Oral ulceration (Part 2)

Ulceration is probably the oral mucosal condition seen most frequently by general dental practitioners. It is almost always painful and therefore sufferers are prompt to seek advice. An important exception to this generalisation is the occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma, which is often painl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British dental journal 2023-12, Vol.235 (12), p.940-945
Main Authors: A. O. Lewis, Michael, Lamey, Philip-John
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antimicrobial agents
Bacteria
Bacterial infections
Biopsy
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnosis
Clinical
Dentistry
Dentists
Gonorrhea
Head & neck cancer
Humans
Infections
Inflammation
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Malignancy
Mouth Neoplasms - diagnosis
Mouth Neoplasms - pathology
Mucosa
Necrosis
Oral cancer
Oral carcinoma
Oral hygiene
Oral squamous cell carcinoma
Oral Ulcer - diagnosis
Oral Ulcer - etiology
Professional Role
Radiation therapy
Sexually transmitted diseases
STD
Syphilis
Tuberculosis
Ulcers
Viruses
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Summary:Ulceration is probably the oral mucosal condition seen most frequently by general dental practitioners. It is almost always painful and therefore sufferers are prompt to seek advice. An important exception to this generalisation is the occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma, which is often painless in its early stages. Definitive diagnosis, which requires mucosal biopsy, is mandatory for any persistent area of oral ulceration. Key points Oral ulceration may be due to viral or bacterial infection, immune-mediated disease or the presence of malignancy. The presence of mouth cancer needs to be suspected for any ulcer persisting longer than three weeks and such a case should be referred urgently for specialist assessment. The initial management of oral ulceration involves identifying the cause and provision of topical anti-inflammatory or antiseptic agents.
ISSN:0007-0610
1476-5373
DOI:10.1038/s41415-023-6549-3