A sore mouth can happen for many reasons, and it can be uncomfortable or painful. It may affect the inside of your mouth, such as your gums, tongue, lips, or the roof and floor of your mouth. A sore mouth can be caused by a number of things, including infections, injuries, or conditions like stress.
Common Causes of a Sore Mouth
- Mouth Ulcers: Small, painful sores that often appear on the inside of the lips, cheeks, or gums. They can be caused by stress, injury, or certain foods.
- Cold Sores: Caused by the herpes simplex virus, cold sores are blisters that usually appear on or around the lips. They are contagious and can be triggered by stress, illness, or sunburn.
- Canker Sores: These are small, painful sores inside the mouth, often on the gums or the soft part of the roof of your mouth. The exact cause isn’t always clear, but they can be linked to stress, a weak immune system, or certain foods.
- Infections: Fungal infections like thrush, which is caused by an overgrowth of yeast, can cause a sore mouth. It’s more common in babies, older adults, or people with weakened immune systems. Bacterial infections can also lead to pain and discomfort.
- Gum Disease: Gingivitis or more severe gum disease can make the gums sore, swollen, and bleed easily. Poor oral hygiene is a common cause.
- Dentures or Braces: Ill-fitting dentures or braces can cause irritation or sores in the mouth.
- Dry Mouth: When there isn’t enough saliva in your mouth, it can feel dry, which may lead to soreness and discomfort. Dry mouth can be caused by medications, dehydration, or breathing through your mouth.
- Burns or Injuries: Accidents like biting your cheek, burning your mouth with hot food or drink, or brushing too hard can cause pain and soreness in the mouth.
- Other Conditions: Some health conditions, like vitamin deficiencies (especially vitamin B12 or iron), diabetes, or autoimmune diseases, can also cause mouth pain.
Treatment for a Sore Mouth
The treatment for a sore mouth depends on the cause. Here are some general tips for treating a sore mouth at home:
- Mouthwashes & Gargles: Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water (a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) several times a day can help reduce swelling and promote healing. Medicated gargles containing chlorhexidine (Corsodyl) from a pharmacy are very effective .
- Pain Relief: Over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can help relieve discomfort. There are also mouth gels or creams available that can numb the area temporarily and soothe the pain.
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of water and using sugar-free gum or mints can help keep your mouth moist, especially if you have dry mouth. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they can dry out the mouth.
- Avoid Irritants: If you have a sore mouth, avoid spicy, acidic, or very hot foods that can irritate the sores further. Also, try not to smoke, as this can make the pain worse.
- Good Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth gently with a soft toothbrush and use toothpaste that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate (which can irritate mouth sores). Floss daily to remove any food particles that may cause infection.
- Topical Treatments: For cold sores or ulcers, antiviral creams or ointments may help reduce the pain and speed up healing. These can be bought over the counter at pharmacies.
- Dental Check-Up: If your mouth sore is caused by braces, dentures, or other dental issues, it’s a good idea to see your dentist. They can adjust your braces or provide new dentures to prevent irritation.
When to See a Doctor
Most mouth sores heal on their own within a week or two. However, if your mouth is still sore after two weeks, if you develop a high fever, or if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing, you should see a doctor or dentist. They may need to run tests to find out the cause of the soreness and suggest further treatments.
In general, a sore mouth can usually be treated at home with simple remedies.
However, persistent or severe mouth pain should always be checked by a healthcare professional to rule out more serious problems.