What Causes Mouth Sores?
Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Preventing Further Irritation Download Article
While the most common types of ulcers are peptic ulcers, there are many types, including:
There are several types of mouth sores, including:
Symptoms occur when your red blood cells are so reduced, damaged, or impaired that you have problems transporting enough oxygen throughout your body
Gingivomatitis is a common infection of the mouth and gums, often seen in children
Folate is an important B vitamin used to make and repair DNA and is critical to proper neural tube development in embryos
This is a yeast infection that develops on the inside of your mouth and on your tongue
Leukoplakia causes thick, white patches on your tongue and the lining of your mouth that may be raised, hard, or have a “hairy” appearance
Celiac disease is an abnormal immune system response to gluten that damages the lining of the small intestine
This cancer affects any of the working parts of your mouth or oral cavity including lips, cheeks, teeth, gums, front two-thirds of the tongue, roof, and floor of the mouth
Mouth pain has many possible causes, including injuries, sores, and certain diseases. Keep reading to learn the potential causes of mouth pain, as well as treatment options and when it’s important to seek medical care.
You can take steps to ease mild mouth pain by taking OTC medications and using saltwater rinses.
pain that’s severe and can’t be managed with at-home care. pain that causes difficulty with eating, drinking, or swallowing. persistent tooth or gum pain. mouth sores that are large, won’t go away, or keep coming back. an unexplained growth that doesn’t go away. white lesions inside your mouth.
Canker sores . A canker sore is a small type of ulcer that you may notice inside your cheeks, around your tongue, or on the back of the roof of your mouth (soft palate). They often appear as white lesions with a red border. Canker sores can be triggered by many factors. Some of the most common include:
A specific type of neuralgia called glossopharyngeal neuralgia can cause bouts of severe pain that can impact the tongue. Other areas, such as the throat and tonsils, may also be affected.
Some of the most common symptoms of oral cancer include: painful oral lesions that won’t heal. unexplained lumps or growths in the mouth. white or red patches inside of the mouth. pain or difficulty swallowing. numbness in the lower lip, face, neck, or chin.
A sinus infection happens when your sinuses become swollen and infected. Sometimes, a sinus infection can cause pain in the teeth and gums. This most often occurs around the upper teeth.
Causes. Most mouth sores occur as a result of irritation. Many things can irritate the mouth and lead to sores, including: poorly fitting dentures. a sharp or broken tooth. braces or other devices, such as retainers. burning the mouth on hot food or beverages. tobacco products.
People can avoid getting mouth sores by chewing carefully, practicing good dental hygiene, and avoiding smoking. Some steps that a person can take to help prevent mouth sores include: avoiding hot foods and beverages. chewing carefully and slowly. practicing good dental hygiene. decreasing stress.
Medical conditions and diseases that cause mouth sores include: Candidiasis, or oral thrush, which is a fungal infection that causes white and red patches to appear in the mouth. Herpes simplex, which causes cold sores on the mouth and can also produce genital sores.
Lichen planus, a chronic condition that causes an itchy, inflammatory rash in the mouth or on the skin. Chronic canker sores, which have a red, flat edge and white or greyish patches surrounding them. Gingivostomatitis, a common infection that is particularly prevalent in children.
In other cases, sores form due to underlying health conditions. As some mouth sores can be contagious and may require treatment, anyone who is concerned about chronic or long-lasting sores should speak to a doctor.
In most cases, a person can determine the cause of their mouth sore themselves. For example, a person who has had a canker sore before will recognize another one if it appears.
In other cases, a person may need to take medication to treat the underlying cause of the sores. If a person has frequent or long-lasting mouth sores or the pain is severe, it is best to speak to a doctor. Last medically reviewed on March 12, 2019. Dentistry. Dermatology. Ear, Nose, and Throat.
The majority of mouth sores are round or oval, with a white or yellow center and a red border.
Canker sores, also called aphthous ulcers, develop within the oral cavity. 3 They appear as small ulcers with a white, yellow, or gray center and a flat red border.
You can develop mouth sores due to oral cancer, viral, fungal, or bacterial infections.
Mouth sores usually produce redness and pain, particularly while eating and drinking. They may also make the area surrounding the sore feel hot or tingly.
Although mouth sores can be mild, harmless, and disappear within a few days, some mouth sores can be a sign of cancer, viral infection, bacterial infection, or fungal infection.
Most mouth ulcers will go away without treatment. However, if your mouth ulcers are frequent and painful, there are various things you can do to manage the condition.
Infectious: Bacterial infections can present with painful sores that appear in the mouth, especially of the soft or hard palate. There are also fungi that commonly infect warm, damp areas of the body such as the mouth. Painful spots due to fungi can range from red and patchy to creamy and white.
These strategies can go a long way to limit mouth pain. Hygiene: Try not to put your hands in your mouth, especially after touching doorknobs or surfaces prone to harboring germs, as well as after interacting with sick individuals. Try to wash your hands as much as possible.
A cold sore is a skin lesion on the lips caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV ). Cold sores are extremely common. In fact, most adults are infected with HSV, usually transmitted in childhood by normal close contact with parents, siblings or friends.
However, there are over-the-counter medications you can use to help soothe lingering pain, such as mouth rinses and topical products.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. It is typically caused by poor dental hygiene and the buildup of bacteria. Its hallmark symptoms are swollen, discolored, bleeding gums. The main risk factors for the development of the disease are increasing age, smoking, and dry mouth. It is both treatable and ..
Burning mouth syndrome. Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic pain syndrome defined as having a burning pain or sensation in your mouth without a cause that can be found. It happens way more often in women (7 times more likely), typically during times of hormonal changes (just before or during menopause).
Foods that cause this include spicy or acidic foods like oranges, eggs, strawberries, and even chocolate. Diets that lack nutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin C, folate, or iron can also result in pain localized to the roof of the mouth.
Bleeding. The corners of the mouth start bleeding if the mouth is opened improperly or the dryness makes the cracks in them. If the lips are not taken care of, the blood and the other material accumulate on the side of the lips causing even more discomfort.
The redness is because there is a small wound on the side of the lips and as a response to any injury caused to the body, our brain increases the blood flow to that area. This is done in order to fasten the healing process.
Wearing dentures that do not fit appropriately is another reason for the sore corner. Dentures are made up of metals or fiber and are pointy. So when they do not fit properly, they tend to injure the area around them forming wounds leading to soreness.
The blisters are usually seen in the case of cold sores or herpes. They can get worse because of drooling and not keeping the area clean.
Hydrate. Most of the cracked lips corners are caused by dehydration. So, drinking at least 6 glasses of water daily and increasing the intake according to the need is important. Water maintains the elasticity of the skin and its deficiency makes the skin dry.
Cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is an excellent moisturizer and helps keep the lips hydrated. No matter what has caused the sores in the corner of the mouth, moisturizing them is very important and nothing better than cocoa butter can be used.
Dehydration. Dehydration is the number one cause of the dryness and the chapping of the lips. Dehydration leads to the development of cracks on the side of the lips. These cracks if not taken care of might lead to many other infections and turn into a big disease.
Follow good oral hygiene habits. Regular brushing after meals and flossing once a day can keep your mouth clean and free of foods that might trigger a sore. Use a soft brush to help prevent irritation to delicate mouth tissues, and avoid toothpastes and mouth rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Protect your mouth.
Possible triggers for canker sores include: A minor injury to your mouth from dental work, overzealous brushing, sports mishaps or an accidental cheek bite. Food sensitivities, particularly to chocolate, coffee, strawberries, eggs, nuts, cheese, and spicy or acidic foods.
They form inside your mouth — on or under your tongue, inside your cheeks or lips, at the base of your gums, or on your soft palate. You might notice a tingling or burning sensation a day or two before the sores actually appear .
They usually have a white or yellow center and a red border and can be extremely painful. Canker sores, also called aphthous ulcers, are small, shallow lesions that develop on the soft tissues in your mouth or at the base of your gums. Unlike cold sores, canker sores don't occur on the surface of your lips and they aren't contagious.
Canker sores occur singly or in clusters on the inside surfaces of your cheeks or lips, on or under your tongue, at the base of your gums, or on your soft palate. They usually have a white or yellow center and a red border and can be extremely painful.
Anyone can develop canker sores. But they occur more often in teens and young adults, and they're more common in females. Often people with recurrent canker sores have a family history of the disorder. This may be due to heredity or to a shared factor in the environment, such as certain foods or allergens.
Stomatitis. Stomatitis, a general term for an inflamed and sore mouth, can disrupt a person's ability to eat, talk, and sleep. Stomatitis can occur anywhere in the mouth, including the inside of the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, and palate.
The following strategies might help to ease the pain and inflammation of mouth sores: Avoid hot beverages and foods as well as salty, spicy, and citrus-based foods. Use pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen. Gargle with cool water or suck on ice pops if you have a mouth burn.
Try the following: Drink more water. Rinse with salt water. Practice proper dental care. Apply a topical anesthetic such as lidocaine or xylocaine to the ulcer ( not recommended for children under 6) .
About 20% people in the U.S. will have canker sores at some point during their lifetime -- women more often than men. Cold Sores. Cold sores are caused by a virus called herpes simplex type 1. Unlike canker sores, cold sores are contagious from the time the blister ruptures to the time it has completely healed.
Usually last 5 to 10 days. Tend to come back. Are generally not associated with fever. Cold sores: Are usually painful. Are usually gone in 7 to 10 days.
Nobody knows what exactly causes canker sores, but many things may contribute to their development, such as certain medications, trauma to the mouth, poor nutrition, stress, bacteria or viruses, lack of sleep, sudden weight loss, and certain foods such as potatoes, citrus fruits, coffee, chocolate, cheese, and nuts.
Mouth sores generally don't last longer than two weeks, even without treatment. If a cause can be identified, your doctor may be able to treat it. If a cause cannot be identified, the focus of treatment shifts to symptom relief. Avoid hot beverages and foods as well as salty, spicy, and citrus-based foods.