ULCERS
Ulcers are breaks in the skin of the mouth that become infected and painful.
Stress is a major cause of ulcers.
Trauma – be careful not to damage your mouth when you brush your teeth – this may lead to an ulcer developing.
Food allergy or acidic food - too much of – kiwi pineapple beetroot in vinegar. Anything acidic –too many may cause a sore mouth
Use SLS free toothpaste - Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is a cleaning agent in toothpaste and some people have a reaction to it.
Treatment: A soft diet is recommended without things with sharp edges like crisps. Warm hot salt water mouth washes to disinfect the area and relieve the pain. Other things can be bought from the chemist to cover and protect the ulcer.
Mouth cancer is on the rise. Anything that you notice has been in your mouth for more than 14 days duration should be checked out.

DRY MOUTH
Dry mouth means a lack of saliva. If you have a lack of saliva then bacteria and food are not diluted or washed away from your teeth. Saliva contains natural ingredients that help neutralise acid in your mouth so lessening the rate of tooth decay and protect your mouth from infection and attack. It moisturises the soft tissues (skin) of the mouth preventing it from becoming dry and painful. If you have reduced saliva production you will be lacking its beneficial effects.
DRY MOUTH SYMPTOMS & CAUSES OF DRY MOUTH
DOES YOUR MOUTH FEEL AS DRY AS COTTON WOOL?
Does your mouth feel dry and sticky when you first wake up in the morning? Do you feel the urge to drink lots of water? Dry mouth can make it hard for you to swallow, chew your food or speak clearly. With a dry mouth your teeth can decay very quickly, and sometimes there are no warning signs for this condition.
Untreated dry mouth can also contribute to bad breath, and sometimes others will notice the stale odour.
Dry mouth is a daily problem that makes you feel uncomfortable while you swallow, eat or speak.
It is a condition in which you do not produce enough saliva (spit) to keep your mouth feeling wet. Your physician or nurse does not always talk about dry mouth as a side effect when they give you a prescription for medicine, but dry mouth can be caused by the medicine you take.
Whatever you do, don't stop taking your medicine but mention dry mouth to your nurse as soon as you can. Dry mouth can also be a sign of diseases and other conditions like diabetes - so make sure you
•      Dry or sticky feeling in the mouth like your mouth is stuffed with cotton balls.
•      Burning feeling in mouth or tongue and sometimes tongue feels like shoe leather.
•      Difficulty or discomfort when chewing, swallowing or speaking.
•      Dry lips and throat or mouth sores.
QUESTIONS -
1.      Are you taking one or more prescription drugs on a daily basis?
2.      Does your mouth feel sticky and dry when you wake up in the morning?
3.      Do you have difficulty swallowing or speaking?
4.      Do you sip a lot of water to keep your mouth from feeling dry?
5.      Does your throat feel dry and does your mouth sometimes burn?
6.      Does your tongue burn or has it changed to a darker red colour?
7.      Does your tongue sometimes feel as dry as shoe leather?
8.      Do you sometimes get mouth or tongue sores that will not go away?
9.      Does the amount of saliva in your mouth seem to be too little?
10.      Do you sip liquids to aid in swallowing dry foods?
11.      Does your mouth feel dry after eating a meal?
If you responded "yes" to one or more questions, you have dry mouth problems and this effects your oral health.
DRY MOUTH COMFORT AND CARE TIPS:
•      Sip room-temperature water throughout the day and night and carry a water bottle with you at all times.
•      Avoid drinking lots of water at an extreme water temperature (very hot or very cold).
•      Only drink sugarless drinks and avoid carbonated beverages.
•      Avoid drinks with caffeine because caffeine can dry out the mouth. Drinking coffee, tea or a diet fizzy drinks occasionally is OK but don't overdo it.
•      While eating a meal, make sure you include a beverage like still water. Drink water before, during and after the meal.
•      Chew sugar free gum or suck on sugar free sweets to stimulate salivary flow.
•      If you smoke or drink alcohol. Both alcoholic beverages and smoking dry out the mouth and make you more susceptible to gum diseases and oral cancer.
•      Elect an alcohol-free over-the-counter FLUORIDE mouthwash if you are in the habit of using a mouthwash. (Mouth washes containing alcohol may cause mouth cancer). Read the label and make sure alcohol is not listed as an ingredient.
•      Use a toothpaste that does not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate as this may cause a sore mouth.
•      Try using a night-time humidifier to moisten room air. There are artificial saliva products available for severe problems.