Mouth ulcer treatment
We examine a wide range of oral mucosa symptoms, and take time to explain the underlying cause behind them.
- If your mouth ulcer hasn’t healed in over 2 weeks, or it keeps coming back in the same spot
- If over-the-counter medicine hasn’t helped, and you have ongoing pain in your mouth
Talk to us any time.
A mouth ulcer is an inflammation of the oral mucosa that most people experience at some point. In most cases it heals naturally within 1-2 weeks, but if it keeps coming back, takes a long time to heal, or repeatedly appears in the same spot, another condition may be involved.
At 高田馬場歯科・矯正歯科, we don’t just treat the ulcer itself — after checking how the symptoms developed and their current state, we provide diagnosis and treatment as needed. Even if you think it’s “probably just a mouth ulcer,” please come in if it’s taking a long time to heal or you’re concerned about the symptoms.
Table of Contents
What sets our mouth ulcer care apart
We also treat mouth ulcers that linger or keep coming back
You might think, “is it okay to go to the dentist for just a mouth ulcer?” But changes in the oral mucosa are one of the areas dentistry can examine. In particular, a mouth ulcer that hasn’t healed in over 2 weeks, or that keeps coming back in the same spot, isn’t necessarily just from fatigue or poor nutrition.
At our clinic, we take a close look at your symptoms mainly through visual examination and palpation, and explain whether treatment is needed and whether another condition might be involved. We also refer patients to a specialty medical institution when necessary.
A wide range of care, including oral surgery
Some symptoms that look like a mouth ulcer can be a mucosal condition, a benign tumor, or an early lesion of oral cancer. We also provide oral surgery care, so if there’s a change you’re concerned about, we’ll make the right judgment call. If you’re anxious about whether “this is a mouth ulcer, or something else,” please come in first.
Types of mouth ulcer and how to tell them apart
“Mouth ulcer” covers a range of different types. The cause and the right approach differ depending on how it looks and how it progresses.
Aphthous ulcer
This is the most common type. It’s a round white or yellow ulcer with a red border, and is characteristic in appearance. It tends to hurt while eating or brushing your teeth, and often heals naturally within 1-2 weeks, though it has a tendency to recur.
Catarrhal stomatitis
This happens when a denture, orthodontic appliance, or a sharp edge of a tooth repeatedly irritates the mucosa. In many cases it improves once the source of irritation is removed.
Viral stomatitis
This is caused by the herpes virus and others, and can come with a fever. It’s characterized by clusters of small blisters, and tends to develop or reactivate when your immune system is weakened.
| Type | Appearance | Main cause | Course and rough timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aphthous ulcer | White-to-yellow round ulcer, red border | Fatigue, stress, poor nutrition, and more | Often heals naturally within 1-2 weeks |
| Catarrhal stomatitis | Redness, swelling, and erosion | Chronic irritation from a denture, orthodontic appliance, sharp tooth edge, and the like | Improves once the cause is removed |
| Viral stomatitis | Clusters of small blisters | Herpes virus and others | Can come with a fever. May reactivate repeatedly |
Even if it looks like a mouth ulcer, there’s still a chance it could be oral cancer, a precancerous lesion, or a condition such as pemphigus. We recommend seeing us early for a lesion that hasn’t changed in over 2 weeks, an abnormality in the mucosa with white or red discoloration, or a lesion that feels hard.
What makes a mouth ulcer more likely
A number of different factors can be behind a mouth ulcer that keeps coming back.
Fatigue and stress
Lack of sleep, overwork, and strong stress lower immune function and reduce the mucosa’s resistance. If you notice a pattern where it only appears when you’re tired, this factor may be involved.
An unbalanced diet
A shortage of B vitamins (especially B2, B6, and B12), iron, or zinc is known to affect the health of the oral mucosa. If you notice more mouth ulcers during periods when your diet tends to be unbalanced, reviewing your nutritional balance may help.
Physical irritation in the mouth
A sharp edge of a tooth, an ill-fitting denture, or an orthodontic appliance rubbing against the mucosa repeatedly makes it easy for a sore to form. If it always appears on the same side of your cheek, it’s worth checking for a source of irritation in your mouth.
A dry mouth
When the mouth stays dry because of mouth breathing or reduced saliva, the mucosa becomes more prone to damage. Dry mucosa is less resistant to outside irritation, creating an environment where mouth ulcers are more likely to form.
Signs that a mouth ulcer is worth seeing us about
If any of the following applies to you, we recommend having it checked at a dental clinic.
It hasn’t improved after 2 weeks or more
A typical aphthous ulcer usually heals within 1-2 weeks, so if it lasts longer than that, another condition needs to be considered.
It keeps coming back in the same spot
A mouth ulcer that keeps forming in the same spot can sometimes be a sign of an underlying oral mucosal condition.
It’s white, red, or feels hard
Conditions of the oral mucosa such as leukoplakia, erythroplakia, and oral cancer can sometimes be hard to tell apart from a mouth ulcer. Please don’t leave a lesion untreated if you notice a color change or firmness — talk to us.
There’s a lesion with almost no pain
An early lesion of oral cancer often doesn’t cause pain, which means it’s easy to miss, so caution is needed.
The pain is severe enough to stop you eating, or comes with a fever
Conditions such as viral stomatitis can come with whole-body symptoms. We recommend seeing us early.
Steps in examination and treatment
Medical history, visual exam, and palpation
We ask about when the symptoms started, how often they occur, your lifestyle, your medical history, and any medication you’re taking. We then check inside your mouth through visual examination and palpation, looking at the size, color, shape, and firmness of the lesion.
Explaining the diagnosis and treatment plan
Based on what we find, we explain the likely diagnosis and our treatment plan. If treatment is needed, we also explain the details, the cost, and anything you should be aware of.
Carrying out treatment
For an aphthous ulcer, we provide treatment suited to the symptoms, such as applying a steroid ointment, laser treatment, or anti-inflammatory treatment. When catarrhal stomatitis is caused by irritation in the mouth, we also identify and adjust the source of irritation. If we suspect an oral mucosal condition, we refer you to a specialty medical institution when necessary.
Follow-up
After treatment, we check how well things are improving. If there’s a tendency for it to recur, we also let you know about lifestyle changes that could help.
Things to watch for in daily life
Keep your diet balanced
Making a point of eating foods rich in B vitamins, iron, and zinc (such as liver, natto, dark leafy vegetables, and seafood) can help. Strongly flavored food (spicy or sour) and hot food or drink can easily damage the oral mucosa, so please avoid them as much as possible while you have a mouth ulcer.
Keep your mouth clean
Brushing well after meals to keep bacteria from multiplying can reduce irritation to the mucosa. Using a softer toothbrush, so you don’t damage the mucosa with the bristles, is one way to help.
More about preventive dentistry and cleaning
Get enough sleep and rest
Adequate sleep and rest are essential for maintaining immune function. If you find that you always get a mouth ulcer when you’re tired, improving your daily rhythm can help prevent it from coming back.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a mouth ulcer take to heal?
If it’s an aphthous ulcer, it usually heals naturally within about 1-2 weeks. However, if it hasn’t improved after 2 weeks or more, or keeps coming back in the same spot, another condition may be involved, so we recommend seeing us.
Do over-the-counter medicines work for a mouth ulcer?
For a mild aphthous ulcer, an over-the-counter steroid ointment or patch can be somewhat effective. That said, if it doesn’t improve even after continued use, or it keeps coming back, another cause may be involved, so please talk to us.
Can a dentist look at a mouth ulcer?
Yes, symptoms of the oral mucosa are within the scope of dental care. We especially recommend having a dentist check a mouth ulcer that lingers or keeps coming back, or any change in the mucosa that concerns you.
Could a mouth ulcer turn out to be oral cancer?
A typical mouth ulcer and oral cancer can sometimes look similar, making it hard to judge for yourself. Please talk to us early about a lesion that hasn’t healed after 2 weeks, shows white or red discoloration, or feels hard. We’ll refer you to a specialty medical institution when necessary.
Can children be treated for a mouth ulcer too?
Yes, we treat children too. For a child’s mouth ulcer as well, we explain and provide treatment suited to the symptoms. If you notice anything concerning, please feel free to come in.
