Mouth Ulcer
When to see your pharmacist, dentist or GP
Source: NHS
In this topic (7)
Mouth ulcers can be painful, which can make it uncomfortable to eat, drink or brush your teeth.
It's usuallysafe to treat mouth ulcers at home. See your GPor dentist if:
- your mouth ulcer has lasted three weeks
- you keep getting mouth ulcers
- your mouth ulcer becomes more painful or redthis could be a sign of a bacterial infection, which may need treatment with antibiotics
Mouth ulcers are alsoa possible symptom of a viral infection that mainly affects young children, called hand, foot and mouth disease. Speak to your GP or call NHS 111 if you're unsure.
Read about the symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease .
Articles for Mouth Ulcer
Can mouth ulcers be prevented?
It may not be possible to prevent mouth ulcers, because they're often caused by things you can't control (such as a family history or a medical condition). However, the following may help to reduce y
How to treat mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers dont usually need to be treated, because they tend to clear up by themselves within a week or two. However,treatmentcanhelp to reduce swelling and ease any discomfort. This may help if y
Introduction
Mouth ulcers are painful sores that appear in the mouth. Although they're uncomfortable, theyre usually harmless and most clear up by themselves within a week or two.
Is itmouth cancer?
In a few cases, a long-lasting mouth ulcer can be a sign of mouth cancer . Ulcers caused by mouth cancer usually appear on or under the tongue, although you can get them in other areas of the mouth.
What causes mouth ulcers?
In many cases, the reason for mouth ulcers is unclear. Most single mouth ulcers are caused by damage to the lining inside of themouth. For example: accidentally biting the inside of your cheek or a
What does a mouth ulcer look like?
Mouth ulcers areusually round or oval sores that commonly appear inside the mouth on the: cheeks lips tongue They can be white, red, yellow or grey in colour and swollen. It's possible to hav
When to see your pharmacist, dentist or GP
Mouth ulcers can be painful, which can make it uncomfortable to eat, drink or brush your teeth. It's usuallysafe to treat mouth ulcers at home. See your GPor dentist if: your mouth ulcer has laste