During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through many changes. Some of these changes are positive, like the skin absorbing more moisture resulting in it being healthier and glowing , while some can be challenging and uncomfortable like mouth ulcers. Due to the lowered strength of the immune system and hormonal imbalances, mouth ulcers can commonly affect women during pregnancy. The good news however, is that these ulcers are not serious, nor are they a sign of anything wrong with either the mother or the baby. They can also be managed and cured very easily.
These open sores ulcers also known as cold sores or Aphthous stomatitis, are small white or yellow spots present in and around the mouth that are surrounded by a circle of red, They can occur anytime during pregnancy. Mouth ulcers during early pregnancy can be an indicator of shortage of vitamins like vitamin b12 and minerals like zinc or iron. Some supplements for canker sore during early pregnancy may have negative side effects too.
Note: We recommend you consult a physician before consuming any kind of supplement.
Mouth ulcers are not all the same. In fact, there are three very distinct types of mouth ulcers:
The cause of ulcers can manifest at any time during the period of expectancy for a pregnant woman, this is due to a weaker immune system and major hormonal imbalances. Ulcers are also issues for people who are not pregnant. They can have numerous external sources for both pregnant women and everybody else. It is important to understand the cause so that you can either prevent or manage an outbreak.
The most common symptom of an ulcer is the wound inside the mouth. These are common for anyone regardless of whether they are pregnant or not. You can identify ulcers during pregnancy with symptoms like:
Mouth ulcers during the third trimester of pregnancy can also cause a loss of energy, lethargy and in rare cases, it may cause bleeding of the gums.
There are numerous different ways to treat mouth ulcers. You can treat them both naturally and with medication. The kind of medication depends on the seriousness of the ulcer and how far along you are during your pregnancy. Before trying any medication always remember to consult a physician and understand the risks of the same if there are any, the dosage and the physician’s recommendations. Using ulcer ointments can be the easiest medicated way to treat ulcers but be careful when using these, some contain steroids that may impact the pregnancy.
It is recommended a doctor diagnoses and treats your ulcers personally as the immuno-requirements for pregnant women is much higher. Whether natural or medicinal treatments, consult a physician for a complete plan of treatment.
Apart from natural preventionsand medicine based treatments, there are also natural cures for mouth ulcers, these should be administered with care.
Aside from the medicated treatment or natural treatment, integrate these habits to help you prevent ulcers:
Dental hygiene and a good diet will help support and improve the immune system. Managing stress is also an important factor in combating mouth ulcers when pregnant. Doing prenatal yoga and spending some time meditating is an excellent way to balance out your hormones temporarily as well as managing stress long term.
Remember to talk to your doctors before starting a new routine, implementing any alternative treatments or integrating new activities and foods into your diet. Never exceed dosages of medications or self-medicate. Communicate with any caregivers if they are around and keep them informed about the doctor’s instructions and recommendations regarding the mouth ulcers. If you have any questions regarding the side effects of medications or herbal/ natural therapy for mouth ulcers, have open discussions with your primary health care physician and address your fears. This will help decrease stress levels.