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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Mouth and teeth. Home Mouth and teeth. Mouth ulcers. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet.

On this page. What are mouth ulcers? Aphthous ulcers Mouth ulcers that won't heal Symptoms of mouth ulcers Causes of mouth ulcers When to seek treatment for mouth ulcers Treatment for mouth ulcers Prevention of mouth ulcers Where to get help. Aphthous ulcer External Link , , DermNet NZ.

Mouth sores and ulcers External Link , , healthdirect. Give feedback about this page. Mouth ulcers are rarely a sign of anything serious, but may be uncomfortable to live with. A pharmacist can recommend a treatment to speed up healing, prevent infection or reduce pain, such as:.

Although most mouth ulcers are harmless, a long-lasting mouth ulcer is sometimes a sign of mouth cancer. It's best to get it checked. A GP or dentist may prescribe stronger medicine to treat severe, persistent or infected mouth ulcers.

Mouth ulcers are not contagious and should not be confused with cold sores. Cold sores appear on the lips or around the mouth and often begin with a tingling, itching or burning sensation. Most single mouth ulcers are caused by things you can try to avoid, such as:.

They can appear on the tongue and gums, on the lips, inside the cheeks, and sometimes on the roof of the mouth. They can come individually or in clusters of between four and six. The main difference between minor and major mouth ulcers is their size. Major canker sores penetrate a lot deeper into the tissue than minor ones, meaning that when they eventually leave, they are more likely to leave behind scar tissue.

They also have irregular edges and are often raised compared to minor ulcers. They can appear in the same places as minor mouth ulcers and near the tonsils, making swallowing difficult and painful. Major mouth ulcers take up to six weeks to heal, although you should consult your doctor or dentist if any ulcer takes over three weeks.

Despite their name, herpetiform mouth ulcers are not a form of herpes. They get their name because they resemble the herpes infection. Like herpes, herpetiform mouth ulcers are the size of a pinpoint and come in clusters between 10 and Although they will heal independently within a couple of weeks, these types of canker sores are known to recur frequently.

Although mouth ulcers may appear randomly, many risk factors and potential triggers make it more likely for them to occur. Some of the most common causes of canker sores are:. As you can see, there are many reasons why you might end up with mouth ulcers, and it is worth bearing in mind that the above list is far from exhaustive.

However, there are steps you can take to prevent mouth ulcers, which is especially helpful if you believe that you are prone to them or have experienced canker sores in the past:.

It can sometimes be impossible to avoid mouth ulcers due to some unavoidable factors like genetics, hormones, and immune systems. But there are ways to treat your mouth ulcers at home, such as:.

If your ulcer lasts over three weeks, comes with any other symptoms, causes significant pain, returns frequently, or can be classified as a major mouth ulcer, you must speak with your doctor.

Methods to Prevent Mouth Ulcers. What are Mouth Ulcers?

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How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What Causes Mouth Ulcers and How to Treat Them. Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — By Shannon Johnson and Ashley Williams — Updated on September 14, Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Mouth ulcer vs.

cold sore Aphthous ulcers Treatment Prevention tips. Mouth Ulcers: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments. Causes of mouth ulcers. Mouth ulcer symptoms. Was this helpful? Diagnosis of mouth ulcers. Mouth ulcer vs. cold sore. Aphthous ulcers. Mouth ulcer treatment. How to prevent mouth ulcers.

How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Sep 14, Written By Shannon Johnson, Ashley Williams. Mar 24, Written By Shannon Johnson. Share this article. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN.

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Major mouth ulcers take up to six weeks to heal, although you should consult your doctor or dentist if any ulcer takes over three weeks. Despite their name, herpetiform mouth ulcers are not a form of herpes. They get their name because they resemble the herpes infection. Like herpes, herpetiform mouth ulcers are the size of a pinpoint and come in clusters between 10 and Although they will heal independently within a couple of weeks, these types of canker sores are known to recur frequently.

Although mouth ulcers may appear randomly, many risk factors and potential triggers make it more likely for them to occur. Some of the most common causes of canker sores are:. As you can see, there are many reasons why you might end up with mouth ulcers, and it is worth bearing in mind that the above list is far from exhaustive.

However, there are steps you can take to prevent mouth ulcers, which is especially helpful if you believe that you are prone to them or have experienced canker sores in the past:. It can sometimes be impossible to avoid mouth ulcers due to some unavoidable factors like genetics, hormones, and immune systems.

But there are ways to treat your mouth ulcers at home, such as:. If your ulcer lasts over three weeks, comes with any other symptoms, causes significant pain, returns frequently, or can be classified as a major mouth ulcer, you must speak with your doctor.

Methods to Prevent Mouth Ulcers. What are Mouth Ulcers? Major Mouth Ulcers The main difference between minor and major mouth ulcers is their size. Herpetiform Mouth Ulcers Despite their name, herpetiform mouth ulcers are not a form of herpes.

Mouth Ulcer Causes Although mouth ulcers may appear randomly, many risk factors and potential triggers make it more likely for them to occur. Some of the most common causes of canker sores are: Gender — women are considered to be more at risk of developing mouth ulcers than men.

Age — it is especially common for adolescents to experience mouth ulcers. Genetics — if you have a family history of canker sores, this makes you a lot more likely to develop them yourself.

You might be allergic to certain types of mouth bacteria, so when you come into contact with them, mouth ulcers will occur as part of an allergic reaction. Quitting smoking.

If you are deficient in vitamins like zinc, folate, iron, and B Apparatus that might rub against the mouth or gums, like braces or ill-fitting dentures. Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. If you have a lower immune system. The use of medication like beta-blockers or painkillers.

Using mouthwash or toothpaste that contains sodium lauryl sulphate. A minor mouth injury from accidental bites, hard brushing, or sports. Stress, anxiety, or other periods of emotional intensity.