Almost everyone gets a mouth ulcer at some point: a painful, round sore inside the lip, cheek or on the tongue. Most are harmless and heal on their own. A few are a sign of something that needs an examination, and knowing the difference matters.
Common causes
- Minor injury — biting the cheek, a sharp tooth edge, a broken filling, a rubbing denture or braces wire
- Recurrent aphthous ulcers — common, often run in families, triggered by stress, lack of sleep or certain foods
- Hot or spicy food burns
- Vitamin or iron deficiency (B12, folate, iron)
- Viral infections
- Some medicines
- Tobacco, gutka and areca nut — irritate the lining of the mouth
What helps
- Rinse with warm salt water a few times a day
- Avoid very spicy, acidic and hot food until it heals
- Use a soft toothbrush
- Pharmacy gels can numb the area briefly
- Have a sharp tooth, broken filling or rubbing denture fixed — otherwise the ulcer keeps returning
Most ulcers heal within 7 to 14 days.
See a dentist if
- An ulcer has not healed within two weeks
- It is painless but persistent — this is more concerning than a painful one
- It is hard, raised or rough-edged, or bleeds easily
- There is a white or red patch that does not rub off
- You have frequent ulcers that rarely clear
- Mouth opening is becoming stiff or restricted
- There is a lump in the neck
- You use tobacco, gutka or areca nut and notice any change in the mouth
These need a proper examination by an oral medicine specialist, who decides whether further tests are needed. Most turn out to be benign, but early assessment is what matters. See tobacco and gutka effects on the mouth.
How it is assessed at Lifedent
The ulcer's size, edges, texture and location are examined and any cause such as a sharp tooth is looked for. Blood tests for deficiencies may be suggested for recurrent ulcers. Persistent or suspicious lesions are evaluated further, including a small biopsy where needed. Lifedent's team includes a specialist in oral medicine and radiology — see oral microsurgical treatments and our doctors.
Common questions
Are mouth ulcers contagious? Ordinary ulcers are not. Cold sores on the lip, caused by a virus, can be.
Can toothpaste cause ulcers? Some people find toothpastes with certain foaming agents trigger them; switching can help.
Do ulcers mean I have a vitamin deficiency? Sometimes, especially if they are frequent. A blood test can check.
Ulcer not healing? Book an examination at Lifedent, Rajkot.