Dr Maxwell Adeyemi

A MOUTH ulcer is a sore that appears anywhere inside your mouth. These sores are usually red, yellow or white, and you might have one or several. Mouth ulcers can occur on: gums, tongue, roof of mouth (palate), inner cheeks or inner lips.

These sores are often painful and can make eating, drinking and speaking uncomfortable. Mouth ulcers can be alarming. However, they are not always a sexually transmitted infection and you cannot get or spread them from kissing or sharing food and drinks.

Aside from any pain and discomfort, mouth ulcers are usually harmless and go away on their own in a week or two. But some types of mouth sores could point to underlying health conditions like viruses, autoimmune diseases or gastrointestinal issues.

There are many different types of mouth sores and lesions:

Canker sores (aphthous ulcers). These are the most common type of mouth ulcer. It is not exactly clear what causes them or why some people get them more than others do. Causes include minor trauma (like biting your cheek), acidic foods and even stress. Canker sores are usually white or yellow with red around the edges.

Oral lichen planus. This condition can cause itchy rashes and lacelike, white sores inside your mouth. Oral lichen planus is an immune system response and most commonly affects women and people age 50 or older.

Leukoplakia. This condition causes white or gray patches inside your mouth. It develops because of excess cell growth. Chronic irritation from things like smoking or chewing tobacco can cause it. But sometimes it happens for no apparent reason.

Erythroplakia. Erythroplakia is another symptom of smoking or chewing tobacco. People with erythroplakia have red patches that commonly appear behind their lower front teeth or under their tongue. Unlike leukoplakia lesions, erythroplakia patches are usually precancerous or cancerous.

Oral thrush. An overgrowth of yeast called Candida albicans causes this fungal infection inside your mouth. It commonly happens after antibiotic treatment or when your immune system is not as strong as it usually is. Oral thrush causes red and creamy white mouth sores and patches.

Mouth cancer. Oral cancer lesions can show up as red or white mouth sores or ulcers. These sores won't heal on their own. If you have a mouth ulcer that hasn't gone away after three weeks, see your healthcare provider for further investigations.

Symptoms of a mouth ulcer

Mouth ulcers are usually easy to spot. They appear as sores on your gums, tongue, inner cheeks, inner lips or roof of your mouth.

Mouth sores are typically: red around the edges, or white, yellow or gray in the centre. You may only develop one ulcer, or there might be more. Other symptoms could include: swelling around the ulcers, increased soreness when brushing your teeth, pain that worsens when eating spicy, salty or sour foods.

Causes of mouth ulcers

Mouth ulcers can be caused by the following:

* Minor tissue injury from dental work, such as having a cavity fi