I have a sore in my mouth
A mouth sore may be caused by trauma, an ulcer, infection, irritation, or another oral condition; protect the area and arrange an examination if it.
The short answer
A mouth sore may be caused by trauma, an ulcer, infection, irritation, or another oral condition; protect the area and arrange an examination if it persists or has warning signs.
Where can a mouth sore occur inside the mouth?
A sore is a painful or irritated area on the lining of the mouth, including the cheek, lip, tongue, palate, or gum. Common triggers include biting, a sharp tooth, a denture edge, burns, ulcers, viral or fungal infection, and inflammatory conditions.
How can you care for and protect a mouth sore?
Rinse gently with water or salt water, choose soft foods, avoid tobacco and irritating foods, and check for a sharp tooth or appliance edge. Do not scrape, burn, or apply household chemicals to the lesion, and record its location and changes.
When does a mouth sore need dental or medical care?
See a dentist or doctor if the sore persists, returns often, enlarges, bleeds, feels hard, or is associated with a neck lump, numbness, fever, or difficulty swallowing. Trouble breathing or rapidly increasing swelling requires urgent care.
Can you keep wearing a denture over a mouth sore?
Can I keep using a denture over a sore? Remove it for rest when appropriate and have its fit or edge checked if it rubs the area. Does every sore mean cancer? No, many have minor causes, but a persistent or changing lesion needs examination.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep using a denture?
The answer depends on the clinical finding and the material or tissue involved.
What should I do if this keeps happening?
Arrange an examination so the underlying cause can be identified and treated.
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Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.