When Mouth Ulcers Hurt, Here’s What Helps
You know that moment when you bite your cheek while eating, and two days later, there’s a painful sore that makes every sip of coffee feel like torture? That’s a mouth ulcer, and if you’ve dealt with one, you know how disruptive it can be. The good news for you is that mouth sores are usually harmless and heal on their own. The better news is that we can help you feel more comfortable in the meantime. Read on to learn more.
What Is a Mouth Ulcer?
Mouth ulcers are small, shallow sores that pop up inside your mouth, usually on the inside of your cheek or lip, or on your tongue or gums. A mouth ulcer looks like a round spot with a yellowish or white center and a red border. They’re not contagious. In other words, you can’t catch an ulcer from anyone, and you won’t pass it along. It’s just your mouth’s way of reacting to irritation or stress.
Most ulcers are about the size of a pencil eraser, but even small ones can make eating, talking, and brushing your teeth uncomfortable. That sharp sting when acidic foods touch them? Yeah, we hear about that a lot.
Why Do Mouth Ulcers Happen?
Mouth ulcers don’t always have an obvious cause, but here are the usual suspects:
- Physical irritation often comes from accidentally biting your cheek, rough brushing, or something rubbing the wrong way. Stress and exhaustion play a bigger role than most people realize; ulcers show up during finals week or before major deadlines. Your body responds to stress in surprising ways.
- Nutritional gaps matter too. Low iron, vitamin B12, or folate can make your mouth more susceptible to developing ulcers. Sometimes it’s your toothpaste or mouthwash, which may contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), an irritant. Spicy or acidic foods, like that amazing salsa or fresh pineapple, might trigger an ulcer if you’re particularly sensitive. For women, mouth ulcers can be linked to hormonal fluctuations.
If you pay attention to when mouth ulcers appear, it can help you (and us) figure out what’s triggering them.
How to Feel Better While Your Mouth Heals
Most mouth ulcers heal in seven to ten days without treatment. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through them. Here’s what can help:
- Keep Your Mouth Clean — Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and be gentle around the sore. Skip alcohol-based mouthwashes, which will aggravate the sore and slow healing. Try rinsing with warm salt water a few times a day.
- Eat Strategically — Choose soft foods like yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs. Avoid acidic and salty foods, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, spicy foods, chips, and anything crunchy. Drink plenty of water, and use a straw if drinking from a glass is too painful. Bonus: staying well hydrated also helps your mouth heal.
- Find Relief at the Pharmacy — Over-the-counter oral gels with benzocaine numb the pain temporarily and create a protective barrier over the sore. Avoid anything with harsh ingredients that sting when you apply them.
- Stay Cool — Suck on ice chips or a popsicle for quick numbing relief. The cold reduces inflammation and feels soothing against the tender area.
When to Call Us
Most mouth ulcers aren’t serious, but sometimes you need professional help. Give us a call if your ulcer lasts longer than two weeks or if you’re getting new ulcers before old ones heal. Large sores (bigger than a dime) need to be investigated, as does severe pain that over-the-counter remedies don’t touch. If you’re running a fever, feeling sick, or getting ulcers more than a few times a year, we should take a closer look. We can prescribe stronger treatments, check for underlying issues, and make sure nothing else is going on.
Ready to feel better? Call our office located in Spring Hill, FL. Let’s figure out what’s going on and get you back to enjoying your coffee without wincing.
