Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers are small, painful lesions that form in the mouth. Ulcers may affect the inside of your cheeks, your gumline, the edge of your tongue and more rarely, the roof of your mouth. Most people will have a mouth ulcer at some stage, however for some they can be a recurrant problem.

Mouth ulcers are not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person.




Mouth Ulcers Overview

Mouth ulcers usually go away by themselves in one to two weeks, however treatment can numb the pain, protect the ulcer from further damage or decrease the chances of a bacterial infection. Some medicines may speed up healing if used early enough.

What Causes Mouth Ulcers?

Most single mouth ulcers are caused by damage to the mouth. The cause of recurring mouth ulcers is often unkown. Some people tend to get mouth ulcers more often than others, especially if there is a family history. Mouth ulcers are more common in children and young adults.

Students and people who are under a lot of stress may also get them more often. Some women tend to get mouth ulcers before their periods or during pregnancy. Occasionally they can be the sign of a more serious condition.

Common Causes of Mouth Ulcers

Damage to the inside lining of your mouth by very hot or acidic food and drink
Biting you inner cheeks
Brushing your teeth and gums very hard.
Poorly fitted dentures.
A very dry mouth due to a medical condition or from some medications
Eating food to which you are allergic
Scraping of the mouth lining by sucking hard sweets.
Being stressed, or lacking certain vitamins and minerals in your body such as folic acid and B-group vitamins or iron.
Certain medications.
Signs and Symptoms of Mouth Ulcers

There are three main types of mouth ulcers; minor ulcers which are the most common and are typically 2-8mm in diameter, major ulcers which are larger, deeper and may take longer to heal, herpetiform ulcers which are multiple pin head size sores.

Most mouth ulcers are typically round or oval and usually less than 1cm in diameter. They are yellow, white or grey in colour on the inside and red and swollen around the edge. They can be very painful, especially when eating or drinking. Some people get a tingling or burning feeling, 1 to 2 days before the mouth ulcer appears. Small blisters or sores on the outside of your lips are usually cold sores.

Additional Picures
Mouth Ulcer Treatment

Mouth ulcers can heal within 7-14 days without treatment but medicine and treatment may provide relief.

Treatment can numb the pain, protect the ulcer from further damage or decrease the chances of a bacterial infection. Some medicines may speed up the healing if used early enough.

Paste Treatments

Form a protective layer over the ulcer, helping the medicine stick to the ulcer. This allows the ulcer to heal faster and can help relieve the pain.

Some pastes contain anti-inflammatory medicines that, if applied at the tingling stage, can prevent the mouth ulcer from developing further. You may need to dry your mouth first before applying the paste. Dab it on rather than rub it in.

Gel Treatments

Form a protective layer over the ulcer.

Some also contain treatments that numb the pain. Avoid using large amounts of gels, especially in children under 12 years of age.

Mouth Washes

Are useful for hard to reach ulcers and when there are many at one time.

Can help prevent bacteria causing an infection

Some can also numb the pain

Work best if you start to use them as soon as you feel the tingling sensation.

Liquid paint Treatments

Form a protective layer over the ulcer but need to be re-applied often.

Ask your pharmacist to help you choose the most suitable treatment for your mouth ulcer. Apply pastes and gels during the day. Also apply at bedtime to allow longer contact with the mouth ulcer.

Take a pain reliever like paracetomol if pain from the ulcer is severe. Check with your pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or before giving children medication for mouth ulcers.

See: Natural treatments for mouth ulcers
Neutralizing acid and numbing the pain

The niggling pain of a mouth ulcer is caused by acids and digestive enzymes eating into tissue in the sore. Chewing an antacid will help to neutralize the acid and numb the pain. You can also place an antacid tablet directly against the mouth ulcer. Remember not to exceed the daily dose.

A damp tea bag is alkaline and will also neutralize acid if placed against the mouth ulcer for around 5 minutes.

Battling Bacteria

Hydrogen peroxide: Mix a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide into half a glass of water. Add 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate soda and 1 teaspoon of salt and stir until they dissolve. Swish the solution around your mouth and spit out. Hydrgen perxode is a strong disinfectant – usefull because mouth ulcers are prone to infection which will make the pain worse. Bicarbonate soda is alkaline and will give further relief by neutralizing acids.

Goldenseal: To speed up healing apply a liquid form of the herb goldenseal to the sore three times a day, at least an hour before eating. Goldenseal has mild antibacterial properties.

Tea Tree Oil: Place a single drop of tea tree oil directly onto the mouth ulcer.

Calendula: Make a tea from calendula. Better known as garden marigold it has been used for centuries for treating minor cuts, cracked skin and insect bites. Pour a cup of boiling water over about 2 teaspoons of dried petals, strain and leave to cool until lukewarm. Gargle and swish around your mouth as often as you like.

Self Care of Mouth Ulcers

There are many things you can do to keep more comfortabe while affected by mouth ulcers.

Suck on ice to help reduce the pain of mouth ulcers.

Avoid spicy or acidic food and drink when you have a mouth ulcer.

Avoid very hot food or drink

Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush straight after eating. If you cant brush, rinse your mouth with warm water or chlorexidine bought from your pharmacy.

If dentures cause your mouth ulcers, have their fitting re-checked.

Take Vitamin B and C supplements if you are run down, especially for students and women who get mouth ulcers often.

Learn some relaxing tips to help with stress.

Drink lots of water to avoid a dry mouth.

Eat a healthy well balanced diet of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially green vegetables.

Extra measures

Lysine: Many experts believe that lysine, an amino acid, may be needed to remedy a deficiency associated with mouth ulcers. Take 1000mg of lysine three times a day on an empty stomach.

Echinacea: Echinacea is a herb believed to boost the immune system. Take 200 mg two to three times a day as soon as you first notice the ulcer. Do not take Echinacea if you have an autoimmune disease such as lupus or a progressive disease such as multiple sclerosis or tuberculosis.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C with flavanoids will help to heal the mouths mucous membranes. Citrus fruits supply dietary vitamin C but these can trigger mouth ulcers in some people. Instead try taking 20mg each of Vitamin C and flavanoids (which enhance the effects of vitamin C) three times a day.

Important

See your doctor if you have mouth ulcers that:

Are larger than 1 cm or you have lots of small ulcers join together to form a large ulcer.

Do not heal within 3-4 weeks even with treatment.

Bleed allot

Occur often in a very short space of time, e.g. every 1 -2 weeks.

Come with a sore throat, or rash on any part of your body

Are not painful at all

Occur with diarrhoea as well