Experiences with

Mouth ulcers

How you can treat mouth ulcers yourself

Mouth ulcers are rarely a sign of anything serious, but may be uncomfortable to live with.

They need time to heal and there's no quick fix.

Avoiding things that irritate your mouth ulcer should help:

• speed up the healing process
• reduce pain
• reduce the chance of it returning

• use a soft-bristled toothbrush

• drink cool drinks through a straw

• eat softer foods

• get regular dental check-ups

• eat a healthy, balanced diet

• do not eat very spicy, salty or acidic food

• do not eat rough, crunchy food, such as toast or crisps

• do not drink very hot or acidic drinks, such as fruit juice

• do not use toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate

A pharmacist can recommend a treatment to speed up healing, prevent infection or reduce pain, such as:

• antimicrobial mouthwash
• a painkilling tablet, mouthwash, gel or spray
• corticosteroid lozenges
• a salt (saline) mouthwash

You can buy these without a prescription.

• lasts longer than 3 weeks
• is different to other mouth ulcers you've had before, for example if it's bigger than usual or near the back of your throat
• bleeds or becomes more painful and red – this may be a sign of an infection

Although most mouth ulcers are harmless, a long-lasting mouth ulcer is sometimes a sign of mouth cancer. It's best to get it checked.

You should also see a GP if you have other symptoms such as:

• ulcers anywhere else on your body, such as your skin or genitals
• painful, red or swollen joints

Treatment from a dentist or GP

A GP or dentist may prescribe stronger medicine to treat severe, persistent or infected mouth ulcers.

Possible treatments include:

• steroids given as either a mouth spray, tablets that dissolve in your mouth or tablets that can be dissolved in water
• painkilling gels, ointments, sprays or tablets
• mouthwashes to kill or remove any germs in your mouth

Check if you have a mouth ulcer

Mouth ulcers usually appear inside the mouth on the cheeks or lips.

Ulcers can also appear on the tongue.

You may have more than 1 ulcer at a time.

Mouth ulcers are not contagious and should not be confused with cold sores.

Cold sores appear on the lips or around the mouth and often begin with a tingling, itching or burning sensation. They can also appear as a small group of pinhead-sized ulcers inside the mouth.

Causes of mouth ulcers

Most single mouth ulcers are caused by things you can try to avoid, such as:

• biting the inside of your cheek
• badly fitting dentures, braces, rough fillings or a sharp tooth
• cuts or burns while eating or drinking – for example, hard food or hot drinks
• a food intolerance or allergy
• damaging your gums with a toothbrush or irritating toothpaste
• feeling tired, stressed or anxious

Sometimes they're triggered by things you cannot always control, such as:

• hormonal changes – such as during pregnancy
• your genes – some families get mouth ulcers more often
• a vitamin deficiency, such as iron, zinc, folic acid, vitamin B or vitamin D
• medicines – including some NSAIDs, beta blockers or nicorandil
• stopping smoking – people may develop mouth ulcers when they first stop smoking

If you have several mouth ulcers, it can be a symptom of:

• hand, foot and mouth disease, which also causes a rash on the hands and feet
• oral lichen planus, which causes a white, lacy pattern inside the cheeks
• Crohn's disease and coeliac disease (conditions that affect the digestive system)
• a weakened immune system from having a condition like HIV or lupus

Mouth ulcers usually heal within 2 weeks. To help ease the pain and speed up the healing process, avoid spicy, salty and crunchy foods.

For severe, persistent or infected mouth ulcers, a GP or dentist may prescribe medicines such as a steroid spray, steroid tablets or painkilling gel.

Mouth ulcers usually appear inside the mouth, on the cheeks or lips. You may have more than 1 ulcer at a time.

Most single mouth ulcers are caused by things that are avoidable, such as biting the inside of your cheek, rough fillings or a sharp tooth.

Related links

Mouth ulcers

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