Recurrent aphthous ulcers, even all over my tongue?

Dear Ask The Doctor: Who would I need to see for recurrent aphtheal ulcerations in my mouth and on my tongue? Like right now I've got so many I can hardly talk, they hurt really, really bad and are actually like deep craters in my mouth (tongue, inside lips and cheek). I even have 3 around the outside of my mouth--look like fever blisters, which I have never, ever had in my life. I have extremely good oral care, brush regulary, have even been rinsing with peroxide to try and help. I take Lysine daily because I was told they would help. I haven't tramautized my mouth with a toothbrush slipping, burnt it or eaten spicy foods. They just...appear. I've always had them, since I was a small child, but right now there are so many, it's unbearable. I'm calling in sick to work tomorrow to try and find someone to treat these things. They are very debilitating. (I can't eat or talk clearly right now.) Should I look for an ENT, seek out dermatology, or call my dentist? Who would actually treat these? Or even a rheumatologist or immunologist??

Dear Cherie: In many cases the cause of recurrent aphthous ulcers is unknown. The condition can be treated by an ENT surgeon or a dermatologist. Treatment usually involves the use of corticosteroids after investigations have been carried out for possible causes such as vitamin deficiencies, repeated trauma or reaction to sodium lauryl sulphate which is found in a lot of products such as toothpaste.