Mouth ulcers are painful sores that appear on any of the structures of the mouth, including the gums, tongue, and inner lips. These are common and have various causes and triggers.
Mouth ulcers are blister-like lesions in the mouth. They are usually small, though can sometimes grow to over 1 cm in diameter. There can be just one or several. They may have clear, yellow coloured or whitish fluid in them. If a mouth ulcer becomes infected, it may have pus in it. The sores are uncomfortable and can make eating and drinking painful.
Many mouth ulcers do not have a definite cause, but research has found triggers can include:
Less commonly, mouth ulcers are a sign of another medical condition which requires treatment, such as:
Many mouth ulcers are easily diagnosed via visual examination. In some cases, the doctor or dentist may take a swab to confirm if there is a bacteria or virus causing the ulcer.
If a mouth ulcer does not heal after three weeks, the doctor or dentist may request other tests, such as a biopsy or blood tests.
Complications from mouth ulcers are rare. Sometimes, they can become infected and require antibiotic treatment. If the ulcer is a sign of another medical condition, complications can include those of the other condition as well.
Most mouth ulcers heal on their own without help from a doctor or dentist.
Some at home remedies include:
If home remedies do not help, a pharmacist can help find the best over-the-counter medications to reduce symptoms while the ulcer heals. Some options include:
If the ulcer does not heal after three weeks, it is time to see the doctor or dentist. The doctor or dentist may prescribe medicine, such as oral steroid tablets to reduce inflammation and allow the area to heal, or an antibiotic if infection is suspected.
The following activities may help prevent mouth ulcers:
Unfortunately, even with the above prevention methods, it is not always possible to prevent mouth ulcers.