Ulcers
What are mouth ulcers?
Ulcers are painful sores that occur in the mouth. They are usually harmless and tend to clear up on their own.
What does a mouth ulcer look like?
Mouth ulcers are typically round or oval in shape and can appear on the cheeks, tongue, or lips. They vary in color—white, yellow, red, or grey—and you may have multiple ulcers at one time.
What causes mouth ulcers?
Most single mouth ulcers are caused by damage to the lining of the mouth. Common causes include:
- Accidentally biting the inside of your cheek or a sharp tooth
- Poorly fitting dentures
- Eating hard food
- A defective filling
Triggers for recurrent mouth ulcers may include:
- Stress and anxiety
- Hormonal changes – for example, some women develop mouth ulcers during their menstrual cycle
- Eating certain foods – such as chocolate, spicy foods, coffee, peanuts, almonds, strawberries, cheese, tomatoes, and wheat flour
- Toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate
- Stopping smoking – ulcers can develop when you first quit smoking
Genetics may also play a role; around 40% of people with recurrent mouth ulcers report a family history.
How to treat mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers usually resolve on their own within one to two weeks. To ease discomfort and speed up healing, consider the following self-care tips:
- Apply a protective paste recommended by your pharmacist
- Use a soft toothbrush to gently brush your teeth
- Choose a toothpaste that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulphate to avoid irritation
- Avoid hard, spicy, salty, acidic, or hot foods and drinks until the ulcer heals
- Use a straw to drink cool beverages
- Avoid known triggers that may worsen your ulcers
If self-care isn’t effective, over-the-counter products are available at pharmacies. Options include:
- Antimicrobial mouthwash (note: contains chlorhexidine gluconate, which may stain teeth; not recommended for children under two)
- Pain-relieving formulations available as mouthwash, lozenges, gels, or sprays (children under 12 should avoid these)
- Corticosteroid lozenges to reduce pain and speed healing (best used as soon as the ulcer appears; not recommended for children under 12)
In rare cases, mouth ulcers that do not heal may signal mouth cancer, particularly if they appear on or under the tongue. Risk factors for mouth cancer include:
- Smoking or using tobacco products
- Heavy alcohol consumption (especially in smokers)
- Infection with human papilloma virus (HPV)
If mouth cancer is detected early, the chances of a full recovery are good. Please see your dentist if your mouth ulcer lasts for three weeks, if you get recurrent ulcers, or if an ulcer becomes more painful or red – this may indicate a bacterial infection that requires treatment with antibiotics.
What our patients say
I've been going to this dentist for almost a year now initially it was just to clean my teeth and do regular check ups and I was really happy with how kind everyone was and the quality of the treatments. After a while I wanted to do teeth whitening but didn't know anything about it or the process. I had a consultation with them …
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I've been going to this dentist for almost a year now initially it was just to clean my teeth and do regular check ups and I was really happy with how kind everyone was and the quality of the treatments. After a while I wanted to do teeth whitening but didn't know anything about it or the process. I had a consultation with them and they ran through the treatment, cost and everything I needed to know. After a few weeks of using the gels my teeth were considerably whiter and I was receiving compliments from my family and friends on my smile. After a while they suggested I consider veneers for two pegs on the top of my teeth, they also do a monthly instalment and after a few weeks considering it I decided to do it and was very happy with the results. It looks very natural and matches my teeth perfectly and made me a lot more confident with my smile and was getting compliments from a lot of people shortly after getting it done. Would definitely recommend coming here everyone is very welcoming, friendly and professional and I've never had any complaints with any of the treatments
I had been suffering with pain for a few weeks from my wisdom tooth. But unable to get into my usual dental surgery for over a month.
Found an appointment for same day. And due to being anxious about dentist I was worried about going.
When I arrived the staff greeted me and eased my nerves.
During the consultant the dentist and …Read full review
I had been suffering with pain for a few weeks from my wisdom tooth. But unable to get into my usual dental surgery for over a month.
Found an appointment for same day. And due to being anxious about dentist I was worried about going.
When I arrived the staff greeted me and eased my nerves.
During the consultant the dentist and staff made me felt at ease. Went through each step and then went through treatment options. Needed to have the tooth removed. The nurse and dentist were amazing. Comforted me and also allowed to have my mum in the room with me. They went through the procedure with my and then my after care afterwards. I would definitely recommend to anywho is nervous about going to the dentist like me.
I've had several treatments at The Dentist, Implants, Veneers, Emergency Centre, including wisdom tooth extraction, crowns, and fillings, and I couldn't be more pleased with the care I've received. The team is professional, caring, and ensures every visit is as comfortable as possible. The dentist took great care to make sure I …
Read full review
I've had several treatments at The Dentist, Implants, Veneers, Emergency Centre, including wisdom tooth extraction, crowns, and fillings, and I couldn't be more pleased with the care I've received. The team is professional, caring, and ensures every visit is as comfortable as possible. The dentist took great care to make sure I felt at ease during each procedure, and the results have always been excellent. Whether it's routine dental work or something more complex, I highly recommend trying this place. They truly go above and beyond to provide exceptional service
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