Sores in my mouth and gums
Mouth and gum sores can come from irritation, infection, inflammation, trauma, or another oral condition, so their appearance and duration matter.
What could be causing sores in my mouth and gums?
Mouth and gum sores can come from irritation, infection, inflammation, trauma, or another oral condition, so their appearance and duration matter.
What common triggers can lead to mouth and gum sores?
Common triggers include biting, a sharp tooth or filling, hot food, dentures, canker-type ulcers, viral infection, and inflammation. A sore can also occur beside a tooth with a dental infection, which requires different treatment.
What can I do now to soothe mouth and gum sores?
Rinse gently with plain water or a mild salt-water rinse, choose softer foods, and avoid tobacco, alcohol-containing rinses, and foods that sting. Do not scrape the lesion or place aspirin directly on it.
When should persistent mouth sores be checked by a dentist?
Seek dental care if a sore lasts beyond two weeks, returns often, enlarges, becomes firm, bleeds easily, or is accompanied by fever, neck swelling, difficulty opening the mouth, or difficulty swallowing. A spreading facial swelling is urgent.
What should I ask about the cause of this oral sore?
Ask what the lesion most resembles, whether a tooth or appliance is rubbing it, and whether an examination or swab is appropriate. Ask how long to monitor it and which changes should prompt earlier review.
Frequently asked questions
Can this problem have more than one cause?
Common triggers include biting, a sharp tooth or filling, hot food, dentures, canker-type ulcers, viral infection, and inflammation. A sore can also occur beside a tooth with a dental infection, which requires different treatment.
What should I do while arranging care?
Rinse gently with plain water or a mild salt-water rinse, choose softer foods, and avoid tobacco, alcohol-containing rinses, and foods that sting. Do not scrape the lesion or place aspirin directly on it.
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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.