Mouth ulcers are very common; they affect at least 20% of the population and are more common in women than men.
Thankfully, they are not contagious, so sharing a glass or cutlery will not pass them from one person to another.
Three main types of mouth ulcers:
- Minor ulcers: these are the most common type of ulcer, accounting for 80% of cases. They are small, approx. 2–8 mm, and usually heal naturally within 10–14 days. They will not cause any scarring.
- Major Ulcers: are larger and deeper than minor ulcers and usually have raised or irregular borders. They are usually more than 1 cm in size, take longer to heal, and may leave a scar.
- Herpetiform Ulcers: These are multiple ulcers the size of a pinhead. The number can range from 5 to 100. Sometimes they can fuse to form larger, irregular-shaped sores, which are painful.
In most cases, mouth ulcers are not caused by infection; most minor single ulcers are caused by damage to the mouth, e.g., biting your cheek, incorrect tooth brushing, or a sharp tooth or filling.
Other causes of mouth ulcers may be stress, hormonal changes, vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency, Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, reactive arthritis, immunodeficiency, reaction to certain medications, herpes virus, anaemia, hand, foot, and mouth disease, and some patients find they get mouth ulcers when they give up smoking.
Most mouth ulcers will clear up in 10–14 days, but depending on the location, they may be painful. Using a soft toothbrush when brushing your teeth, using a bacteria-reducing mouthwash, avoiding hard foods and those that have been known to cause ulcers in the past, and trying to relieve your stress levels will help the ulcer heal quicker. If it is caused by a sharp tooth, then a visit to the dentist is a must. Sometimes there is a need for painkillers or a type of medicine called corticosteroids, which help reduce inflammation.
If your mouth ulcer lasts for more than a couple of weeks, it is best to have it checked out.