eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Diseases of the Oral Mucosa

Aphthous Stomatitis: Follow-up

Author: Jeffrey M Casiglia, DMD, DMSc, Lecturer, Harvard School of Dental Medicine; Private Practice, Salem, Massachusetts
Coauthor(s): Ginat W Mirowski, MD, DMD, Adjunct Associate Professor, Departments of Oral Pathology, Medicine, and Radiology, Indiana University School Medicine; Christy L Nebesio, MD, Dermatologist
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Feb 6, 2009

Follow-up

Deterrence/Prevention

An association between smoking and reducing the occurrence of recurrent aphthous ulcer has been reported. In one epidemiologic study, the incidence of recurrent aphthous ulcer was lower in all groups using any form of tobacco than in people not using tobacco.35,36

Tobacco may increase keratinization of the mucosa, which, in turn, may decrease the susceptibility to ulceration. Nicotine, a locally absorbed substance, may play a role in preventing aphthae. Research subjects lose the protective effect when they stop smoking and they may experience rebound ulceration. Despite this, these findings do not justify recommending the use of tobacco or nicotine to control this condition. Other, less harmful treatments are available.

Patient Education

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Teeth and Mouth Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Canker Sores.

 


More on Aphthous Stomatitis

Overview: Aphthous Stomatitis
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Aphthous Stomatitis
Treatment & Medication: Aphthous Stomatitis
Follow-up: Aphthous Stomatitis
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

recurrent aphthous ulcers, aphthous stomatitis, canker sores, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, RAS, recurrent aphthous ulcers, RAU, periadenitis mucosa necrotica recurrens, RAU minor, RAU major, herpetiform RAU, Sutton's disease

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Jeffrey M Casiglia, DMD, DMSc, Lecturer, Harvard School of Dental Medicine; Private Practice, Salem, Massachusetts
Jeffrey M Casiglia, DMD, DMSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Oral Medicine and American Dental Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Ginat W Mirowski, MD, DMD, Adjunct Associate Professor, Departments of Oral Pathology, Medicine, and Radiology, Indiana University School Medicine
Ginat W Mirowski, MD, DMD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Medical Women's Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christy L Nebesio, MD, Dermatologist
Christy L Nebesio, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

David P Fivenson, MD, Associate Director, St Joseph Mercy Hospital Dermatology Program, Ann Arbor, Michigan
David P Fivenson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Medical Dermatology Society, Michigan Dermatological Society, Michigan State Medical Society, Photomedicine Society, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Wound Healing Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Richard P Vinson, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA
Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Warren R Heymann, MD, Head, Division of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Warren R Heymann, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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