MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Mouth ulcers

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Mouth ulcers

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Oral thrush

Canker sore (aphthous ulcer)

Lichen planus on the oral mucosa

Mouth sores

Alternative names Return to top

Oral ulcer; Stomatitis - ulcerative; Ulcer - mouth

Definition Return to top

Mouth ulcers are sores or open lesions within the mouth caused by various disorders. (See also mouth sores or aphthous ulcer.)

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Mouth ulcers are caused by many disorders. These include canker sores, leukoplakia, gingivostomatitis, oral cancer, oral lichen planus, oral thrush, herpes simplex, and other disorders. The skin lesion of histoplasmosis may also appear as a mouth ulcer.

Aphthous ulcer is more common in young adults than in children or older adults.

Symptoms Return to top

Pain or discomfort in the mouth
Presence of open sores in the mouth

The appearance and exact location of lesions varies with the specific disorder.

Signs and tests Return to top

A health care provider or dentist usually diagnoses the type of mouth ulcer based on the appearance and location of the lesion. A skin biopsy of the ulcer or blood tests may be needed to confirm the disorder causing the problem.

Treatment Return to top

The goal of treatment is relief of symptoms. The cause, if known, should be treated. Gentle, thorough oral hygiene may relieve some of the symptoms. Topical antihistamines, antacids, corticosteroids, or other soothing preparations may be recommended to apply to the mouth ulcer. Avoid hot or spicy foods, which often increase the pain of mouth ulcers.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

The outcome varies with the causative disorder. Many mouth ulcers are benign and resolve without specific treatment. Rarely, chronic mouth ulcers can develop into oral cancer.

Complications Return to top

Cellulitis of the mouth from secondary bacterial infection of ulcers
Dental infections (tooth abscesses)
Spread of contagious disorders to other people
Oral cancer

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if your mouth ulcer(s) persist for longer than 3 weeks. Call for an appointment with your health care provider if mouth ulcers recur frequently, or if new symptoms develop.

Prevention Return to top

Good oral hygiene may help in the prevention of some types of mouth ulcers or complications from mouth ulcers. This includes brushing the teeth at least twice per day, flossing at least daily, and regular professional dental cleaning and examination.

Update Date: 5/4/2003

Updated by: Bridget Martell, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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