Mouth Ulcers are small, painfull lesions that appear in the mouth. They can affect the inside of your cheeks, the edge of your tongue or underneath it and more rarely, the roof of your mouth.

Mouth Ulcers usually go away by themselves in one or two weeks, but can be a recurring problem in some people. 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 of used early enough.

What causes mouth ulcers?

Some people tend to get mouth ulcers more often than others, especially if there is a family history of mouth ulcers. Mouth ulcers are common in children and young adults.

Students and people who are under a lot of stress may get them more often. Some woman tend to get mouth ulcers before their periods or during prgnancy. 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.

• Poor 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

Mouth ulcers are round or oval and usually less than 1cm in diameter. They are yellow to 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 – 2 days before the mouth ulcer appears.

• Small blisters or sores on the outside of your lips are usually cold sores.

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 of 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.

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.

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

Comments (31)

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I have found an effective treatment for mouth ulcers
written by Henry Clayton, August 11, 2009

Bonjela ONCE is new and it works! I have a large ulcer on my tongue. I wanted to eat a roast dinner last night and so I saw this and tried it. I found that it takes away the pain and I can talk and eat normally. It is now 14 hours since the treament and I still have no pain.

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Help!
written by Saida, August 15, 2009

Please please please, i need help!
I've got such a bad mouth ulcer!
it sooHUGE and it seems to get bigger everyday.
Salt doesn't work for me
i don't know what to do im very worried
i'm supposed to be on holiday right now and i'm suffering through so much pain :@
So UNFAIR!!
please i'm begging anybody who knows some kind of trick or something to post something

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ULCER CURE - ALUM
written by danny , August 18, 2009

hey, if salt ain't working try a thing called alum you find it with the spices and stuff in asda and places like that, just dab it on with a cotton bud or kitchen towel ut may hurt at first but but it takes aways the pain quickly and heals it within about 3 days hope this helps

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once was enough!
written by loopy, August 19, 2009

i tried the bonjela once and will never do it again - i had trouble applying it due to the position of the ulcer making it very difficult to dry and i literally just got one drop on and felt really queezy - went to lay down and fell into a deep deep sleep for about 3 hours!!!! and when i awoke - due to being unable to apply neatly.... I still had the ulcer!!!!

i suffer with ulcers quite often - it used to be a part of my menstrual cycle but I got this sorted by seeing a therapist who de-sensitised me to yeast which was causing the problem - now i just get them with stress - unfortunatly there is nothing that will completely stop me getting them as it is a bad bad family trait

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hope this helps
written by Emilyy, August 23, 2009

ive had an ulcer for nearly a week now and it still hasnt gone away but i went up to tesco's the other day and i brought some 'ANBESOL', it's an antiseptic and anaesthetic liquid you just apply up to eight times a day and it helps get rid of the ulcer. I've been using anbesol for 2 days now and my ulcer seems to be getting better

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mouth ulcer
written by zhi kang, August 24, 2009

Hi, my mouth ulcer is 0.9cm and it is very painful. It is more painful than my usual ulcer. Salt and medicine donesn't help for me. It has been there for 5 days. Should i go see a doctor?

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Mouth ulcer treatment
written by Rebecca, August 26, 2009

Vegemite is a good treatment. Takes the ulcer away in a couple of days. Suffer from ulcers since i was a child and get them when i'm run down or about to get a flu.

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Mouth Ulcers
written by clare townrow, August 26, 2009

Please can anyone help me I have always suffered form Ulcers - my mum used to get them when she was younger and grew out of it late 20's but unfortunately im still getting them .

I have tried all pastes, gel's, salt, liquids and even something called Kanka all the way from USA but i still get loads!!! I dont just get 1 but i get about 5 / 6 little ones then they go into a massive one where i cant eat / talk etc....

If anyone can help me or any ideas etc please let me know.

Clare X

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Many Ulsers
written by Suffering, August 30, 2009

I have 8 ulsers. The pain is so unbearable. I tried rubbing salt on all of them. It made my lips and parts inside my mouth swell.

What should i do? I'm in pain

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efective prevention of mouth ulcers
written by Darren, September 03, 2009

I am 28 years of age and have suffered weekly with mouth ulcers pretty much all my life. I have had countless blood tests, trip to the doctors/dentists and nothing concrete to assist with treatment and prevention. Ive used salt water, mouth washes such as Corsodyl, bongela. tried to have more sleep drink less acidic drinks. Most of the treatments/cures etc ive tried. Then one day I spent a few hours on the internet as I had had enough of them, I enjoy my food and drinks etc and this was becoming ever increasingly painful and disrupting my life. I heard of a chemical known as Sodium lauryl sulphite (SLS) which is found prodominently in most common toothpastes. It effects the cells in the mouths of some people which then causes sores then subsequent ulcers. It is used to froth the toothpaste in the mouth when brushing. I went to a normal health foods shop like GNC, Holland and Barratt etc and bought Dr Organic toothpaste which doesnt conatin SLS, its very good and minty and contains natural substences and whiteners. I have used it for 6 weeks and havent had an ulcer since. Its fantastic now and such a simple step to an ulcer free life. its worth a go

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Treatment
written by Phil, September 03, 2009

When my mum was having chemo her doctors gave her a mouth wash called Difflam to reduce the ulcers she got as a biproduct of the chemo. I get bad ass ulcers and this stuff is pretty good at taking the pain away. To really nuke them though I use this and "Adcortyl in Orabase" paste. You can buy them both over the counter.

Also found that coke gives me them but weirdly diet coke doesn't.......

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ulcer affecting my lymph node!!!
written by hetty, September 17, 2009

I have a massive ulcer under my tongue which has encroached in to my lymph node causeing pain along my jaw and into my ear!!!pain pain pain. the doc has just given me 'Adcortyl paste' pleae let this work.

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Ulcers are ruining my life
written by Nayna, October 03, 2009

I have been suffering from mouth ulcers for upto 3 months and it is really disrupting my life and wellbeing. I can't eat or drink what I want and doctors/dentists are no help and are not giving any effective treatments. I have tried antibiotics, painkillers, Difflam, Cordysol, salt solution, various homemade remedies and mouthwashes, and nothing has worked. I am also taking vitamin B12 and iron tablets, but no effect as of yet. I do have gum disease but this cannot be treated until mouth ulcers have gone. Please please please does anyone have a proper cure for this,because it is really bringing me down and I have not been myself for 3 months now. Thanks

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re Ulcers are ruining my life
written by Dave, October 07, 2009

i was once told that ulcers can be a sign of Zinc deficiency - i tried taking Zinc and Vit C tablets, and was ulcer free for ages!

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bloody ulcers
written by Jen , October 09, 2009

I hav had my ulcers now for 5 weeks and they are really effecting my well being I feel tired all the time hav no energy feel absolutely miserable.I have been to the doctors 6 times dentist 2 times I've used antibiotics,diflam mouthwash,small tablets that disolve in your mouth I've just started taking vitimans with iron I'm going to avoid hot food and drink, cut down on yeast products I just feel I've got them for life now.Sorry for feeling sorry for myself Just needed to get things of my chest people who haven't suffered with them don't understand they just think your wingeing over nothing any suggestions of what else i can try please let me know. Jen

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MY 8 yr old daughter has this and its horrible
written by Dianna, October 10, 2009

I have an eight year old daughter who just got the mouth ulcers 2 days ago. ITs a friggen nightmare. She wont eat, drink or anything because of the pain of them.

She wont drink water, eat popcycles or anything does anyone have any ideas?

Dianna

if so please email me

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My ulcers hurts
written by Amanda, October 22, 2009

I have 2 ulcers. Are there any NON-PAINFUL/UNPAINFUL way to cure it?

I'm really scared of those painful ways like putting salt etc., so are there any ways?

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...
written by KERRY, October 24, 2009

ANY1 NO HOW TO GET RID OF ULCERS

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its really a hell
written by babu, November 01, 2009

I got this disease for the last one week. I tried with one gel called TEEJEl. its too horrible. This med is also not working. I am a front office manager where many matters have to talk and need to keep a smile in my face. Oh my God I don't know how much am suffering. This force me to keep away from my customers even. I tried salt, tab b complex and many more. Still I am in hold of this dirty devil. If anybody can help me to get rid of this disease, please mail me. May good God bless you all. Tks

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...
written by jac, November 16, 2009

hi i find that brushing my teeth and then using mouth wash straight after helps ease the pain 4a while, it stings at 1st but is worth it

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...
written by Johnny .W, November 24, 2009

I get Ulcers on the odd occasion, but when i do, they come full force. Right now i have one about an inch in diameter, no joke. I was told to put Hydrogen Peroxide on it as its a sterilizer for bacteria and its supposed to kill the germs and create a protective layer which makes it heal faster.

DON'T DO IT!!!

I've been trying to use this stuff for a week and all it's done is sting like a bluebottle and bubble up everywhere, also, it's made me quite sick and given me headaches seeing as apparently its a poison. And when you do apply it, you have to hold the ulcer away from your mouth cause as soon as it touches something, the peroxide runs off and you get the worst pain. It's the sorta pain that makes you cry, not because it hurts, just because its the type of pain the brings tears too your eyes. Like lemon juice in a paper cut.

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mr
written by darren, December 05, 2009

stop using tooth paste with sodium laureth/lauryl sulphate, the stuffs evil, it really makes a difference.

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...
written by bryan, December 09, 2009

I was getting sores very frequently. Now I chew gum frequently to keep my mouth from getting too dry. I also use Hydrogen Peroxide like a mouth wash daily. DO NOT SWALLOW IT. Doesn't taste good, can sting on a sore, however, after I use it my pain is greatly reduced and I'm able to eat. Using it daily seems to be working as a preventative measure. So Hydrogen Peroxide works for me. Give it a try for a few days, what have you got to lose besides the pain?

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...
written by Michele, December 11, 2009

I suffered for years. they used to zap them with silver nitrate sticks. Burned like a ***. Basically it cauterized them; and sometimes they came back. The best thing I know is to get your regular doc or dentist to prescribe this: 2% xylocaine solution in viscuous liquid. It's the consistency of a syrup. It's will numb the pain immediately. You'll have to reapply through the day. However, your situation will be significantly improved. Good luck.

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Some answers
written by Aida, December 13, 2009

I got my first case of mouth ulcers around 10 years ago. Having no idea what it was I bought every topical gel recommended by doctors and chemists, friends etc. Nothing was helping relieve the pain from the 2cm diameter ulcer on my throat. After a week of pain and tears, it turned out to be an extremely low level of iron, solution was simply to take iron, it worked!!! great I thought.

3 years ago I began to get them again. All over my mouth, inside my lips under my tongue, on my tongue. Some days the pain is so extreme it is dibilitating, I cannot go to work, speak, eat, drink, everything hurts. I began to manage that by changing my diet. I reduced the acidic intake, which is present in almost all foods, especially processed and / packaged, Cafeine, fruits and vegetables. So when
I do get them or feel the first sign of them, I go on a bare diet of only peeled pears, lettuce and boiled lentils (add salt and citric acid for taste), water and a max of 2 cups of decaf a day. This seems to prevent the ulcer from progressing any further and they are gone within a day of two. The control this gives me is worth the sacrifice.

This is as close as I have found to any form of a prevention or cure. Not dismissing general good health and managing stress levels in our lives.

I hope this helps.

Aida.

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Mouthwash
written by Nifft, December 16, 2009

Greetings,

I've suffered from these for years; no explanation, some folks are more prone to them than others. Seems I always had one or two either forming or paining me all the time.

A few years back, I started rinsing my mouth with Listerine, the blue kind, can't remember the name. This has dramatically reduced the occurrence. Even when I get them, they last just a few days and aren't nearly as painful.

This is now a ritual every night before bed. Give it a try; just be sure to rinse the entire mouth and not just the area of the ulcer, as I'm assuming we have a certain bacteria that's always there that causes it.

Good luck!

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ulcers
written by ruth, January 03, 2010

if you have persistant ulcers or/alongside pain in your stomach make sure you go to your doctor and query him about crohns disease. i suffered from ulcers extremely badly when i was 13/14(stuill do now)_ but i went to see a doctort for another reason and just mentioned it in a passing comment how bad my ulcers were- he got me tested for crohns disease and yes i had it. but because i had suffered in silence for so long, i had thought that my stomach hurting after everytime i ate, and having ulcers in my mouth was normal.
i do not have any cures- for me pastes from the pharmacist work best- but nothing ever gets rid of mine. but really you should check with your gp about the crohns- it is a very common disease and can be fatal if gone unnoticed for too long

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Mouth ulcers
written by Carole Heath, January 20, 2010

A few years ago i started getting large mouth ulcers in my mouth, i told my dentist when i went for a check-up she said gargle in salt water it did help somewhat but not much i found. I think these ulcers were to do with that i had an abscess under a crown which i didn't know about as my dentist just gave me anti-biotics for an infection. But later on i started getting terrible pain under this crown and the dentist found this large abscess under the crown and i had to have the crown removed etc as she said the abscess would return and could be bad as they can cause a blood infections. These ulcers i kept getting were very sore and red, they were under my tongue at the side of my mouth and also on the gums and my mouth was so swollen. I do sometimes get ulcers but nothing like before. I now use a anti-septic mouthwash which is quite strong but it does keep them at bay, and sometimes being run down can cause the problem as this article explains, so i take a multi-vitamin as well. And brushing to hard can make the problem worse, mouth ulcers can be very painful although sometimes they are small and play up especially when you eat certain foods.

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Mouth Ulcers
written by Kev, January 27, 2010

At the moment my mouth is covered in the things and thanks to the pain i can barely eat. I have some either side of my bottom lip and in like 4-5 places around my cheeks. I believe they were brought on a lil by stress but mainly from this medicated oraldene mouthwash.

The doctors gave me some 'Corlan Pellets' which contain Hydrocortisone. You can buy these from behind the counter without a perscription for under £5 and they are doing wonders. You press a tablet agasint the ulser and let it desolve into it (moving it from ulser to ulser every now and then). Try to keep your tougne out of the way as the pellets taste pretty awful. There is pain as i push the pellet onto the area but that quickly subsides.

2nd day in (only 5 pellets) and the redness and soreness has been dramatically reduced. I feel like there actually healing now.

Bonjela is good for the one ulser, but for many it didn't seem to work.

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Mrs
written by Gerda Mellows, January 29, 2010

Mouth Ulcers,
I have been suffering with mouth ulcers for about 10yrs. and have eventually worked it out, that if I have anything with wheat I get them within 24 hours. So if you get ulcers,lay off wheat it might be the culprit. I know it will not work for everybody but check it out. You get a range of food that are wheat free even flour, so you don't have to miss out on anything. All our major stores will sell wheat free products. Good luck to all!!!!!

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...
written by Cheryl, February 03, 2010

Difflam mouthwash and spray is good for numbing the pain but only lasts around 15 mins!

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