Ulcers and Sores

Mouth ulcers can occur in any area of the mouth, but usually form on the inner part of the lips and cheek or the side of the tongue. Most mouth ulcers are caused by an initial toothbrush or tooth bite injury and persist for about 2 weeks. Some ulcers seem to appear for no reason. Most of these ulcers will resolve without treatment, but all non-healing ulcers should be checked. This is because a tiny proportion of mouth ulcers may be something more sinister like a nasty viral infection or even cancer.

You may still have a low risk of oral cancer even if you don’t smoke tobacco or drugs or drink alcohol. Cancers can appear anywhere inside the mouth on gums, cheeks, lips, tongue or throat or outside on the lips or face. They may firstly appear like a regular ulcer or a sore.

Ulcers can also be caused by underlying medical conditions, toothpaste ingredients, reactions to medicines, nutritional deficiencies, certain gastro-intestinal diseases, some oral diseases, or necrotising gum diseases. Many recurring ulcers can be helped with treatment.

Please have any ulcer or sore that has persisted for more than 2 weeks checked immediately by a doctor or dentist just to be safe. Any patch that looks abnormal in colour (red, white, speckled), texture or raised should be checked.

Call Avenue Dental Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore, Bli Bli, North Lakes, Baringa, Sippy Downs, Tewantin, Murrumba Downs, Beerwah and Woolloongabba before 10am to be seen that day.