Finding a sore in your mouth can be unsettling and uncomfortable. Mouth ulcers, also known as oral ulcers or canker sores, are quite common, and many people wonder, “Why Do I Have Sores In My Mouth?”. These sores are essentially a loss or erosion of the delicate tissue lining the inside of your mouth, called the mucous membrane. While often harmless and quick to heal, understanding the reasons behind them and when to seek help is important for your oral health.
Understanding Mouth Ulcers
What are Mouth Ulcers?
A mouth ulcer is characterized by a break in the mucous membrane, the soft tissue inside your mouth. This erosion can occur for various reasons, leading to pain and discomfort. It’s important to recognize that mouth ulcers are a widespread issue, affecting people of all ages. They can appear anywhere inside the mouth, including the cheeks, lips, tongue, gums, and palate.
Mouth ulcer inside lower lip
Common Causes of Mouth Sores
There’s a wide range of factors that can contribute to the development of mouth sores. Often, the most straightforward cause is physical injury. This could be as simple as accidentally biting your cheek or irritating your gums with a toothbrush. Other frequent culprits include:
- Accidental Injury: Biting the inside of your cheek or lip is a very common cause. Even a slip of the toothbrush can cause trauma to the delicate tissues.
- Irritation: Sharp or misaligned teeth, dentures that don’t fit properly, or even braces can constantly rub against the mouth lining, leading to ulcers. Burns from hot food can also damage the tissue.
- Aphthous Ulcers (Canker Sores): These are recurring ulcers and a very common reason for mouth sores. We’ll delve deeper into these shortly.
- Infections: Viral infections like the herpes simplex virus (which causes cold sores) can manifest as ulcers inside the mouth. Bacterial and fungal infections can also be responsible.
- Medications: Certain medications can have side effects that include mouth ulcers.
- Skin Conditions: Some skin rashes, like lichen planus, can also affect the mouth and cause ulcers.
- Chemical Irritation: Strong antiseptics found in some mouthwashes can sometimes irritate the oral mucosa and lead to sores.
- Underlying Medical Conditions: Autoimmune diseases, vitamin deficiencies (like Vitamin B, folate, or iron), and gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease or coeliac disease can all be linked to mouth ulcers. In rare cases, a mouth ulcer that doesn’t heal can be a sign of mouth cancer.
Aphthous Ulcers (Canker Sores) Explained
Aphthous ulcers, commonly known as canker sores, are a frequent type of recurring mouth ulcer. It’s estimated that around 20% of the population experiences these at some point in their lives. While the exact cause isn’t always clear, for a small percentage of people, these ulcers may be linked to deficiencies in Vitamin B, folate, or iron.
These ulcers typically appear on the softer linings of the mouth, such as the inner lips and cheeks, the sides and underside of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, the soft palate, and around the tonsils. They are usually small, less than 5mm in diameter, but you might experience multiple sores at once, sometimes clustered together. Aphthous ulcers generally heal on their own within 10 to 14 days, but they are known to recur, sometimes with varying frequency.
When Mouth Sores Are a Concern
While most mouth ulcers are harmless and resolve on their own, it’s crucial to know when to seek professional medical advice. Pay attention to the following situations:
- Ulcers that don’t heal within two weeks: If a mouth sore persists for longer than 14 days, it’s important to get it checked by a dentist or doctor.
- Frequently recurring ulcers: If you experience mouth ulcers very often, it could indicate an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
- Risk factors for mouth cancer: If you use tobacco products or drink alcohol regularly and have a persistent mouth ulcer, it’s particularly important to seek medical advice promptly. Both tobacco and alcohol consumption are significant risk factors for mouth cancer.
- Unusual symptoms: While most mouth ulcers are painful, a mouth ulcer that is not sore can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition like mouth cancer. Any unusual or painless ulcer should be evaluated.
Symptoms of Mouth Ulcers
The symptoms you experience with a mouth ulcer can vary depending on the cause, but common signs include:
- Painful sores: One or more painful sores will be present on the mucous membrane inside your mouth.
- Redness and swelling: The tissue around the sore is often inflamed, appearing red and swollen.
- Difficulty with oral activities: Chewing and brushing your teeth might become uncomfortable due to tenderness.
- Sensitivity to certain foods: Spicy, salty, or sour foods can irritate the sores and increase pain.
- Discomfort from dental appliances: Dentures, orthodontic aligners, or mouth splints can rub against the ulcers and cause irritation.
- Lack of pain in some cases: As mentioned earlier, in rare cases, particularly with mouth cancer, an ulcer may not be painful.
Seeking Help and Treatment for Mouth Sores
When to See a Doctor or Dentist for Mouth Sores
If mouth ulcers are disrupting your daily life, making it difficult to eat or speak, or if they haven’t healed after two weeks, it’s time to consult a dentist or an Oral Medicine Specialist. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you are concerned about your mouth sores.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
To determine the cause of your mouth ulcers, your dentist or doctor may:
- Review your medical history and lifestyle: This helps identify potential contributing factors.
- Perform a physical examination of your mouth: To assess the ulcers and surrounding tissues.
- Recommend blood tests: If they suspect an underlying deficiency (like iron, folate, or vitamin B) or an inflammatory condition, blood tests may be necessary.
- Perform a biopsy: If the cause of the ulcers is unclear or if they don’t respond to typical treatments, a biopsy (taking a small tissue sample for examination) may be required to rule out more serious conditions.
In most cases, mouth ulcers heal naturally. Treatment primarily focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications. Here are some common approaches:
- Dietary adjustments: Avoid spicy, salty, and sour foods that can irritate the ulcers.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids to keep your mouth moist and aid healing.
- Oral hygiene: Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent infection.
- Antiseptic gels: Applying antiseptic gels directly to the ulcers can help protect them and promote healing.
- Salt water rinse: Rinsing your mouth with warm, slightly salted water several times a day can help reduce inflammation and keep the area clean.
- Medicated mouthwash: Using an alcohol-free medicated mouthwash, preferably containing chlorhexidine gluconate, twice daily can be beneficial.
- Topical steroids: In some cases, your dentist or specialist may prescribe a topical steroid mouthwash or ointment to reduce inflammation.
- Immunosuppressant medication: For severe cases, particularly those related to autoimmune conditions, immunosuppressant medication might be prescribed by a specialist.
Preventing Mouth Ulcers
While not all mouth ulcers are preventable, you can take steps to reduce your risk:
- Gentle toothbrushing: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently to avoid trauma to your gums and inner cheeks.
- Balanced diet: Eating a nutritious and well-balanced diet ensures you get the necessary vitamins and minerals for overall health, potentially reducing the risk of deficiency-related ulcers.
- Manage underlying conditions: If you have any underlying medical conditions, ensure they are well-managed to minimize their impact on your oral health.
Mouth ulcers are a common annoyance, and understanding “why do I have sores in my mouth?” is the first step to managing them effectively. Remember, most mouth ulcers are not serious and will heal on their own. However, if you have persistent, painful, or unusual sores, don’t hesitate to seek advice from your dentist or doctor to ensure your oral health is in good hands.
