Halloween may be just around the corner, but the last thing we want is to see patients suffering with monstrous mouth ulcers.
About mouth ulcers
Ulcers are small sores, which develop inside the mouth; they usually heal without any need for treatment, but they can be very painful, especially if you accidentally catch them with your toothbrush or when you’re eating something with sharp edges.
In most cases, ulcers develop when the soft tissue inside the cheek or lip is damaged; this is most commonly caused by accidentally biting down on the tissue when you are eating. There is also evidence to suggest that you’re more likely to get ulcers when you are tired, stressed or run down.
Dealing with mouth ulcers
In many cases, mouth ulcers don’t cause any problems and there’s no need for treatment; however, if you have ulcers and they are very painful, you can buy over the counter gels to ease pain and speed up the recovery process. When you have an ulcer, it’s a good idea to avoid very acidic, sharp flavours and to take extra care when you are eating crisps, crusty bread or hard sweets. We also recommend brushing very gently to avoid touching the ulcer.
If you find that you’re developing ulcers on a regular basis, it’s advisable to see your dentist or your GP.
If you have ulcers or sores that heal slowly, we advise you to make an appointment. Slow-healing ulcers can be a sign of oral cancer and although it is very unlikely that this is the case, it is always best to get potential signs checked out.
