Mouth Sores Near You

Mouth ulcers are quite common. Known as mouth sores, canker sores, or aphthous ulcers, when you’ve got them, you certainly know about it. Most often, they will heal in a week or two, by themselves. If you have an ulcer that doesn’t heal within three weeks, there may be a bigger underlying problem. Our trusted dentist in Vancouver is dedicated to providing dental care tailored to meet your individual needs and preferences. See our dentist to have it checked out.

Symptoms

Ulcers are typically small but can also be quite large sometimes. Causing a dent on the surface, they are often grey, yellow or white in colour. Mouth ulcers can hurt intensely at times. Eating, drinking and brushing your teeth can make them even more painful.

See your GP if ulcers are causing you extreme pain, as there may be an underlying problem. Likewise, if you have recurring ulcers, it may indicate another issue, such as a nutrient deficiency. If your ulcers do not heal after three weeks, we also recommend seeing your GP.

Causes

We all know how painful it can be to accidentally bite your tongue or the inside of your cheek. This can quickly turn into a mouth ulcer or sore. Other ways you might develop an ulcer are bumping the inside of your mouth with your toothbrush, burning your mouth with a hot drink, wearing ill-fitting dentures or the rough edge of a tooth. The cold sore or herpes simplex virus, a food intolerance, or even an allergy can also cause mouth ulcers. Ulcers can occur with certain lifestyle or health factors, like if you are taking certain medications, you have a nutrient deficiency or have had radiotherapy. Other factors can include:

  • During times of high stress
    With hormonal changes in females
    When you are quitting smoking

Get prepared

When you book one of our dental practices for a problem with your teeth or mouth, you want answers and advice as soon as possible. That’s understandable. It’s useful to think ahead about what your dentist will need to know to diagnose and treat you.

Generally, your dentists will ask you about your medical history and then thoroughly examine your mouth, teeth, gums, jaw, tongue, throat, sinuses, ears, nose and neck. You may also need an x-ray, depending on what your dentist suspects might be the cause of your problem.

Your dentist may ask you some questions, such as:

  • Do you have any pain?
  • Where do you feel pain?
  • How bad is the pain?
  • How do you think you got the mouth sore or ulcer?
  • What is your dental routine at home?
  • Have you made any changes recently?

FAQ

What is the treatment for mouth ulcers?

There are some medications that can help when you have mouth ulcers. These may help to ease the pain, protect the area and reduce inflammation. Antiseptic mouthwashes, protective pastes, local analgesics and antiviral creams are all possible options. Talk to your dentist, GP or pharmacist about what’s best for you.

Can I treat mouth ulcers at home?

Mouth ulcers generally heal on their own within a week or two. There are some things you can do to ease the pain while they heal – and maybe even speed up recovery. Make sure you use a soft toothbrush and avoid food that may make the pain worse, such as spicy and acidic food. Take a mild pain relief medication.

What nutrient deficiencies cause mouth ulcers?

It’s thought that some nutrient deficiencies can cause mouth ulcers. These can include a diet lacking in iron, folic acid or vitamin B12. Talk to your dentist, GP or pharmacist if you have any concerns. They will recommend the best course of action.

Why do I keep getting mouth ulcers?

Certain medical conditions can cause mouth ulcers. These can include viral infections such as the cold sore, herpes simplex virus, chicken pox and hand, foot and mouth disease. Nutrient deficiencies, including iron, folic acid and vitamin B12, may also cause ulcers. Other health and lifestyle factors such as extra stress, hormonal changes, quitting smoking or a diet high in spicy or acidic foods may cause mouth ulcers to develop. Talk to your dentist or GP if you have any concerns.

Can mouth ulcers be prevented?

Sometimes, mouth ulcers just happen, and you might not know why. Most of us have experienced them. You may be able to reduce your risk of ulcers developing by fixing any damaged teeth, rough surfaces or ill-fitting dentures. Maintain a nutritious, balanced diet and take good care of your oral health. That means a combination of at-home dental care and building a great relationship with your dentist.

We recommend daily healthy habits and regular visits to the dentist. For optimum oral health:

  • Practice good oral hygiene habits at home, including brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day
  • Book hygiene visits with an oral hygienist or oral health therapist twice each year
  • Book routine exams and x-ray visits with your dentist once each year