02/24/2025
🩹 What Are Mouth Sores? Causes, Symptoms & Remedies
Ever had a painful sore in your mouth that makes eating or talking uncomfortable? Mouth sores are common and can be caused by various factors. Let’s break down what they are, why they happen, and how to treat them!
🧐 What Are Mouth Sores?
Mouth sores are small lesions that can appear on the tongue, lips, gums, inner cheeks, or roof of the mouth. They can be painful, but most heal on their own within a week or two.
🔍 Common Types of Mouth Sores:
🔴 Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers) – Small, round sores with a white or yellow center and a red border. Not contagious but can be triggered by stress, acidic foods, or injuries.
🦠 Cold Sores (Fever Blisters) – Caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). These are contagious and appear as clusters of fluid-filled blisters around the lips or inside the mouth.
🦷 Irritation Sores – Caused by sharp teeth, braces, dentures, or biting your cheek accidentally.
👄 Oral Thrush – A fungal infection that appears as white patches inside the mouth, often seen in people with weakened immune systems.
🚨 Serious Mouth Sores – Sores that last longer than 2 weeks or are accompanied by fever, swelling, or difficulty swallowing should be checked by a doctor.
🩺 Causes of Mouth Sores
✅ Stress and lack of sleep
✅ Vitamin deficiencies (B12, iron, folic acid)
✅ Spicy, acidic, or hot foods
✅ Biting the inside of the cheek or tongue
✅ Allergies or infections
✅ Autoimmune conditions (e.g., lupus, Crohn’s disease)
💊 How to Treat & Prevent Mouth Sores
✔️ Rinse with warm salt water to soothe pain and reduce bacteria.
✔️ Use over-the-counter gels or numbing agents for relief.
✔️ Avoid spicy, acidic, or rough foods that can irritate the sore.
✔️ Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent infections.
✔️ Take vitamin supplements if deficiencies are the cause.
⏳ When to See a Doctor
If your mouth sore lasts more than 2 weeks, keeps returning, or is extremely painful, it’s best to see a healthcare provider.
💬 Have you ever had a painful mouth sore? What helped you heal? Share your experience in the comments!