Are mouth ulcers and cold sores the same?

No. Mouth sores are painful tiny circular lesions occurring inside the mouth cavity that often heal within one to two weeks. Mouth ulcers are not caused by an infection, and they are not contagious. Cold sores on the other hand are caused by an infection of the Herpes Simplex virus and are contagious. They are characterized by painful fluid-filled blisters that typically occur outside your mouth, near the lips.

Why do I get mouth ulcers a few days before my periods?

Due to certain hormonal changes that a woman undergoes in her monthly cycle, it is possible to get mouth ulcers a few days before the onset of menstruation. Usually, this isn’t a cause for concern. However, if the ulcers are severe or are accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever or swollen lymph nodes, one must seek medical care.

What foods cause mouth ulcers?

Eating foods that irritate the oral mucosa increases your risk of getting mouth ulcers. For example, citrus fruits like lemon, oranges, hot and spicy foods, oily foods, very hot beverages like soups or tea, etc.

What are some home remedies for mouth ulcers?

You may try some home remedies to seek relief from a mouth ulcer. Suck on ice chips. Drink cold beverages. Apply soothing agents on the ulcer, such as aloe vera gel and coconut oil. Rinse your mouth with mildly lukewarm saltwater.

Are mouth ulcers a cause for concern?

Mouth ulcers are common. They usually recover on their own within a span of one to two weeks. This is not a cause for concern. However, if you get recurrent mouth ulcers or ulcers that do not heal for a long time, it may be a sign of an underlying health condition. It is essential to seek prompt medical care in such scenarios.

Lack of which vitamin causes mouth ulcers?

Deficiencies like vitamin B12 and folate deficiency are the most common nutrition-related causes of mouth ulcers.

Does putting salt on mouth ulcers help?

Gargling and rinsing your mouth with salt water may help dry out the mouth ulcers. You can prepare salt water at home by mixing one spoon of common table salt in a glass of water. Take a sip of this water and gently swirl inside your mouth for 20-30 seconds and spit it out.

Mouth ulcers

Written By Dr. Sakshi SharmaBDS

Reviewed By Dr. Varun Gupta

MD Pharmacology, MBBS

Last updated on: 19 Mar 2025 | 04:56 PM (IST)

Also known as Oral Ulcers, Canker Sores, Mouth Sores, Aphthous Ulcers

Overview

Mouth ulcers are usually small, painful sores or lesions that develop on the soft lining of the mouth. Anyone can get mouth ulcers and they are usually harmless. There is no definite cause of these ulcers however, factors like emotional stress, lack of sleep, certain nutritional deficiencies, trauma due to hard brushing, accidental bites or some allergies and infections are known to trigger them.

Most mouth ulcers heal on their own or with over-the-counter (OTC) products within one to two weeks. But if they last longer than three weeks and are recurrent in nature or extremely painful, they may require medical attention.

Ulcers cannot be prevented, but certain lifestyle modifications may help relieve symptoms and reduce their frequency. Various OTC products, such as oral gels, mouthwashes, etc., are available to provide relief from them. Prescription medicines are required in case of recurrent and non-healing ulcers.

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Overview

Key Facts

Symptoms

Types

Causes

Risk factors

Diagnosis

Prevention

Specialist to visit

Treatment

Home-care

Complications

Alternatives therapies

Living with

FAQs

References