Mouth Ulcers

General Health 0106 2011

Mouth ulcers are small, painful sores on the inside lining of the mouth. They usually develop on the inside of the lips and cheeks and on the underneath and edge of the tongue. Medicines from a pharmacist may reduce the pain and help mouth ulcers to heal.

Mouthy ulcers are sores on the inside lining of the mouth. Blisters or sores on the lips or around the outside of the mouth are usually cold sores, not mouth ulcers. A pharmacist or doctor can help you know the difference. Causes A variety of different things can damage or affect the inside lining of the mouth, • Very hot food or drinks leading to a mouth ulcer. Sometimes • Some foods (e.g., caffeine, tangy the cause of a mouth ulcer is known cheese, citrus fruit, chocolate, spicy or (e.g., biting your cheek or tongue), but salty food) sometimes the cause of a mouth ulcer is • Rough tooth brushing not known. • Some toothpastes and mouth rinses Possible triggers for mouth • Dentures, braces, rough dental fillings ulcers include: or sharp edges on teeth • Biting or chewing the inside of • Certain medicines, including herbal the cheek remedies – ask a pharmacist

Self Care is a program of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Self Care is committed to providing current and reliable health information. • Some cancer treatments Medicines • Some medical conditions Most mouth ulcers heal by themselves (e.g., infection, inflammatory bowel without treatment, but medicines may disease, coeliac disease) reduce the discomfort and the healing • A dry mouth (which may be due to time. There is a range of non-prescription medicines or medical conditions) products available for mouth ulcers. • Quitting smoking Ask a pharmacist for advice. • Some nutritional deficiencies Pastes: (e.g., low iron, folic acid, vitamin B12) • Form a protective, soothing layer • Hormone changes (e.g., menstruation) over the mouth ulcer • Stress. • Some pastes contain an Aphthous Ulcers anti-inflammatory medicine to reduce pain and swelling. These medicines (Canker Sores) may speed healing, especially if Aphthous ulcers are a type of mouth applied as soon as the ulcer begins. ulcer that often has no known cause or Mouthwashes and lozenges: trigger. They often appear for the first • Some products contain an antiseptic time between 10 and 19 years of age, to stop bacteria in the mouth from then occasionally reappear, becoming infecting the ulcer less frequent and less severe with age. A tendency to get aphthous ulcers may • Some products contain a medicine to be an inherited condition. reduce pain and swelling • Are helpful for treating mouth ulcers Most aphthous ulcers are: that are in hard to reach places • Round or oval shaped, shallow sores, • Help keep the mouth clean if it is too about 3–5 mm across painful to brush teeth properly. • Yellow to grey-white in colour with Gels, paints, lozenges: redness and swelling around them • Some products contain an antiseptic • Very painful for about 4 days. to stop bacteria from infecting Some people feel pain or burning on the ulcer the affected area, 1–2 days before an • Some products contain a medicine to ulcer appears. reduce pain and swelling Aphthous ulcers are not contagious and • Some products contain a local most heal in 7–10 days anaesthetic to numb the ulcer without scarring.

To find your nearest Self Care pharmacy go to the pharmacy finder at www.psa.org.au Self care Important • Try to identify and avoid foods and drinks which can cause or irritate Although most mouth ulcers are mouth ulcers. a minor problem, sometimes they • Keep your mouth and teeth clean with are a symptom of a more serious regular brushing and flossing. If the medical condition. Consult a ulcer is too painful to brush your teeth, doctor if mouth ulcers: use an antiseptic mouthwash. • Last more than two weeks • Brush your teeth gently, using a • Are larger than 1cm across soft toothbrush. • Heal with scarring • If mouth ulcers are very painful, use a • Occur often pain-relieving medicine before eating. (e.g., every 1–2 weeks) • Try sucking on ice to help relieve the • Occur in crops of 5 to 10, pain of mouth ulcers. or more • Don’t chew and talk at the same time • Occur with a sore throat, fever or • Have dentures checked regularly to other signs of illness make sure they fit well. • Are painless • Rinse dentures with water • Make it difficult to drink before insertion. adequate fluid. • Drink enough water every day to • Occur in a child under 10 years satisfy your thirst and to keep your of age urine ‘light-coloured’ (unless a doctor Consult a dentist if you have sharp advises otherwise). tooth edges or dental appliances • Eat regular healthy meals, including that seem to cause mouth ulcers plenty of fruit, vegetables and grain foods. Limit foods high in fat, sugar or salt. • Consider vitamin and mineral supplements. • Learn and practice relaxation techniques to help manage stress. • Don’t smoke.

To find your nearest Self Care pharmacy go to the pharmacy finder at www.psa.org.au For more information Related fact cards Cold Sores New Zealand Dermatological Dry Mouth Society Inc Oral Health website www.dermnetnz.org Pain Relievers Healthdirect Australia Relaxation Techniques Phone: 1800 022 222 Vitamins Website: www.healthinsite.gov.au Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) Your pharmacist can advise on CMI leaflets. National Prescribing Service (NPS) Medicines Information Phone: 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) Website: www.nps.org.au The Poisons Information Centre In case of poisoning phone 13 11 26 from anywhere in Australia.

Pharmacists are medicines experts. Ask a pharmacist for advice when choosing a medicine.

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