ABSTRACT

ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS Traumatic causes of oral ulceration may be physical or chemical. Physical damage to the oral mucosa may be caused by sharp surfaces within the mouth such as components of dentures, orthodontic appliances, dental restorations, or prominent tooth cusps. In addition, some patients suffer ulceration as a result of the irritation of cheek chewing. Oral ulceration caused during seizures is well recognized in poorly controlled epileptics. Chemical irritation of the oral mucosa may produce ulceration; a common cause is placement of aspirin tablets or caustic toothache remedies on the mucosa adjacent to painful teeth or under dentures. Situations also occasionally arise where a patient with psychological problems may deliberately cause ulceration in their mouth (factitial ulcers, stomatitis artefacta).