Mouth ulcer
Mouth ulcer
Overview
Mouth ulcers are painful sores that appear in the mouth. They’re uncomfortable but they’re usually harmless. Most clear up by themselves within 1 to 2 weeks.
Mouth ulcers are common and can usually be managed at home, without seeing your dentist or GP.
What does a mouth ulcer look like?
Mouth ulcers are usually round or oval sores that commonly appear inside the mouth on the:
- cheeks
- lips
- tongue
They can be white, red, yellow or grey in colour and swollen.
You may have more than one mouth ulcer at a time and they may spread or grow.
Mouth ulcers shouldn’t be confused with cold sores, which are small blisters that develop on the lips or around the mouth. Cold sores often begin with a tingling, itching or burning sensation around your mouth.
Common Symptoms
Symptom information is not available for this condition yet.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Speak to a pharmacist if you have a mouth ulcer. They can give you advice and treatment.
If you have a dental problem, always phone your dentist first. If you're not registered with a dental practice, read our advice on dental emergencies.
Your pharmacist may advise you to see your GP or dentist if:
- your mouth ulcer has lasted 3 weeks
- you keep getting mouth ulcers
- the ulcer grows bigger than usual or is near the back of your throat
- it becomes more painful or red, which could be a sign of a bacterial infection needing antibiotics
Mouth ulcers can also be a symptom of hand, foot and mouth disease. Speak to your GP or phone 111 if you're unsure.
Causes
What causes mouth ulcers?
In many cases, it isn't clear why a mouth ulcer forms. Most single mouth ulcers happen because of some kind of damage to the inside lining of the mouth. For example:
- accidentally biting the inside of your cheek, or catching it on a sharp tooth
- dentures that don't fit well
- hard food
- a filling that isn't quite right
For ulcers that keep coming back, the exact cause is often unclear too, but certain things seem to trigger them:
- stress and anxiety
- hormonal changes, such as some women developing mouth ulcers during their monthly period
- eating certain foods, such as chocolate, spicy foods, coffee, peanuts, almonds, strawberries, cheese, tomatoes and wheat flour
- toothpaste that contains sodium lauryl sulphate
- giving up smoking, since mouth ulcers can appear when you first stop
Genes are also thought to play a part. About 40% of people who get repeated mouth ulcers say it runs in their family.
Medical conditions
Sometimes mouth ulcers are linked to certain medical conditions, such as:
- viral infections, including the cold sore virus, chickenpox, and hand, foot and mouth disease
- a lack of vitamin B12 or iron
- Crohn's disease, a long-term condition that causes inflammation in the lining of the digestive system
- coeliac disease, a common digestive condition in which a person reacts badly to gluten
- reactive arthritis, a condition that causes inflammation in different parts of the body, usually as a reaction to an infection
- a weakened immune system, for example due to HIV or lupus
- Behçet's disease, a rare condition that isn't fully understood, which also causes swelling of the blood vessels
Treatment
Most mouth ulcers heal on their own within 1 to 2 weeks without any treatment. Even so, treatment can ease swelling and reduce discomfort, which is especially useful if you keep getting mouth ulcers or if the ulcer is making it hard to eat or drink.
Caring for yourself at home
Simple daily habits can help an ulcer heal faster.
Things that help
- Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush
- Drink cool drinks through a straw
- Choose softer foods that are easy to chew
- Visit a dentist for regular check ups
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Try to keep stress and anxiety under control
Things to avoid
- Avoid very spicy, salty or acidic food
- Avoid rough, crunchy food such as toast or crisps
- Avoid very hot or acidic drinks such as fruit juice
- Avoid chewing gum
- Avoid toothpaste that contains sodium lauryl sulphate
Medicine from a pharmacy
Pharmacies stock several types of mouth ulcer treatment. It is worth asking the pharmacist which one suits your situation best.
Treatment from a dentist or doctor
If an ulcer is severe, keeps coming back or becomes infected, a doctor or dentist may prescribe something stronger. This can include a steroid mouth spray or steroid tablets that dissolve in the mouth, painkilling gels, ointments, sprays or tablets, or a mouthwash to clear germs from the mouth.
When medicines or treatments are the cause
Sometimes mouth ulcers appear because of a medicine or treatment someone is already taking. This includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, nicorandil, which is used for angina, and beta blockers, which treat angina, high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can also cause mouth ulcers as a side effect, a condition known as mucositis.
Could it be mouth cancer
In rare cases, an ulcer that will not heal can be an early sign of mouth cancer. When it is caught early, the outlook for a full recovery is good, so regular dental check ups matter, since they are the best way to spot early warning signs.