Singaw: What causes this mouth ulcer and what’s the best way to treat it?

Signs and symptoms of mouth ulcer or singaw

Mouth ulcers, commonly known as “singaw” in Filipino, are painful sores that appear on the mucous membrane lining the mouth. The symptoms and severity of singaw can vary depending on its underlying cause. Singaw sa bibig in English medical term refers to ulcers that can be treated with proper care and attention, especially when they become more severe.

Common Symptoms of Mouth Ulcers

1. Appearance:
   • Mouth ulcers typically present as round or oval sores with a white, yellow, or gray center and a red, swollen border.
   • They can develop on the inner cheeks, lips, tongue, the floor of the mouth, and the roof of the mouth.
2. Pain and Discomfort:
   • The affected area is usually tender and painful, making daily activities such as eating, drinking, and talking uncomfortable.
   • Pain is often exacerbated by consuming coarse, salty, spicy, or acidic foods and beverages, which can irritate the ulcer.
3. Inflammation:
   • The surrounding skin or mucous membrane may appear red and swollen.
   • Swelling can contribute to a feeling of tightness or pressure in the mouth.
4. Difficulty Chewing and Brushing:
   • Patients often experience difficulty chewing, especially with hard or abrasive foods, due to the pain and tenderness of the ulcer.
   • Brushing teeth can be particularly painful, leading to reduced oral hygiene and potential secondary infections.

Cause of singaw

When you have singaw, it is a sign that there is imminent loss or erosion in the softer mouth lining. These ulcers are usually tiny dots in your mouth, and maybe more than one at a time.

Dr. Nikki Turaray, MD, general physician, explains the common cause of singaw.

“Immune dysregulation involving the oral mucosa can lead to an exaggerated inflammatory process and/or a relatively weak anti-inflammatory response, and this is the signal that we know,” she begins.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies have also been implicated as a cause of singaw, particularly deficiency of vitamin B12.

“Many patients with recurrent oral sores have an excessive injury after minor trauma, so that any trauma to the lining of the mouth may result in the development of an ulcer in that location.” Dr. Turaray adds.

Emotional stress will frequently lead to an exacerbation of any disease. In other words, it could make it worse. Certain drugs have been documented to induce oral ulcers similar to aphthous ulcers, stresses Dr. Turaray. The ulcers typically resolve when the drug is discontinued.

Other oral ulcers may be associated with an underlying disease such as Celiac Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Behcet’s Disease.

Cause of singaw: Possible causes of mouth ulcers

1. Injury or Trauma:
   • Biting the inside of the cheek or tongue, sharp edges of teeth, poorly fitting dentures, or accidental injury from dental procedures can cause mouth ulcers.
2. Nutritional Deficiencies:
   • Deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, iron, folic acid, and zinc, can contribute to the development of mouth ulcers.
3. Stress and Hormonal Changes:
   • Emotional stress and hormonal fluctuations, particularly in women, can trigger the onset of mouth ulcers.
4. Food Sensitivities and Allergies:
   • Certain foods, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, coffee, strawberries, and nuts, can trigger or worsen mouth ulcers in some individuals.
5. Medical Conditions:
   • Underlying health conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, Behçet’s disease, and autoimmune disorders are associated with recurrent mouth ulcers.
   • Viral infections, such as herpes simplex virus, can also cause mouth ulcers.
6. Medications:
   • Some medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta-blockers, and chemotherapy drugs, can be the cause of singaw as a side effect.

How to treat singaw?

Singaw is treated mainly to provide relief from pain, hasten the healing of ulcers, and decrease the frequency and severity of episodes or recurrences. Dr. Turaray advises patients to focus more on general oral hygiene to beat the pesky singaw.

”Good dental hygiene is key, while at the same time avoiding trauma. Always use a soft toothbrush and waxed tape-style dental floss,” Dr. Turaray recommends. Avoid exacerbating factors, too, such as sharp/rough dental restorations, and braces.

The habit of biting your cheeks or lips, and food that seems to exacerbate the process should also be off your list. The most common known cause of singaw is an injury to the mouth tissue inside of your cheek because of accidentally biting.

Pain control with the use of topical anesthetics and coating agents can provide temporary relief of discomfort. However, there are also natural home remedies for mouth ulcers that you can use.

• Natural herbs and oils.

Peppermint and eucalyptus oils have anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains astringent that helps close tissue around the wound and cooling properties that have a soothing effect.

You can mix olive or grapeseed oil, peppermint essential oil, and eucalyptus essential oil, and apply this on the singaw for fast relief. Chamomile and sage have antiseptic properties that help purge swelling, as well.

It can be prepared like you would an ordinary tea, or it can be used as a mouth gargle. Sodium bicarbonate or baking soda contains antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties that can kill bacteria causing mouth ulcers.

Make a paste with water and baking soda, apply, and leave on your singaw for 10 minutes before rinsing.

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  Common kitchen supplies.

You can check your pantry for coconut oil, honey, cayenne pepper, and yogurt to treat your singaw, as these have natural antibacterial, antibiotic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

It works best for younger kids because these are tasty and not a bother at all. Yogurt is the best relief for children’s mouth ulcers, as they are tasty and nutritious, too.

It has bacteria that balance the bacteria in your mouth, and treat singaw. Mix it with honey, too, and you have double the relief.

• Salt Water

This is the most common treatment known to Filipinos: gargling warm water with salt. Others actually let rock salt stay in their mouth, concentrating on the area where the singaw is, as this is more effective.

Swelling is caused by fluids accumulating in an infected wound or mouth sore, and salt helps squeeze out these fluids. It also has an antibiotic property that fights infection. Try any of these remedies and see for yourself what works for you.

When to see a doctor?

Dr. Turaray advises patients to see a doctor if the following occurs:

• Enlarging mouth sore
• Recurring sores, with new ones developing before old ones heal, or frequent outbreaks
• High fever along with canker sores
• Persistent sores, lasting two weeks or more
• Difficulty eating or drinking
• Pain uncontrollable with self-care measures

Please take note that if your singaw doesn’t go away within a week please go see your doctor for proper treatment.

Additional information from Marhiel Garrote and Jobelle Macayan

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