Table: Some Causes of Mouth Sores - Merck Manuals Consumer Version

Brought to you by

Health Topics & Chapters

Some Causes of Mouth Sores

Some Causes of Mouth Sores

Category	Examples
Bacterial infections	Gonorrhea Syphilis Trench mouth (acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis)
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 disease Bullous pemphigoid or pemphigus vulgaris Celiac disease Cyclic neutropenia Erythema multiforme Inflammatory bowel disease Iron deficiency Kawasaki disease Leukemia Platelet disorders Stevens-Johnson syndrome Thrombotic thrombocytopenia Vitamin B deficiency (pellagra) Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy)
Drugs	Antibiotics* Antiseizure drugs* Barbiturates* Chemotherapy drugs Gold Iodides* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)*
Physical irritation	Cheek-biting or lip-biting habits Dentures that fit poorly Jagged or broken teeth
Irritants and allergies	Acidic foods Allergic reaction to ingredients in toothpaste, mouthwash, candy, gum, dyes, or lipstick Aspirin, 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.