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Mouth ulcers concerns

Mouth ulcers are painful sores that appear in the mouth, usually on the soft tissue - cheeks, lips or tongue. They can be white, red, yellow or grey in colour and swollen.

Although they're uncomfortable, mouth ulcers are usually harmless and clear up by themselves within a week or two.

In many cases, the reason for mouth ulcers is unclear, but triggers are thought to include:

  • Accidentally biting the inside of your cheek or a sharp tooth
  • Poorly fitting dentures
  • Hard food
  • A defective filling
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Hormonal changes – some women develop mouth ulcers during their monthly period
  • Eating certain foods – such as chocolate, spicy foods, coffee, peanuts, almonds, strawberries, cheese, tomatoes and wheat flour
  • Toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate
  • Stopping smoking – when you first stop smoking, you may develop mouth ulcers
  • Viral infections – including the cold sore virus, chickenpox, and hand, foot and mouth disease
  • Medical conditions - including vitamin B12 or iron deficiency, Crohn's disease, coeliac disease, reactive arthritis, HIV, lupus, Behçet’s disease
  • Certain medications or medical treatments may also cause mouth ulcers

It's usually safe to treat mouth ulcers at home to help reduce swelling and ease any discomfort.

Self care

Tips for easing discomfort and aid healing…

  • Antimicrobial mouthwash or protective paste, available from your pharmacist
  • Use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth
  • Use a toothpaste that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulphate, as this may be irritating
  • Avoid hard, spicy, salty, acidic or hot food and drink until the ulcer heals
  • Use a straw to drink cool drinks
  • Avoid things that may be triggering your mouth ulcers

Mouth ulcers can sometimes be a possible symptom of a more serious problem such as infection or mouth cancer. It's therefore essential that you contact Sturminster Dental Care as soon as possible if you notice:

  • Your mouth ulcer has lasted three or more weeks
  • You keep getting mouth ulcers
  • Your mouth ulcer becomes more painful or red

Meet the team

Brian Thomason

Principal Dentist

GDC NO. 57874

Ian Mercer

Dentist

GDC NO. 66381

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Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Sturminster Dental Care. In fact, we have built much of our practice on these valued, trusted recommendations over the years. Read our reviews to hear why our patients are recommending us…

Patient reviews

611 Reviews

5.0

30th November 2024

A professional environment with efficient & pleasant staff

29th November 2024

This is the best dentist practice I've ever visited. Right from the open, modern look of reception, to the clean, well equipped treatment rooms, and professionalism and friendliness of the people throughout, it almost made having a filling a pleasant experience.

29th November 2024

This is a very professionally run service. Staff are courteous and helpful and inspire trust.

29th November 2024

Completely painless repair of a broken tooth so very happy

25th November 2024

All the staff are friendly polite and helpful. The dentist is excellent. The premises are exceptionally clean and clinical yet still welcoming.

23rd November 2024

All very good

23rd November 2024

Sturminster Dental Care is the best Dentist I have ever been to. I used to hate going to the Dentist before I came here and wouldn’t go anywhere else. Everybody is so friendly, highly skilled at their jobs and the practice is very clean and very efficiently run. Impossible to beat I would say. Thankyou

22nd November 2024

I had a loose filling. I was offered an appointment on the same day I rang to get my problem dealt with

22nd November 2024

Good atmosphere, relaxed and friendly team, everything explained very well

22nd November 2024

I am a very nervous patient and was put at my ease by the dentist. Any nervous patients are really looked after

21st November 2024

The professionalism of all persons working there was amazing. The hygienist was amazing and explained everything during the treatment. Love my dentist Olga she is very professional and very kind. Explains everything she was doing. All in all excellent service.

DA

Dan Alder

The practice is excellent; friendly, caring, efficient and well organised. Communication is very good with sufficient amount of detailed explanation of the treatment being undertaken and any condition identified around dental health and hygiene.

20th November 2024

Professional, caring staff. All he other answers I've given.

20th November 2024

The staff are helpful and friendly and very professional in the way they treat you. The surgery is comfortable and clean and in my experience appointments are on time.

20th November 2024

Overnight 3 tooth denture repair, was excellent.

20th November 2024

very professional staff, friendly and caring in their manner.

19th November 2024

Very professional I’d highly recommend this dentist practice & have done many times.

19th November 2024

I would recommend the practice, but we live about18 miles away.

19th November 2024

Very friendly and explained everything.

8th November 2024

All staff very welcoming and polite. Very efficient.

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