Mouth sores and inflammation (stomatitis) vary in appearance and size and can affect any part of the mouth, inside and outside. People may have swelling and redness of the lining of the mouth or individual, painful ulcers. An ulcer is a hole that forms in the lining of the mouth when the top layer of cells breaks down. Many ulcers appear red, but some are white because of dead cells and food debris inside the center portion. Some sores are raised and filled with fluid, similar to blisters (in which case they are called vesicles or bullae, depending on size). Rarely, the mouth looks normal even though people have symptoms of mouth inflammation (burning mouth syndrome—see Lip and Tongue Disorders: Burning Mouth Syndrome).

Noncancerous (benign) ulcers are usually painful until healing is well under way. The pain makes eating difficult, which sometimes leads to dehydration and undernutrition. Some sores go away but recur.

Causes

There are many types and causes of mouth sores. Mouth sores may be caused by an infection, a bodywide (systemic) disease, a physical or chemical irritant, or an allergic reaction (see Symptoms of Oral and Dental Disorders: Some Causes of Mouth Sores). Often the cause is unknown. In general, because the normal flow of saliva helps protect the lining of the mouth, any condition that decreases saliva production makes mouth sores more likely (see Symptoms of Oral and Dental Disorders: Dry Mouth).

The most common specific causes of mouth sores are

• Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (canker sores—see Symptoms of Oral and Dental Disorders: Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis)
• Viral infections (particularly herpes simplex and herpes zoster)
• Other infections (caused by fungi or bacteria)
• Injury or irritating food or chemicals
• Tobacco use
• Drugs (particularly chemotherapy drugs) and radiation therapy
• Systemic disorders

Viral infections: Viruses are the most common infectious causes of mouth sores. Cold sores of the lip and, less commonly, ulcers on the palate caused by the herpes simplex virus (see Viral Infections: Herpes Simplex Virus Infections) are perhaps the most well known. However, many other viruses can cause mouth sores. Herpes zoster, the virus responsible for chickenpox as well as the painful skin disorder called shingles (see Viral Infections: Shingles), can cause multiple sores to form on one side of the mouth. These sores are the result of a flare-up of the virus, which, just like herpes simplex virus, never leaves the body. Occasionally, the mouth remains painful for months or years or even permanently after the sores have healed.

Other infections: A bacterial infection can lead to sores and swelling in the mouth. Infections may be caused by an overgrowth of organisms normally present in the mouth or by newly introduced organisms, such as the bacteria that cause syphilis or gonorrhea. Bacterial infections from teeth or gums can spread to form a pus-filled pocket of infection (abscess) or cause widespread inflammation (cellulitis).

Syphilis may produce a red, painless sore (chancre) that develops in the mouth or on the lips during the early stage of infection (see Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Syphilis). The sore usually heals after several weeks. About 4 to 10 weeks later, a white area (mucous patch) may form on the lip or inside the mouth if the syphilis has not been treated. Both the chancre and the mucous patch are highly contagious, and kissing may spread the disease during these stages. In late-stage syphilis, a hole (gumma) may appear in the palate or tongue. The disease is not contagious at this stage.

The yeast Candida albicans is a normal resident of the mouth. However, it can overgrow in people who have taken antibiotics or corticosteroids or who have a weak immune system, such as people with AIDS. Candida can cause whitish, cheese-like patches that destroy the top layer of the lining of the mouth when wiped off. Sometimes only flat, red areas appear.

Injury or irritation: Any type of damage or injury to the mouth, for instance, when the inside of the cheek is accidentally bitten or scraped by jagged teeth or poor-fitting dentures, can cause blisters (vesicles or bullae) or ulcers to form in the mouth. Typically, the surface of a blister breaks down quickly (ruptures), forming an ulcer.

Many foods and chemicals can be irritating or trigger a type of allergic reaction, causing mouth sores. Acidic foods, cinnamon flavoring, or astringents may be particularly irritating, as can certain ingredients in common substances such as toothpaste, mouthwash, candy, and gum.

Tobacco: Tobacco use can cause mouth sores. The sores most likely result from exposure to the irritants, toxins, and carcinogens found naturally in tobacco products but may also result from the drying effects on the lining of the mouth, the high temperatures in the mouth, changes to the acid-base balance of the mouth, or decreased resistance to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.

Drugs and radiation therapy: The most common drugs causing mouth sores include certain cancer chemotherapy drugs and drugs containing goldSome Trade Names
See Auranofin
(sometimes used to treat rheumatoid arthritis). Radiation therapy is also a common cause of mouth sores. Rarely, people may develop mouth sores after taking antibiotics.

Systemic disorders: Many diseases affect the mouth along with other parts of the body. Behçet's syndrome, an inflammatory disease affecting many organs, including the eyes, genitals, skin, joints, blood vessels, brain, and gastrointestinal tract (see Vasculitic Disorders: Behçet Syndrome), can cause recurring, painful mouth sores. Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a type of allergic reaction, causes skin blisters and mouth sores. Some people with inflammatory bowel disease also develop mouth sores. People with severe celiac sprue, which is caused by an intolerance to gluten (a component of wheat and some other grains), often develop mouth sores. Lichen planus, a skin disease, can rarely cause mouth sores, although usually these sores are not as uncomfortable as those on the skin (see Psoriasis and Scaling Disorders: Lichen Planus). Pemphigus vulgaris (see Blistering Diseases: Pemphigus Vulgaris) and bullous pemphigoid (see see Blistering Diseases: Bullous Pemphigoid), both skin diseases, can also cause blisters to form in the mouth.

Evaluation

Not all mouth sores require immediate evaluation by a doctor. The following information can help people decide whether a doctor's evaluation is needed and help them know what to expect during the evaluation.

Warning signs: In people with mouth sores, certain symptoms and characteristics are cause for concern for systemic disorders. They include

• Fever
• Blisters on the skin
• Inflammation of the eye
• Any sores in people with a weakened immune system (such as people with HIV infection)

When to see a doctor: People who have warning signs should see a doctor right away. Those who have no warning signs but have a lot of pain, feel generally ill, and/or have trouble eating should see a doctor within several days. All people with a sore that lasts for 10 days or more must be examined by a dentist or doctor to ensure that it is not cancerous or precancerous (see Mouth Growths: Precancerous Changes in the Mouth).

What the doctor does: Doctors first ask questions about the person's symptoms and medical history. Doctors ask people about their consumption of or exposure to food, drugs, and other substances (such as tobacco, chemicals, metals, fumes, or dust). Doctors need to know about all currently known conditions that might cause mouth sores (such as herpes simplex, Behçet's syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease), conditions that are risk factors for mouth sores (such as a weakened immune system, cancer, or HIV infection), and the person's sexual history.

Doctors then do a physical examination. The mouth is inspected, noting the location and nature of any sores. Doctors then do a general examination to look for signs of systemic disorders that could affect the mouth. The skin, eyes, and genitals are examined for any sores, blisters, or rashes.

What doctors find during the history and physical examination often suggests a cause of the mouth sores and the tests that may need to be done (see Symptoms of Oral and Dental Disorders: Some Causes of Mouth Sores).

PrintOpen table in new window
Some Causes of Mouth Sores Category Examples Bacterial infections Trench mouth (acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis) Gonorrhea Syphilis Fungal infections Candidal infections (most common) Viral infections Chickenpox (varicella zoster) Herpes simplex infection (primary or secondary) Shingles (reactivation of varicella zoster ) Others (such as infection by coxsackievirus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, or HIV, as well as genital warts, influenza, and measles) Systemic disorders Behçet's syndrome Celiac sprue Cyclic neutropenia Erythema multiforme Inflammatory bowel disease Iron deficiency Kawasaki disease Leukemia Pemphigoid or pemphigus vulgaris Platelet disorders Stevens-Johnson syndrome Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura Vitamin B deficiency (pellagra) Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) Drugs Antibiotics* Anticonvulsants* Barbiturates* Chemotherapy drugs GoldSome Trade Names See Auranofin Iodides* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)* Physical irritation Biting the mouth Dentures that fit poorly Jagged teeth Irritants and allergies Acidic foods Allergic reaction to ingredients in toothpaste, mouthwash, candy, gum, dyes, or lipstick. AspirinSome Trade Names BAYER , when applied to tissues inside the mouth Dental appliances containing nickel or palladium Occupational exposure to dyes, heavy metals, acid fumes, or metal or mineral dust Tobacco (chewing and/or smoking) Other Burning mouth syndrome Canker sores (recurrent aphthous stomatitis) Lichen planus Radiation therapy to the head and neck *Rare causes of mouth sores.

Testing: The need for tests depends on what doctors find during the history and physical examination, particularly whether warning signs are present. People with a brief episode of mouth sores and no symptoms or risk factors for a systemic illness probably require no testing. In people with several episodes of mouth sores, viral and bacterial cultures and various blood tests are done. A biopsy may be done for persistent sores that do not have an obvious cause.

Systematically eliminating foods from the diet can be useful, as can changing brands of toothpaste, chewing gum, or mouthwash.

Treatment

Doctors treat the cause, if known. For example, people are given antibiotics for bacterial infections. Avoiding any substances or drugs that are causing the mouth sores is recommended. Frequent, gentle toothbrushing with a soft brush and salt-water rinses may help keep sores from becoming infected.

Pain can be helped by avoiding acidic or highly salty foods and any other substances that are irritating.

Topical treatments: Topical treatments are substances applied directly to an affected part of the body. Topical treatments for mouth sores include

• Anesthetics
• Protective coatings
• Corticosteroids
• Burning with a laser or chemicals

An anesthetic such as dyclonineSome Trade Names
SUCRETS
or lidocaineSome Trade Names
XYLOCAINE
may be used as a mouth rinse. However, because these mouth rinses numb the mouth and throat and thus may make swallowing difficult, children using them should be watched to ensure that they do not choke on their food. LidocaineSome Trade Names
XYLOCAINE
in a thicker preparation (viscous lidocaineSome Trade Names
XYLOCAINE
) can also be swabbed directly on the mouth sore.

Protective coatings containing sucralfateSome Trade Names
CARAFATE
and aluminum-magnesium antacids can be soothing when applied as a rinse. Many doctors add other ingredients such as lidocaineSome Trade Names
XYLOCAINE
and/or diphenhydramineSome Trade Names
BENADRYL
(an antihistamine). AmlexanoxSome Trade Names
APHTHASOL
paste is another alternative.

Once doctors are sure that the sore is not caused by an infection, they may prescribe a corticosteroid rinse or a corticosteroid gel to be applied to each sore.

Some mouth sores can be treated with a low-powered laser, which relieves pain immediately and often prevents sores from returning. Chemically burning the sore with a small stick coated with silver nitrate may similarly relieve pain but is not as effective as a laser.

Key Points

• A mouth sore that lasts more than 10 days should be evaluated by a doctor or dentist.
• Isolated mouth sores in people with no other symptoms or risk factors for a systemic illness are usually caused by a viral infection or recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
• Symptoms outside the mouth, skin rash, or both suggest a more immediate need for a diagnosis.

Last full review/revision August 2012 by David F. Murchison, DDS, MMS