OTC PRODUCTS FOR ORAL LESIONS
Cranker sores are also known as recurrent aphthus ulcers or syndroms
These cranker sores are always appear within the mouth on or undrer the tongue,on the roof of the mouth and the inner portion of the chin.
They are white or grey lesions and shallow in appearence sorrounded by reddish inflammations .They make inconvenience to chew,to swallow and to talk.
They are usually self healing within a week if left unattended.
There are two types as Simple and Complex
Simple These may appear three or four times in a year and heal in a week.Usually occuring in the age of 10 to 20 years.
Complex These are less common and occur to people who previously had these ulcers.
A cranker sore differ from Cold sore as the later is due to microbial infection and contageous and always appear out side the mouth such as under the nose whereas cranker sores always appear inside the mouth and lips and it is not by infections.Cold sores are fluid filled and more painfull where as cranker sores are shallow lesions sorrounded by reddish iflammations
Causes The exact cause is not known but stress or mouth injury may precipitate these ulcers.Citrus fruits and acid vegetables may exagerate the condiions.Some times a sharp tooth,or an ill fited denture may also generate canker sores.Deficiency of vitamin -B may be cause for complex cranker sores
OTC-Treatments
Proectants such as Orabase,Denture adhesives,and Benzoin tincture are tried in which denture adhesives was disproved by FDA
Local anesthetics like benzocaine,and butacaine are the common products used in OTC pain releif.Other ingredients approved by FDA are,
1.Benzocaine as 5 to 20%
2.Benzyl alcohol as 0.05 to 0.1%
3.Hexylresorcinol as 0.05 to 0.1%
Examples of OTC local anesthetic products approved by FDA are,
1.Anbesol
2.Blistex
3.Orajel
4.Orajel Cover-Med
5.Benzodent
The products contain Phenol,Menthol,Camphor,and Clove oil are discouraged because of their irritating nature
Aspirin should not be used and retained in the mouth or placed on a lesion as a pain releiver
Amelexenox is now on a status of approval by FDA to releive painfull crank sores
Coldsores or Fever blisters These are from infective origins usually by Herpes Simplex and are very painful and always filled with fluids and mostly these cold sores appear out side the mouth,such as lips,and under the nose.Stress,fever,minor infections or sunlight may provoke the sores.
At the beginning it start with burning,itching and numbness,followed by the formation of red papules of fluid containg vesicles.These vesicles eventually rupture to form crusts.These cold sores will automatically heal in 10 to 14 days without forming scares
OTC medications For cold sores medications are available on OTC
1.Skin softening products such as emollient creams,vasaline cream,petrolatum cream.
Benzocaine a local anethetic contain Orabase can be used to releive the pain.
The American Dental Association discourages the use of highly rritant products such as caustic agents like phenol,silver nitrate,benzoyle peroxide,sulphur,and various anti-acne products and corticosteroids as these products may worsen the conditions.
2.If infection become severe antibiotics like Bacitracin and Neomycin containing creams can be applied
3.Sun protecive Lip-cream can also be applied
4.L-lysine can be taken orally with a daily dosage of 300-1200mg.to accelerate recovery and suppress the recurrence.
Prescription Products 1.Acyclovir 400 mg is taken by oral daily on prescription.Also a 5% cream of acyclovir can also be applied four times daily to minimise the severity.
3.A oral dosage of Famciclovir in the srenghth of 125 mg,250 mg,and 500 mg ,three times a day has also been studied.
