Mouth sores: Everything you need to know. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Share on Pinterest People can avoid getting mouth sores by chewing carefully, practicing good dental hygiene, and avoiding smoking. When to see a doctor. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help?
Related Coverage. What causes a bump on the roof of the mouth? Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Why is the roof of my mouth swollen? Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. Nine ways to treat canker sores. Skip to main content. Mouth and teeth. Home Mouth and teeth. Mouth ulcers. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. What are mouth ulcers? Aphthous ulcers Mouth ulcers that won't heal Symptoms of mouth ulcers Causes of mouth ulcers When to seek treatment for mouth ulcers Treatment for mouth ulcers Prevention of mouth ulcers Where to get help.
Aphthous ulcers Aphthous ulcers are recurring ulcers which affect around 20 per cent of the population. Symptoms of mouth ulcers The symptoms of a mouth ulcer depend on the cause, but may include: One or more painful sores on part of the skin lining the mouth.
Swollen skin around the sores. Problems with chewing or tooth brushing because of the tenderness. Irritation of the sores by salty, spicy or sour foods. Loss of appetite. Causes of mouth ulcers Mouth ulcers can be caused by a wide range of factors including: Accidentally biting the inside of your cheek.
Injury from a toothbrush such as slipping while brushing. Constant rubbing against dentures or braces. Burns from eating hot food. Minor mouth sores often go away naturally within 10 to 14 days, but they can last up to six weeks.
Some simple home remedies might help reduce the pain and possibly speed up the healing process. You may want to:. If you see your healthcare provider for your mouth sores, they may prescribe a pain medication, anti-inflammatory drug, or steroid gel.
If your mouth sores are a result of a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, your healthcare provider might provide a medication to treat the infection. In cases of mouth cancer, a biopsy will be taken first. Afterward, you may need surgery or chemotherapy. There is no absolute way to prevent all mouth sores. However, you can take certain steps to avoid getting them. You should try to:. If you have herpes simplex, the sores may reappear.
In some cases, severe cold sores can leave scarring. Outbreaks are more common if you:. In cases of cancer, your long-term side effects and outlook depend on the type, severity, and treatment of your cancer. Symptoms include a small white or yellow oval-shaped ulcer, and a painful or tingling area in the mouth.
Ulcers may…. The reasons for it might be anything from…. Gingivostomatitis is a common infection of the mouth and gums. It may be the result of a viral or bacterial infection and is common in children. The roof of your mouth may become swollen if you burn it, have a canker sore, or are dehydrated. It could also signal something more serious. They include. People who have warning signs should see a doctor right away. All people with a sore that lasts for 10 days or more must be examined by a dentist or doctor to ensure that the sore is not cancerous or precancerous.
Doctors first ask questions about the person's symptoms and medical history. Doctors ask people about their consumption of or exposure to food, drugs, and other substances such as tobacco, chemicals, toothpaste, mouthwashes, metals, fumes, or dust.
Doctors need to know about all currently known conditions that might cause mouth sores such as herpes simplex Herpes Simplex Virus HSV Infections Herpes simplex virus infection causes recurring episodes of small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on the skin, mouth, lips cold sores , eyes, or genitals. Doctors then do a physical examination. The mouth is inspected, noting the location and nature of any sores. Doctors then do a general examination to look for signs of systemic disorders that could affect the mouth.
The skin, eyes, and genitals are examined for any sores, blisters, or rashes. What doctors find during the history and physical examination often suggests a cause of the mouth sores and the tests that may need to be done. The need for tests depends on what doctors find during the history and physical examination, particularly whether warning signs are present. People with a brief episode of mouth sores and no symptoms or risk factors for a systemic illness probably require no testing.
In people with several episodes of mouth sores, viral and bacterial cultures and various blood tests are done. A biopsy may be done for persistent sores that do not have an obvious cause. Eliminating foods from the diet one at a time or changing brands of toothpaste, chewing gum, or mouthwash can be useful to determine whether a specific food or mouth care product is causing the sores. Doctors treat the cause, if known. For example, people are given antibiotics for bacterial infections.
Avoiding any substances or drugs that are causing the mouth sores is recommended. Frequent, gentle toothbrushing with a soft brush and salt-water rinses may help keep sores from becoming infected. Pain can be helped by avoiding acidic or highly salty foods and any other substances that are irritating. Topical treatments are substances applied directly to an affected part of the body.
Topical treatments for mouth sores include. An anesthetic such as dyclonine or lidocaine may be used as a mouth rinse. However, because these mouth rinses numb the mouth and throat and thus may make swallowing difficult, children using them should be watched to ensure that they do not choke on their food.
Lidocaine in a thicker preparation viscous lidocaine can also be swabbed directly on the mouth sore. Protective coatings containing sucralfate and aluminum-magnesium antacids can be soothing when applied as a rinse.
Amlexanox paste is another alternative. Mouth rinses that contain alcohol ethanol should be avoided, because they may actually make the mouth sores worse. Once doctors are sure that the sore is not caused by an infection, they may prescribe a corticosteroid rinse or a corticosteroid gel to be applied to each sore. Some mouth sores can be treated with a low-powered laser, which relieves pain immediately and often prevents sores from returning. Chemically burning the sore with a small stick coated with silver nitrate may similarly relieve pain but is not as effective as a laser.
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