Mouth ulcers are painful, clearly defined, round or oval sores that form in the mouth. They are sometimes also known as aphthous ulcers which are very common. Most people will have at least one during their lifetime. They affect at least 20% of the population. Mouth ulcers are more common in women and young adults. Usually, a single mouth ulcer is due to damage caused by biting the cheek or tongue, or by sharp teeth, brushing or poorly fitting dentures. These ulcers are called ‘traumatic’ ulcers. If you have a number of mouth ulcers, and they keep coming back, this is called ‘recurrent aphthous stomatitis’. Traumatic ulcers are usually on their own, are next to the cause of the damage and go away once the source of the problem is removed.
Minor ulcers are the most common. They can appear inside the cheeks, and on the lips, tongue and gums and, more rarely, on the roof of the mouth. Most of these ulcers are the size of the top of a pencil and can sometimes come in clusters. You can get four to six at any one time.
Large ulcers are more severe and can take longer to heal. Any ulcer that lasts longer than 3 weeks should be checked by your dentist. Large ulcers may appear near the tonsils and can be very painful, especially when you swallow. You usually only get one at a time.
The treatment depends on the cause of the ulcers. Sometimes all that is needed is for a sharp tooth to be smoothed down or a denture adjusted. Most ulcers heal up on their own. If you suffer from ulcers that come and go often, you should visit your dental team to check that there is not an underlying medical cause.
