Mouth ulcer causes, symptoms and triggers

Causes

Mouth ulcers are a common condition. They are painful, round yellow or white sores that can appear as a single ulcer or as a cluster on the inside of the lips, cheeks, gums or on the tongue.

The majority of mouth ulcers are defined as 'minor' and most are caused by trauma to the mouth, for example biting the inside of the cheek or from excessive brushing. Some people suffer from recurrent mouth ulcers. The causes of these are often unknown, but can be triggered by certain factors such as trauma to the mouth, stress and anxiety, hormonal changes or eating and drinking certain foods.

Most mouth ulcers can heal without medication, but they often last for 10 to 14 days and can be painful.

Symptoms

If you have a painful sore inside your mouth check to see if it's an ulcer by looking for these symptoms:

Mouth ulcers begin as a small bump or red spot inside the mouth.
Sometimes a tingling or burning sensation signals a developing mouth ulcer.
They progress rapidly to clearly defined spots in the mouth.
They are small, but can be painful and can cause irritation.
Mouth ulcers are typically small, however, occasionally one can be very large (2 or more inches) and can take as long as 6 weeks to fully heal.

Triggers

Lower your stress

Fatigue and emotional stress are commonly associated with the appearance of mouth ulcers. Make sure you get plenty of rest and relaxation.

Chew carefully

Chew carefully to avoid small mouth injuries. If you bite the inside of the cheek or tongue, it can make you more prone to mouth ulcers.

Watch what you eat

Watch what you eat. Once a mouth ulcer starts avoid hot, spicy and acidic foods and drinks. These can irritate the mouth ulcer and make it more painful.

Treat it

If you can’t avoid a mouth ulcer, you can still treat it. Orajel™ Mouth Gel provides temporary pain relief for mouth ulcers and from wearing dentures. Always read the instructions carefully when using this product.

Ultimate Soother

ORAJEL™ MOUTH GEL

Orajel™ Mouth Gel provides effective relief from mouthulcer and denture pain. The benzocaine formula provides pain relief right at the source of your pain. The gel form gives you control over the product during application for targeted relief.

Orajel™ Mouth Gel contains 10% w/w benzocaine, a powerful local anaesthetic that works by temporarily blocking the pathway of pain signals along the nerves and relieves pain by numbing the area.

10% w/w Benzocaine. Always read the leaflet

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