• While there is no cure for recurrent aphthous ulcers, there are various treatments and remedies that can be useful in limiting their duration and decreasing the patient’s pain and discomfort. Treatments include analgesia, over-the-counter (OTC) products, and prescription medications that have been specially formulated for the treatment of aphthous ulcers (5).

• Surgical removal, debridement, or laser ablation of ulcers is not practical, is costly, and requires specialised training to operate.

•  A biopsy should be conducted on ulcers persisting for more than 3 weeks (6).

Primary Goals (3,7)

1. Ensure adequate food intake by palliation of pain symptoms 
2. Reduce lesion duration and restore normal oral function
3. Minimise recurrence 

These goals can be achieved using topical antimicrobial mouthwashes and topical corticosteroids.

Secondary Goals (3,7)

1. Reduce the frequency and severity of recurrences
2. Maintenance of remission

TREATMENT

1. Determination and correction of nutritional deficiencies and allergies.
2. Determine the presence of underlying disease states
3. Complete hematologic work-up
4. Stress management
5. Oral hygiene
6. Record keeping to identify  triggers

1. Topical gels, creams, ointments and pastes

2. Anti-microbial Mouthwashes

3. Topical analgesic sprays or rinses 

4. Topical/ Local Anaesthetics and Analgesics

5. Cleansing products

6. Herbal Remedies

7. Topical Antibiotics

8. Anti-inflammatory medicines

9. Topical corticosteroids and Potent Corticosteroids

10. Betamethasone Aerosol Spray

11. Future Advances- immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory drugs