Mouth ulcers

[OngPatient]

Does anybody else get recurring mouth ulcers? Is there anything we can do to prevent them or lessen their severity?

[PattyFootpast]

Yes! I do especially if I eat fresh fruit like apples, pineapples (even tinned!) , some wines will cause them! it’s horrible and almost instant

[OngPatient in reply to PattyFootpast]

Thanks for the reply, it had not occurred to me that food may be a trigger!

[Ciderbabe]

Yes. I find gargling with salt water or a mild mouthwash helps.

[LucyJean]

Yep, I often have a sore mouth. Ulcers are always worse when you are run down, or having a flare. They can be a symptom of inflammation of the soft tissue in your mouth. Other times they are caused by damage to the mouth lining like eating something sharp or abrasive or very acidic (nuts, fruit). Often people with connective tissue disease have problems with the soft tissues in the mouth.

There are a lot of products on the market to help. You can ask your GP to prescribe anti-inflammatory mouth washes like Diflam, and also mouthwashes that keep the mouth clean. I don't think over the counter things like Bonjela do much good. Often the best thing is a salt water mouth wash, sterilising and healing.

Sometimes if you have a diet low in B vitamins, especially folic acid that might make a difference. Check you generally are getting a good balanced diet, or maybe consider a multivitamin/mineral.

If you are experiencing a lot, and are also not so well in yourself speak to your Consultant, Specialist Nurse or GP. You may need a general review and a blood check.

All my best

Lucy xxx

[OngPatient in reply to LucyJean]

Thanks very much for your reply, it is very useful.

[oldfidgetlegs in reply to OngPatient]

Hi there! I'm on the forum for Restless Leg Syndrome but have just popped in here to share my experience of mouth ulcers. I suffered very badly with them since a child and remember being kept off school because I was unable to eat or speak for days. This continued through adulthood and I tried everything - avoiding citrus fruits, taking supplements, applying ointments from the chemist. About 5 years ago (I am now 72!) I joined my partner in becoming vegetarian, initially because I got bored preparing two separate meals, and some months into this I realised that I hadn't had any mouth ulcers and this remains the case to this day. So far, 5 years free of mouth ulcers! I have no idea how this works, and it may not work for everyone, but just thought I would share. My GP wasn't the least bit interested by the way!

[Babette]

Yes - mine seem to be related to food. Some chocolate, crisps, and salted foods (nuts, etc) seem to be the worst. Thankfully not affected by wine yet. They only started a few years ago so I've no idea what triggered them in the first place; I've happily eaten crisps and chocolate for years!

My dentist referred me to the dental hospital. They prescribed soluble steroids to use as a mouthwash but they didn't really help. My dentist has prescribed Difflam mouthwash, which at least numbs them enough to eat and drink.

[OngPatient in reply to Babette]

Thanks, mine started last year, which was also when I first started seeing the specialist about other symptoms. They come back every so often, always at the same place behind my lower lip.

[Masla]

One I had last winter was all along the inside upper mouth area and it went to lower too. I had got a reline of my upper denture in early November and it seems some material was not to my mouth's liking. I did get used to it after the holiday times were over and into the first month of the year. Also I did use salty water mouth wash often. Thankfully I am retired so I stayed in my room mostly. Not fun. My learning from this is do not ever get anything done to your denture during times of celebrating of holidays.