Mouth Ulcers

Mouth Ulcers are common, occur individually, in groups of 2-3 or occasionally some people have 10 or more at a time. They can occur a few times a year.

The underlying cause is not always certain, but is likely an immune mediated response. Common triggers include:

  • Emotional stress
  • Menstruation
  • Injury to the mouth (hot pizza, biting your own check etc.)

Most ulcers are painful for about 3-10 days and heal without a scar in about 2 weeks.

Treatment

  • Eating bland foods
  • Corticosteroid creams (mild creams are available without prescription from your local pharmacy)
  • A chlorohexidine based mouthwash (Savacol or Curasept)

Mouth ulcers can indicate a more serious underlying problem, such as:

  • Allergies
  • Vitamin or mineral deficiencies
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Lupus
  • Oral cancer

When to seek help

  • You are experiencing ulcers for the first time
  • Your sores are larger than 1cm
  • You are getting more sores, more often
  • You have other symptoms (rashes, joint pain, fever, diarrhoea)
  • The ulcers are not healing (even if they are not painful)