Mouth ulcers, while annoying, are generally benign. After all, a mouth ulcer can arise for nearly any reason, from quitting smoking to accidentally biting on your cheek. Even a trip to the dentist could cause an ulcer in many instances. That being said, there is no such thing as being too careful. If your mouth ulcer persists for longer than three weeks, you may want to ask “is my mouth ulcer a sign of something worse?” Since the mouth heals so rapidly, a persistent mouth ulcer may be an indication that something more harmful to your body is afoot.

While cold sores and canker sores, the two most common types of mouth ulcers, are caused by bacteria and viruses, these types pale in comparison to some of the living organisms that can arise in the form of mouth ulcers. Entamoeba histolytica, for example, is a parasite that manifests itself into mouth ulcers and, if untreated, can lead to painful and dangerous cysts. There are also several dangerous fungi that start as mouth ulcers and can cause serious complications down the road. Coccidioides immitis and Cryptococcus neoformans are both good examples and should be treated with antibiotics prescribed to you by your doctor.

Sometimes, though, your mouth ulcer is just a mouth ulcer. This doesn’t mean that the ulcer, in and of itself, still isn’t a signal of something that is otherwise wrong with your body. Many immunodeficiencies like Mono or HIV start rearing their heads in the form of mouth ulcers, at first. This is because your mouth is one of the most sensitive breeding grounds for infection and without a properly functioning immune system you are subject to ulceration quite easily. Autoimmunity, a related matter, is also a cause of mouth ulcers. Oral cancer also quite commonly begins as a mouth ulcer here and there. On a less frightening note, mouth ulcers can also just as easily (and actually more likely) be a sign that you have a food allergy that you may not be aware of. This can be determined by a doctor very quickly and, as long as you don’t eat anything you’re allergic to, these ulcers should become a thing of the past. Either way, remember that there is no such thing as being too careful. If you don’t like the way your mouth ulcer looks or feels, please consult a physician as soon as possible. Even the most harmful illnesses can often be overcome if treated early enough.

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