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Mouth ulcers (also known as recurrent aphthous ulcers) are a common condition and usually appear suddenly, causing pain. They are like small sores that appear on the inside of your cheeks. They can also be found on the edge of, or underneath your tongue, and rarely, on the roof of the mouth.
They usually go away in one to two weeks without treatment but can come back within three months in some people.
 What causes Mouth Ulcers ?
No one knows the exact cause but some people tend to get them more often than others, especially if there is a family history of mouth ulcers.
Mouth ulcers are most common in children and young adults. Students and people who are under a lot of stress may get them often. Some women can get them before their period or during pregnancy.
Other causes of mouth ulcers can be :
- Damage to the inside lining of your mouth by very hot or acidic food and drinks.
- Biting your inner cheek.
- Brushing your teeth and gums very hard.
- Poorly fitted dentures.
- A very dry mouth - due to a medical condition or from some medicines.
- Eating food you are allergic to.
- Scraping of the mouth lining by sucking hard sweets.
- Being stressed or lacking certain vitamins and minerals in your body such as folic acid, the B-group vitamins or iron.
- Certain medicines - your self care pharmacist can advise you if your medication could be the possible cause and refer you to your doctor.
Signs and Symptoms
- Mouth ulcers are round or oval shaped, and usually less than 1cm in size. They are yellow to grey in colour on the inside, with a swollen red edge.
- They can be very painful, especially when eating or drinking.
- Some people can get a tingling or burning feeling, 1-2 days before the ulcers appears.
- Small blisters or sores on the outside of your lips are usually cold sores. Check with your Self Care Pharmacist and refer to the Cold Sores remedies.
Treatment
Mouth ulcers can heal within 7-14 days without treatment, but medicines can provide relief.
Medicine can numb the pain, protect the ulcer from further damage or decrease any possible bacteria infection. Some medicines may speed up healing if used early enough.
Pasters
- Form a protective layer over the ulcer which allow it to heal faster and can help with the pain.
- Some pasters contain anti-inflammatory medicines, which if applied at the tingling stage, can prevent the mouth ulcer from developing further.
- You need to dry your mouth first before applying the paste.
- Dab it on rather than rubbing.
Gels
- Form a protective layer over the mouth ulcer.
- Some also contain medicins that numb the pain. Avoid using large amounts of gels, especially in children under 12 years old.
Mouth Washes
- Are useful for hard to reach ulcers.
- Can help to prevent bacteria causing an infection.
- Some mouth washes can also numb the pain.
- They work best if you start to use them as soon as you feel the tingling sensation.
Liquid Paste
- Form a protective layer over the mouth ulcer but need to be re-applied often.
Ask your Self Care Pharmacist to help you choose the most suitable treatment for your mouth ulcer. Apply paster and gels as directed during the day. Also apply at bedtime to allow longer contact with the mouth ulcer.
Take a pain reliever, eg paracetamol, if the pain of the mouth ulcer is very severe. Check with your Self Care Pharmacist first. if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or before giving medicines for mouth ulcers to children.
Self Care
- Suck on ice to help reduce the pain of mouth ulcers.
- Avoid spicy or acidic food and drinks when you have a mounth ulcer.
- Avoid very hot food and drinks.
- Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush straight after eating. If you can't brush, rinse your mouth with warm water or chlorhexidine mouthwash bought from your pharmacy.
- If dentures cause your mouth ulcers, have their fiting re-checked.
- Take vitamin B and C supplements if you are run down, especially for women and students 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 or fruit and green vegetables.
Important
See your doctor or dentist if you have mouth ulcers that :
- Are larger than 1 cm or you have lots of tiny ulcers that join together to form a larger ulcer.
- Do not heal within 3-4 weeks even with medicines.
- Bleed a lot.
- Occur in every shot periods of time, eg every 1-2 weeks.
- Come with a sore throat or a rash on your face or any part of your body.
- Are not painful at all.
- Occur with diarrhoea as well.
These warning signs may mean you need prescription medicines or have some other serious medical condition.
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