Aphthous Stomatitis: Facts, Stats and New Research for Dental Professionals

The Latest Research and Science Around Aphthous Stomatitis

Wondering what’s new in the scientific and medical communities regarding aphthous stomatitis? Here are some links to additional reading materials so you can catch up on the latest:

The oral microbiota of patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis [1]

A few years ago Sahlgrenska Academy and the University of Gothenburg conducted research around recurrent aphthous stomatitis, or RAS, in search of new insight. The study found that the composition of the oral microbiome was different for patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis, compared to healthy controls. These results were confirmed in another study, published in the Journal of Dental Research a while later. However, it remains unclear whether these microbial differences cause aphthous stomatitis, or if the latter triggers a shift in the oral microbiome.

Genome wide analysis for mouth ulcers identifies associations at immune regulatory loci [2]

Researchers from the UK, Australia and USA tried to find specific genetic loci that could explain the fact that aphthous stomatitis have a clear heritable component. In their study, published in Nature Communications, several loci were identified. Interestingly, many of those were located in (or close to) genes that are involved in T cell immunity. This provides further support for the commonly accepted theory that the immune system plays an important role in the etiology of aphthous stomatitis.

Epithelial Cell Apoptosis in Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers [3]

Comparing healthy epithelium to that affected by recurrent aphthous ulcer, this study from the Journal of Dental Research points to a cellular apoptosis sequence that may lead to the formation of the typical peripheral inflammatory halo that surrounds aphthous ulcers..

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis treatment (RAS; aphthae; canker sores) with a barrier forming mouth rinse or topical gel formulation containing hyaluronic acid: a retrospective clinical study [4]

A study published in BMC Oral Health in 2019 investigated the treatment effect of one of our own mouthrinses (