Mouth ulcers are small sores, which develop in the mouth, usually inside the cheeks. Ulcers are not usually harmful, but they can be painful, especially if you catch them when you are eating or brushing your teeth.

Symptoms of mouth ulcers

Mouth ulcers are oval-shaped sores, which tend to be sore; they are usually either grey or yellow and they may be surrounded by slightly inflamed tissue. Mouth ulcers usually develop inside the cheeks, but they can also be found on the inside of the lip, underneath the tongue and on the bottom of the mouth.

In many cases, mouth ulcers do not require any treatment, but you should seek medical help if the ulcer gets worse, it is very painful or you have it for more than 2 weeks.

Treatment for mouth ulcers

Mouth ulcers usually heal by themselves, but if you have a painful ulcer you can use medication to ease discomfort. Mouth ulcer medicines can be prescribed by your GP and you can also buy many of them over the counter; if you have any concerns or questions, you can ask a pharmacist for advice.

If you have an ulcer that does not heal after 2 weeks, you should see your dentist. Slow-healing sores are symptomatic of oral cancer and although it is very unlikely that this is the case, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Self-care for ulcers

When you have an ulcer, it can be very uncomfortable, but there are some simple steps you can take to avoid and reduce pain. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles, avoid eating sharp foods (such as crusty bread and crisps) and try to avoid stress as much as possible. If you find that eating some foods triggers ulcers, try to avoid these foods in the future. Contact the staff at Harley Street Dental Studio in the city of London for more information.