RECURRENT APHTHOUS STOMATITIS: CLINICAL FEATURES, EVALUATION AND HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Author

Dr. Manikanta S Bevinakatti


Abstract

 Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), commonly known as recurrent mouth ulcers or canker sores, is one of the most frequent ulcerative disorders of the oral mucosa. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of painful, well-circumscribed ulcers, usually affecting non-keratinized oral mucosa. Although the exact pathogenesis remains uncertain, immune-mediated mechanisms, genetic predisposition, local trauma, psychological stress, and nutritional deficiencies have been implicated.

The diagnosis is primarily clinical and requires careful exclusion of infectious, traumatic, nutritional, autoimmune, gastrointestinal, and hematological disorders. Conventional management is mainly directed toward reducing pain, shortening the duration of lesions, and decreasing recurrence, with topical corticosteroids being a major evidence-based treatment.

Homeopathy is sometimes used in clinical practice with the aim of individualizing treatment according to the patient's constitutional characteristics, ulcer morphology, modalities, associated symptoms, and recurrent pattern. However, robust clinical evidence demonstrating that homeopathic medicines are superior to placebo or established treatments for recurrent aphthous stomatitis is currently lacking. Therefore, homeopathic management should be considered complementary and should not delay appropriate investigation or evidence-based treatment.



Keywords

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis; recurrent oral ulcer; aphthous ulcer; stomatitis; homeopathy; individualized treatment; oral medicine.



Full Text:

Download Paper PDF


References


1. Hennessy BJ, Murchison DF. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis. MSD Manual Professional Edition. Updated 2026.
2. American Academy of Oral Medicine. Canker Sores – Treatment. 2026.
3. American Academy of Oral Medicine. Canker Sores. 2026.
4. MSD Manual Professional Edition. Stomatitis. Updated 2026.
5. Akintoye SO, Greenberg MS. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Dental Clinics of North America. 2014;58(2):281–297.
6. Scully C. Aphthous ulceration. New England Journal of Medicine. 2006;355(2):165–173.

Share your valuable work from Social Media Buttons