Abstract
Mouth ulcers, also known as aphthous ulcers, are one of the most common oral mucosal disorders affecting a significant proportion of the global population. These lesions are often painful, recurrent, and can interfere with normal eating, speaking, and swallowing. Although generally self-limiting, they can severely affect the quality of life and may indicate underlying systemic disorders. The exact etiology of mouth ulcers is multifactorial, involving nutritional deficiencies, trauma, stress, immunological dysregulation, and genetic predisposition. Conventional management relies on symptomatic relief with topical anesthetics, corticosteroids, and systemic agents, while newer approaches include nanotechnology-based delivery systems, mucoadhesive formulations, and natural herbal remedies. This review comprehensively explores the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, and advances in therapeutic management of mouth ulcers. Future perspectives and research trends are also discussed to highlight novel treatment strategies.
Keywords
Mouth ulcer, Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), Oral ulcers, Etiology of mouth ulcers, Clinical features, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Treatment and management, Herbal and conventional therapy, Photobiomodulation therapy
Introduction
Oral health plays a crucial role in overall human well-being, as the oral cavity serves as the primary gateway for food intake, communication, and social interaction [1]. Disorders of the oral cavity not only impair these essential functions but may also contribute to systemic complications. Among these conditions, mouth ulcers (aphthous ulcers) represent one of the most frequently encountered oral mucosal lesions worldwide [2]. A mouth ulcer is defined as a localized loss of the mucosal epithelium that results in painful, shallow, and round or oval lesions with an erythematous halo [3]. These ulcers often occur on the non-keratinized mucosa, such as the inside of the cheeks, lips, tongue, and floor of the mouth. Clinically, they present as small lesions that may be solitary or multiple, recurrent, and self-limiting in nature [4].
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Nikam Mohan
Corresponding author
Matoshri College of Pharmacy, Eklahare, Nashik
Ragini Kadvekar
Co-author
Matoshri College of Pharmacy, Eklahare, Nashik
Nikam Mohan*, Ragini Kadvekar, A Comprehensive Review Article on Mouth Ulcer, Int. J. Sci. R. Tech., 2025, 2 (10), 275-290. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17342417
10.5281/zenodo.17342417
