The sores generally resolve in 2 or 3 weeks with or without treatment. Treatment may reduce discomfort and speed healing. Gingivostomatitis may disguise other, more serious mouth ulcers . Call your health care provider if mouth sores are accompanied by fever or other signs of illness, or if mouth sores worsen or do not respond to treatment within three weeks. The infected gums swell, bleed easily, recede, and loosen from the teeth.
Tooth loss is caused more frequently by gum disease than tooth decay.