Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers are painful round or oval sores that form in the mouth, often on the inside of the cheeks. Although mouth ulcers can be uncomfortable, especially when you eat, drink or brush your teeth, they are harmless. Most mouth ulcers clear up by themselves within a couple of weeks. You only
need to see a doctor or dentist if the ulcer gets worse or lasts for longer than three weeks.

Mouth ulcers are very common. Mouth ulcers can’t be passed from person to person. For example, you can’t get an ulcer from sharing drinking glasses.

Most people only have mouth ulcers occasionally. However, some people find they keep coming back. These are called recurrent mouth ulcers. In the UK, one in five adults and about 5%-10% of children suffer from recurrent mouth ulcers.

Mouth ulcers usually get better by themselves. During this healing period, it is recommended to avoid eating hard foods or anything particularly spicy. Reducing stress levels also helps the healing process. Occasionally, the ulcer is in a location due to a traumatic occurrence, such as a sharp tooth rubbing against the cheek. In such a case, consult your dentist.

An anti bacterial mouthwash is recommended to reduce the risk of secondary bacterial infection of the ulcer. Chlorhexidine gluconate is considered with high regard in this field and can be purchased over the counter in pharmacies and is available in some supermarkets. In severe cases, steroids may be a medicine of choice to reduce the inflammation caused by ulcers. In serious cases, consult your doctor.