From the Research
Treatment for aphthous ulcers in children should focus on pain relief and promoting healing, with the most recent and highest quality study 1 suggesting a rational approach to management. The treatment approach includes:
- Home remedies like salt water rinses or baking soda rinses several times daily
- Over-the-counter options such as topical benzocaine gels applied directly to ulcers up to 4 times daily, though use should be limited in children under 2 years
- Avoiding SLS-containing toothpastes as they may worsen ulcers
- Pain management with children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen at age-appropriate doses
- A soft, bland diet avoiding spicy, acidic, or rough foods to prevent irritation Some key points to consider:
- The role of the general dental practitioner is to identify patients who can be treated with simple measures in primary dental care and those who require assessment and treatment in secondary care 1
- Management may include topical agents for symptomatic relief, topical corticosteroids, and in severe recalcitrant cases, systemic agents may be necessary 1
- Effective treatment relieves pain, lessens functional impairment, and lowers the frequency and severity of recurrences 2 It is essential to note that:
- Aphthous ulcers can be a sign of systemic diseases, so it is crucial to establish a correct diagnosis to determine suitable therapy 3
- Before initiating medications for aphthous lesions, clinicians should determine whether well-recognized causes are contributing to the disease and these factors should be corrected 3
- If ulcers are large (>1 cm), extremely painful, last longer than 2 weeks, or occur frequently, medical evaluation is recommended as this may indicate an underlying condition requiring different treatment.