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 have more than one mouth ulcer at a time and they may spread or grow.

Mouth ulcers shouldn't be confused with Herpes simplex virus , which are small blisters that develop on the lips or around the mouth. Cold sores often begin with a tingling, itching or burning sensation around your mouth.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018