Mouth and lip ulcers
Mouth and lip ulcers are open, sore areas on the oral lining; most follow local injury or inflammation, but ulcers that persist or recur need diagnosis.
What are mouth and lip ulcers and why do they occur?
Mouth and lip ulcers are open, sore areas on the oral lining; most follow local injury or inflammation, but ulcers that persist or recur need diagnosis.
What happens when the oral lining develops an ulcer?
An ulcer is a break in the mucosa of the lip, cheek, tongue, palate, or gum. Causes include biting, sharp teeth, braces, burns, viral or inflammatory conditions, and medication effects.
What can you do to protect a mouth or lip ulcer?
Rinse gently with salt water, use a soft toothbrush, avoid spicy or acidic foods, and protect the area from a sharp tooth or appliance. Do not scrape it or apply caustic household substances.
When does an ulcer need dental assessment?
Arrange assessment if an ulcer does not heal, keeps returning, is unusually hard or painless, or comes with a neck lump, fever, trouble swallowing, or unexplained weight loss.
What should you ask about a persistent mouth ulcer?
Ask what its appearance and location suggest, whether a sharp tooth is causing trauma, and whether an examination, swab, blood test, or biopsy is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Could this have more than one cause?
Yes. A dentist uses the history, examination, and tests to distinguish common causes that can look alike.
What should I bring to the appointment?
Bring the product or appliance involved, a list of medicines, and notes about when the symptom or concern began and changed.
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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.