Mouth Ulcers: Causes and Possible Treatments

Mouth ulcers are small, shallow sores that develop inside the mouth, often on the inner cheeks, lips, tongue, or the floor of the mouth. They can make eating, drinking, and brushing uncomfortable, especially when they become irritated.

Often, mouth ulcers are a short-term issue and heal on their own without any need for treatment. However, if they occur frequently, take a long time to heal, or are particularly painful, it may be worth seeking treatment to see if there may be an underlying cause.

As for what causes mouth ulcers, they can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, irritation, nutritional deficiencies, or certain health conditions. Some people may be more prone to developing them due to genetic factors or their immune response.

If you have mouth ulcers that are persistent, recurrent, or large than normal, it’s a good idea to speak with a dentist. They can assess if your symptoms may be pointing to something that needs further attention or management and recommend the right mouth ulcers treatment.

Our dentists at Oasis Dental Studio in the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Pottsville can assess your mouth ulcers and discuss any other symptoms you may be experiencing. We can then recommend a suitable treatment approach or provide you with advice on how to manage them.

How to Identify Ulcers in Mouth and What They May Feel Like

Mouth ulcers are small but often irritating sores that appear inside of the mouth, usually on the inner cheeks, lips, tongue or floor of the mouth. They’re not contagious like cold sores, and they don’t appear on the outside of the lips.

They can appear as round or oval spots, with a pale centre and red border and may feel sore, especially when eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth.

They can feel like a stinging or burning spot and might be most noticeable when eating spicy, salty, or acidic foods. You might also feel a mild tingling or soreness before the ulcer even appears. Once they have developed, the area can feel raw or tender and may be also become more sensitive to hot food or drinks.

Some ulcers are small and only mildly uncomfortable, while others can feel more inflamed or even make it painful to eat, drink or talk. If the area becomes irritated regularly, for example, from braces, a sharp tooth, or biting the inside of your cheek, it may take longer to heal or feel more swollen than usual.

How Common Are Mouth Ulcers?

Mouth ulcers are quite common and can affect people of all ages. Most people will have at least one or two in their lifetime, but others can experience them more regularly, particularly during times of stress, illness, or hormonal changes.

They tend to be more common in teenagers and young adults, but anyone can have them. Some people are more prone to recurring ulcers than others, particularly if they have a family history, or if they’re dealing with ongoing health conditions that impact the immune system or nutrient absorption.

While most ulcers are short-lived and relatively mild, persistent or recurring ulcers should be assessed. In quite rare cases, a chronic ulcer can be linked to a more complex underlying issue that might benefit from further treatment.

What Causes Mouth Ulcers?

There isn’t always one clear cause for a mouth ulcer, but a few common triggers tend to come up more often than others.

Injury or trauma to the mouth is one of the most common causes. This could be from accidentally biting your cheek or tongue, irritation from braces or dental appliances, or brushing your teeth too hard. A sharp or broken tooth or an ill-fitting dentures can also rub against the inner mouth and trigger ulcers over time.

Nutritional deficiencies, particularly of iron, vitamin B12, or folate, have also been linked to recurrent mouth ulcers. These nutrients help support cell repair and immune function, so lower levels can affect how the mouth tissue recovers and responds to minor injuries.

Stress and hormonal fluctuations can also be a cause, and many people find that ulcers tend to show up during periods of low immunity or high stress. Some people may also notice ulcers in mouth while they are ill.

Sometimes, ulcers in mouth may be a symptom of a more complex medical condition, such as coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease, or Behçet’s disease. If ulcers are appearing alongside other symptoms like digestive issues, joint pain, or skin rashes, further health assessments may be recommended.

How Long Do Mouth Ulcers Last?

Most minor ulcers will clear up on their own within seven to 10 days, though some may persist for a little while longer. If the area is left alone and not irritated again, for example, by sharp foods or constant rubbing, the ulcers in the mouth may heal sooner.

Larger or more painful ulcers, especially those caused by repeated trauma or underlying health issues, may sometimes take up to two to three weeks to fully heal. Generally, ulcers that don’t start healing within this time frame should be checked.

If you’ve noticed an ulcer that’s been present for more than two weeks without signs of improvement, or if it’s getting larger or more painful, we recommend booking a check-up with your dentist.

How to Help Mouth Ulcers Heal at Home

If your ulcer is mild and not affecting your ability to eat or talk, a few simple home strategies can usually help to ease discomfort and support the healing process.

Avoiding spicy, acidic, or salty foods can help prevent further irritation. Sticking to soft, cool meals and drinks for a few days may also help reduce stinging or burning sensations. Try to avoid chewing in the area of the ulcer where possible.

Using a saltwater rinse or antiseptic mouthwash (non-alcoholic) can help keep the area clean and may reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter gels or pastes designed for ulcers can also create a protective barrier, which helps with healing and can ease stinging, especially before meals.

If you’re prone to biting the same area of your cheek or tongue, it may be worth checking your bite or discussing dental options to reduce ongoing trauma to that area. Your dentist can check whether a sharp tooth or bite misalignment might be contributing to the cause of the ulcer.

When to See a Dentist

While many ulcers are short-term and clear up on their own, there are times when it’s a good idea to check in with your dentist.

Your dentist at Oasis Dental Studio can take a closer look at the affected area, ask about any related symptoms, and determine if any further assessments or treatment is needed. Sometimes, we may refer you to a specialist if we think further assessment may be necessary.

If you’re concerned, please get in touch with our team at one of our locations (in the Gold Coast, Brisbane or Pottsville).

We recommend seeing a dentist if:

The ulcer hasn’t improved after two weeks
You’re experiencing repeated ulcers in the same area
The ulcer is very large, painful, or swollen
You’ve noticed changes in its shape, colour, or texture
You’re having trouble eating, drinking, or speaking comfortably
The ulcer is accompanied by other symptoms like fever, fatigue, or swollen glands
You wear dentures or braces that might be irritating the area

Possible Treatment Options for Mouth Ulcers

Treatment options for mouth ulcers will depend on the cause, how often they’re occurring, and whether there are other symptoms present. Often, the approach may be focused on easing irritation, protecting the area, and helping the ulcers heal while aiding in comfort levels.

Monitoring
If the ulcer is mild and healing on its own, your dentist may simply recommend keeping an eye on it and avoiding anything that could delay recovery. If the area seems to be improving, no further treatment may be needed.
Topical Treatments
Prescription gels, pastes, or mouth rinses may be recommended if the ulcer is painful, persistent, or particularly swollen. These products can help reduce inflammation, protect the area from further trauma, and support healing.
Addressing Contributing Factors
If a sharp tooth, dental appliance, or bite alignment is contributing to recurring ulcers, your dentist can discuss ways to reduce the friction in that area. Smoothing rough edges, adjusting dentures, or using other orthodontic methods may help to prevent future irritation.
Nutritional Support
If blood tests suggest that low iron, vitamin B12, or folate may be contributing to recurring ulcers, your GP may recommend dietary changes or supplements to help improve your levels, which can help to support mouth tissue healing.
Further Health Assessments
If an ulcer isn’t healing or is showing signs that it might not be a standard mouth ulcer, for example, if it’s growing, has an unusual surface, or keeps coming back in the same spot, we may refer you for further tests or a specialist opinion.
In rare cases, persistent ulcers can be a sign of another underlying health condition, so it’s always better to have them checked early.
Ongoing Care (If You Are Prone to Ulcers)
If you’re someone who gets mouth ulcers regularly, we can help you look into what might be contributing to the problem and recommend changes that may reduce how often they happen.
Ongoing management might involve switching to a more suitable toothpaste, addressing dental appliances that are rubbing, or managing any clenching or grinding that might be contributing. We can also talk about broader health or lifestyle factors that could be involved, such as stress, nutrition, or immune function.
Keeping your mouth as healthy and well-supported as possible with regular check-ups, gentle oral care, and paying attention to changes, can go a long way in preventing minor irritations from turning into recurring or more serious issues.
If you’re dealing with mouth ulcers that keep coming back, don’t seem to heal, or are making it hard to eat or talk, you’re welcome to book an appointment with one of our general dentists at Oasis Dental Studio in the Gold Coast, Brisbane or Pottsville.

Mouth Ulcers