Mouth ulcer

Mouth ulcer | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Mouth Mouth ulcer Mouth ulcer Mouth ulcers are painful sores that appear in the mouth. Theyre uncomfortable but theyre usually harmless. Most clear up by themselves within 1 to 2 weeks. Mouth ulcers are common and can usually be managed at home, without seeing your dentist or GP. What does a mouth ulcer look like? Mouth ulcers are usually round or oval sores that commonly appear inside the mouth on the: cheeks lips tongue They can be white, red, yellow or grey in colour and swollen. You may have more than one mouth ulcer at a time and they may spread or grow. Mouth ulcers shouldnt be confused with cold sores , which are small blisters that develop on the lips or around the mouth. Cold sores often begin with a tingling, itching or burning sensation around your mouth. When to get help Speak to a pharmacist if: you have a mouth ulcer They can give you advice and treatment. If you have a dental problem you should always phone your dentist first. If youre not registered with any dental practice then you should read our advice on dental emergencies . Your pharmacist may advise that you see your GP or dentist if: your mouth ulcer has lasted 3 weeks you keep getting mouth ulcers the mouth ulcer grows bigger than usual or is near the back of your throat your mouth ulcer becomes more painful or red  this could be a sign of a bacterial infection, which may need treatment with antibiotics Mouth ulcers are also a possible symptom of hand, foot and mouth disease . Speak to your GP or phone 111 if youre unsure. How to treat mouth ulcers Most mouth ulcers clear up by themselves within 1 to 2 weeks without treatment. However, treatment can help to reduce swelling and ease any discomfort. This may help if you keep getting mouth ulcers or your mouth ulcer affects eating and drinking. Self care There are things you can do to speed up healing. Do use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth drink cool drinks through a straw eat softer foods get regular dental check-ups eat a healthy, balanced diet try to reduce stress and anxiety Dont 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 Pharmacy medicines You can get several types of mouth ulcer treatment from a pharmacy. Speak to your pharmacist about the best treatment for you. 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: steroid mouth spray or steroid tablets that dissolve in your mouth painkilling gels, ointments, sprays or tablets mouthwashes to kill or remove any germs in your mouth What causes mouth ulcers? In many cases, the reason for mouth ulcers is unclear. Most single mouth ulcers are caused by damage to the lining inside of the mouth. For example: accidentally biting the inside of your cheek or a sharp tooth poorly fitting dentures hard food a faulty filling Its not always clear what causes mouth ulcers that keep returning, but triggers are thought to include: stress and anxiety hormonal changes  some women develop mouth ulcers during their monthly period eating certain foods  such as chocolate, spicy foods, coffee, peanuts, almonds, strawberries, cheese, tomatoes and wheat flour toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate stopping smoking  when you first stop smoking, you may develop mouth ulcers Your genes are also thought to have a role. Around 40% of people who keep getting mouth ulcers report that it runs in their family. Medical conditions Mouth ulcers can sometimes be caused by certain medical conditions, such as: viral infections  including the cold sore virus , chickenpox , and hand, foot and mouth disease vitamin B12 or iron deficiency crohns disease  a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system coeliac disease  a common digestive condition where a person has an adverse reaction to gluten reactive arthritis  a condition that causes inflammation in various places in the body, usually as a reaction to an infection weakened immune system  for example, due to HIV or lupus behets disease  a rare and poorly understood condition that also causes swelling of the blood vessels Medications and treatments Mouth ulcers can sometimes be caused by certain medications or treatments, such as: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)  such as ibuprofen nicorandil  a medication sometimes used to treat angina beta-blockers  used to treat conditions such as angina, high blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms a side effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy  this is known as mucositis Is it mouth cancer? In a few cases, a long-lasting mouth ulcer can be a sign of mouth cancer . If mouth cancer is detected early, the chances of a complete recovery are good. Regular dental check-ups are the best way to detect the early signs. Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 20 October 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me Search for a pharmacy near you Enter a place or postcode NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852