Mouth Ulcer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
A mouth ulcer, or canker sore, is a painful lesion that forms on the mucous membrane inside the mouth. Various factors like stress, injury, or certain foods can cause them.
Treatment involves topical medications to relieve pain and promote healing. Maintaining good oral hygiene can help prevent them.
A mouth ulcer is a lesion that can form on the inner tissues of your mouth. These lesions typically present as red, yellow, or white spots, and you may have one or multiple sores.
Mouth ulcers can develop on:
- Gums
- Tongue
- Roof of the mouth (palate)
- Inner cheeks
- Inner lips
These ulcers are frequently painful and may cause discomfort while eating, drinking, and speaking.
Types of Mouth Ulcers
Here are the common types of mouth ulcers:
- Canker Sores (Aphthous Stomatitis): Small, round or oval sores that appear inside the mouth, often on the cheeks, gums, or tongue. They can be painful but are not contagious.
- Cold Sores (Herpes Simplex Virus): Blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus, typically on the lips or around the mouth. They can be contagious.
- Traumatic Ulcers: Caused by injury or irritation, such as from biting the inside of the cheek or a sharp tooth, braces, or dental work.
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: A viral infection that can cause ulcers in the mouth, usually affecting children, accompanied by rash on hands and feet.
- Leukoplakia: White patches that can sometimes turn into ulcers, often associated with smoking or other irritants.
- Oral Thrush (Candidiasis): Fungal infection caused by Candida yeast, leading to painful white patches or ulcers in the mouth.
Each type may vary in severity and mouth ulcer treatment methods.
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Get A Second OpinionMouth Ulcer Symptoms
Here are common symptoms of mouth ulcers:
- Pain or Tenderness: The ulcer can be painful, especially when eating, drinking, or talking.
- Red or White Sore: A small round or oval sore with a red border and a white or yellowish center.
- Swelling: The affected area around the ulcer may appear swollen.
- Burning or Tingling Sensation: You may feel a slight burning or tingling sensation before the ulcer appears.
- Difficulty Eating or Drinking: The ulcer may make it difficult to eat or drink, particularly hot, spicy, or acidic foods.
- Bleeding: The ulcer may bleed if it gets irritated, such as from brushing teeth or eating rough foods.
These symptoms are common in canker sores and other types of mouth ulcers.
Symptoms of Minor, Major Herpetiform Ulcers
Minor mouth ulcers
- They are usually small
- They are oval with a red border
- Heals without scarring in one to two weeks
Major mouth ulcers
Major mouth ulcers are less common and:
- They are larger and deeper than minor canker sores
- They are usually round with sharp edges but may have ragged edges when they are very large
- It can be extremely painful
- It can take up to six weeks to heal and can leave extensive scars
Herpetiform mouth ulcers
Herpetiform mouth ulcers are rare and usually develop later in life, but they are not caused by an infection with the herpes virus. These mouth ulcers:
- Are exactly sized
- They often occur in groups of 10 to 100 sores but can merge into one large ulcer.
- Have ragged edges
- Heals without scarring in one to two weeks
Mouth Ulcers Causes
Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, can be caused by several factors. Here are the common causes:
- Injury or Trauma:
- Biting the inside of the cheek or lip.
- Brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush.
- Accidental injury from dental appliances like braces or dentures.
- Stress:
- Physical or emotional stress can trigger the development of mouth ulcers.
- Hormonal Changes:
- Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause can lead to mouth ulcers.
- Nutritional Deficiencies:
- Lack of certain vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid, can contribute to mouth ulcers.
- Food Sensitivities:
- Acidic foods like citrus fruits, spicy foods, and chocolate can irritate the mouth and lead to ulcers.
- Allergies to certain foods can also cause ulcers.
- Infections:
- Viral infections, such as the herpes simplex virus, can cause painful mouth ulcers.
- Bacterial infections in the mouth can also contribute.
- Autoimmune Conditions:
- Conditions like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and lupus can cause recurring mouth ulcers as part of their symptoms.
- Medications:
- Certain medications, such as those for chemotherapy, pain relievers, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can cause mouth ulcers as a side effect.
- Genetics:
- A family history of mouth ulcers can increase the likelihood of developing them.
- Underlying Health Conditions:
- Conditions like HIV/AIDS, gastrointestinal diseases, and other chronic illnesses can contribute to the development of mouth ulcers.
Health conditions associated with mouth ulcers
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Viral Infections
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Hormonal Changes
- Stress and Emotional Factors
- Chronic Illnesses
- Medications
- Genetic Predisposition
- Other Conditions
Mouth Ulcer Diagnosis and Tests
- Physical Examination: The doctor will visually inspect the ulcer and surrounding tissue to determine its size, appearance, and location.
- Medical History: The doctor may ask about your symptoms, frequency of ulcers, and any triggers such as diet, stress, or medications.
- Blood Tests: Blood tests may be conducted to check for underlying conditions like nutritional deficiencies (e.g., vitamin B12 or iron) or autoimmune diseases.
- Biopsy: In rare cases, if the ulcer doesn't heal or there's concern about more serious conditions, a biopsy (small tissue sample) may be taken for examination.
- Other Tests: If necessary, the doctor might suggest tests to rule out conditions like gastrointestinal disorders, viral infections, or immune system diseases.
Treatment for Mouth Ulcer
Treatment for mouth cancer typically includes:
- Surgery: Removal of cancerous tissue.
- Radiation Therapy: Targets and destroys cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to kill or inhibit cancer cell growth.
- Targeted Therapy: Targets specific cancer cell mechanisms.
- Immunotherapy: Stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells.
- Palliative Care: Focuses on pain management and improving quality of life.
Mouth Ulcer Medicine
- Mouth ulcer gel: Topical gels like benzocaine offer pain relief and reduce inflammation.
- Prescription Medications: Stronger options such as corticosteroids and antibiotics for infection and inflammation control.
- Antiseptic Mouthwashes: Mouthwashes with chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide help reduce bacteria and prevent infections.
- Nutritional Supplements: Vitamins like B12, folate, and iron may be recommended for deficiencies contributing to mouth ulcers.
- Alternative Treatments: Coconut oil, aloe vera gel, mouth ulcer creams or honey may offer soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits.
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Book an AppointmentWhen to Visit a Doctor?
People who have mouth ulcers can often have a hard time knowing when to see a doctor. However, there are some situations in which a person should see a doctor as soon as possible. Some of these circumstances include:
- the appearance of a non-painful ulcer in one or more areas of the mouth
- unusual ulcers that appear in a new place in the mouth
- ulcers that are spreading
- ulcers that last more than 3 weeks
Others may want to seek medical care or treatment for their ulcers if:
- are particularly painful or large
- fever appears
- develop after starting a new medicine
- secondary bacterial infections
Home Remedies of Mouth Ulcers
- Rinse with salt water.
- Apply honey
- Use aloe vera
- Coconut oil pulling
- Avoid spicy and acidic foods
- Apply ice
- Over-the-counter pain relief
