What Are Mouth Ulcers?
Mouth ulcers are common and should clear up on their own within a week or 2. However, see a GP or dentist if you have a mouth ulcer that lasts longer than 3 weeks. MyHealthcare Clinic has dentists and GPs in Fulham, Wandsworth, and Wimpole Street, Central London. Same-day appointments available. Call 0207 099 5555 now to book a private dental or GP appointment.
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
Do
· Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
· Drink cool drinks through a straw
· Eat softer foods
· Get regular dental check-ups
· Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Don’t
· 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 chewing gum
· Do not use toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate
A pharmacist can help with mouth ulcers
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, but they may not always work.
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, and they can change in size.
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.
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 B12 or iron deficiency
· 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