Symptom 9: Mouth Sores
While Crohn’s predominantly affects the gut, its presence can be felt quite vividly in the mouth as well. For many sufferers, the onset of painful mouth ulcers or sores is an indicator that a flare-up is on the horizon, or that their current treatment might need some tweaking.
Mouth sores associated with Crohn’s are often recurrent and can range from minor irritations to painful, deep ulcers. They typically appear on the inner cheeks, lips, gums, and the back of the mouth. While they resemble common canker sores, their persistence is usually what sets them apart.
These oral ulcers are a result of the same inflammatory immune response that wreaks havoc in the intestines. When the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the mouth, it results in these painful lesions. There’s also the issue of malabsorption: the inability to absorb essential nutrients from food can lead to vitamin deficiencies, further triggering or worsening mouth sores.
Topical treatments can offer immediate relief. Corticosteroid mouth rinses or gels can reduce inflammation, and over-the-counter pain relief gels can numb the area temporarily. But, like all symptoms of Crohn’s, treating the underlying disease is the most effective way to combat recurrent mouth sores. (9)
