Mouth sores are usually harmless. But sometimes, they can signal a severe oral health problem. Get them checked by your dentist.

People of all ages will experience a mouth sore at some point. Appearing as small blisters on the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, or the floor or roof of the mouth, these sores may or may not be painful. The sores usually don’t present a serious health problem and heal within days. But in other instances, they could indicate a serious health condition, which is why any lesion is best checked by a dentist for further diagnosis.

Treatment depends on the exact cause of the mouth lesion. And there are many potential causes of a mouth sore.

Six possible causes of mouth sores

There are as many possible causes of mouth sores as there are types of them. Irritation from braces or dentures, tobacco, stress, and the Herpes simplex virus are some of the reasons that can lead sores to develop. Cancer treatments have also been shown to cause sores. In addition to noticeable lesions and blisters, the sores may cause bleeding, tingling, and difficulty swallowing. They may or may not be painful.

If a sore doesn’t heal within two weeks or is especially painful, a dentist must investigate the cause further. Most likely, the problematic sore is due to these conditions:

Canker sore. A canker sore is a white, yellow, or gray lesion rimmed by a red border. They have no known cause but can be triggered by certain foods, stress, and a weakened immune system. It’s estimated one out of every ten people will experience a canker sore in their lifetime. These mouth ulcers can be painful but usually resolve in two weeks.

Cold sore. Another common cause of mouth lesions, cold sores are linked to the herpes simplex virus. Between 50 to 80 percent of adults have been exposed to the virus. The virus may lie dormant for years but can cause occasional outbreaks. Herpes is contagious, so those experiencing an outbreak should not kiss or share food utensils.

Thrush. A yeast infection in the mouth, thrush (candidiasis) appears as white lesions on the tongue, cheeks, or gums. It’s common among denture wearers and those with compromised immune systems.

Leukoplakia. Smokers are more likely to develop leukoplakia, or thick, white patches on the soft tissues inside the mouth. Leukoplakia is not considered serious but could be a precursor to cancer. A biopsy of the lesion is recommended. 

Erythroplakia. Like leukoplakia, erythroplakia is linked to excessive tobacco or alcohol use and can be precancerous. The lesion appears as a red patch, most often on the floor of the mouth.

Oral cancer. Red or white ulcers signal a growing oral cancer. They may be painless at first but can spread quickly. Most develop due to tobacco use. Oral cancer can be prevented if leukoplakia and erythroplakia are caught and managed. If diagnosed early, oral cancer has a good cure rate.

How to keep your mouth clear of sores

Since most mouth sores resolve on their own, treatment involves reducing the pain with topical gels and anti-inflammatories. Rinsing with warm salt water also helps. Don’t attempt to squeeze the sore, and avoid any irritating substances, such as spicy or acidic foods. 

If the sore doesn’t heal within two weeks, see your dentist for a biopsy for cancerous cells. The earlier oral cancer is diagnosed, the better your chances of beating the disease.

But you can keep your mouth clear of sores with some basic oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing daily and never missing a dental checkup.

Lifestyle changes can have an impact, too. Eat healthy and reduce your stress level. And if you’re a smoker, the best thing you can do to prevent mouth sores is to quit smoking!

Bothered by mouth sores? See an Espire dentist

Schedule an appointment at Espire’s Oklahoma City, OK, location today! Our highly trained dentists can check your mouth for sores and start treatment. Don’t live near our Oklahoma City office? Find one of our other locations near you.

Oklahoma City, OK
12448 St Andrews Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73120