever is usually not a symptom unless the sores are due to an infection.
Mouth Ulcers v/s Cold Sores
Mouth ulcers or canker sores are not to be confused with cold sores. Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), also known as the cold sore virus. Unlike canker sores, cold sores are contagious, especially in the first few days of the infection.
Cold sores appear as painful white blisters around the cheeks, chin, lips and nose. These are accompanied by fever, fatigue and irritability. In babies, the virus can be serious and even fatal, especially in newborns.
Mouth Ulcers v/s Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is a common fungal infection seen in babies and young children, and it is different from mouth ulcers. Oral thrush appears as milky white patches on the tongue and inside the mouth. It may be accompanied by an infection in the diaper area and requires antifungal medication.
Reasons for Mouth Ulcers In Babies and Kids
In Babies:
In Kids:
Mouth injuries due to biting the tongue or inside of the cheek
Accidental injuries due to hard brushing
Toothpaste with irritating ingredients
Consumption of extremely hot foods
Food allergies
Vitamin deficiencies
Ill-fitting braces or improper fillings
Family history of canker sores
Hormonal fluctuations, which make girls more likely to get canker sores, especially before their period
Stress or anxiety
Chronic medical conditions like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease
Side effects of certain medicines
In the majority of cases, mouth ulcers are non-serious, and often clear up on their own in a couple of weeks. However, they are quite painful, especially in the first few days, and can affect the child’s appetite and hydration. To make things easier for your child, here are a few home remedies you can try.
Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcers In Babies and Kids
In Babies:
If you’re breastfeeding, continue to do so
If you are bottle feeding, you may need to change the nipple to one that is very soft
If your baby can’t suck on the bottle at all, offer fluids by a spoon or syringe
Offer fluids in small doses, at frequent intervals to prevent dehydration
Let baby suck on something cold, like a clean cloth soaked in cold water
For babies who have started solids, avoid anything spicy or sour
Most teething remedies will also help relieve pain from mouth ulcers
In Kids:
Make sure your child stays hydrated, by drinking a variety of fluids
Cold drinks like milkshakes and slushies may offer more relief
If your child finds it painful to drink, let they try drinking through a straw
Offer soft foods like mashed potatoes, mushy oatmeal or well cooked pasta
Avoid hard or abrasive foods that can hurt, like chips, biscuits or toast
Stay away from salty, spicy and acidic foods like fruit juice, lemons and tomatoes
Opt for cold foods over hot meals
Avoid chewing gum or any food with too much sugar
Use a toothbrush with extra soft bristles
Choose a toothpaste that is free from sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)
Extra Precautions for Cold Sores
If your child has been diagnosed with cold sores, you will need to ensure that it does not spread to other members of the family. Here are a few precautions to consider:
Do not touch the cold sores and ask them not to do so too
Avoid touching other parts of the body too, like around the eyes or nose
Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially if you happen to touch the sore
Have a separate set of utensils for the child to use while ill
Keep the child home from school till the sores have completely healed
Medical Treatment for Mouth Ulcers In Babies and Kids
If your child is in a lot of pain, you may administer some paracetamol. Always speak to the doctor first and follow the instructions regarding dosage.
Children over the age of 1 may also find relief with a liquid antacid like Milk of Magnesia. You can either spray a few drops on the affected area or apply it on with a cotton swab, after every meal. Avoid regular mouthwashes since they may be too harsh.
Mouth ulcers in babies and kids usually go away in two weeks’ time, but if they keep recurring, your doctor may need to run extra tests to see if there is any other underlying cause. See your doctor if your child exhibits any of the following symptoms:
Sores last longer than 3 weeks
Swollen, red and tender gums
Toothache
Bloody crusts on the lips
Swelling in the face
Large lymph node under the jaw
Signs of dehydration – dry mouth, no tears, dark urine or no urine in over 8 hours
You should also see the doctor if the sores have appeared after starting a new medication. It could be a reaction and require medical attention right away.
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