Ear, nose and throat
Medicines for Recurrent mouth ulcers
Painful sores inside the mouth that keep coming back — common and usually harmless, though frequent or persistent ulcers are worth checking.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Recurrent mouth ulcers?
Mouth ulcers (aphthous ulcers) are painful, round or oval sores that develop inside the mouth — on the inside of the lips or cheeks, the tongue, or the floor of the mouth. Some people get them repeatedly (recurrent aphthous ulcers), with new ones appearing as old ones heal.
- How it is treated: Most mouth ulcers need no medical treatment and heal on their own, so care focuses on easing discomfort and, for recurrent ulcers, identifying and addressing any triggers or underlying factors.
- Self-care: Avoiding trigger foods, using a soft toothbrush, managing stress, fixing any sharp tooth or ill-fitting brace, ensuring good nutrition, and using soothing over-the-counter treatments all help.
- When to seek help: See a dentist or GP if mouth ulcers are frequent, severe, or unusually large, or if you have other symptoms (such as tummy problems, tiredness or a rash).
What it is
Mouth ulcers (aphthous ulcers) are painful, round or oval sores that develop inside the mouth — on the inside of the lips or cheeks, the tongue, or the floor of the mouth. Some people get them repeatedly (recurrent aphthous ulcers), with new ones appearing as old ones heal. They are usually white, yellow or grey in the centre with a red border, and can make eating, drinking and talking uncomfortable. Most are harmless and heal on their own within a week or two without scarring. Common triggers and contributors include minor injury (such as biting the cheek, or from braces or a sharp tooth), stress, tiredness, hormonal changes, certain foods, and stopping smoking; sometimes they run in families. Less commonly, recurrent or severe mouth ulcers can be linked to underlying factors such as nutritional deficiencies (iron, vitamin B12 or folate), or conditions affecting the gut or immune system (such as coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or Behçet's disease) — which is why frequent or persistent ulcers are worth assessing.
How it is treated
Most mouth ulcers need no medical treatment and heal on their own, so care focuses on easing discomfort and, for recurrent ulcers, identifying and addressing any triggers or underlying factors. Soothing measures help: avoiding foods that trigger soreness (spicy, acidic, salty, crunchy), using a soft toothbrush, and over-the-counter treatments such as protective pastes, gels, mouthwashes or lozenges that ease pain and protect the ulcer. Reducing known triggers (managing stress, fixing a sharp tooth or ill-fitting brace) helps prevent recurrence. For frequent, severe or persistent ulcers, a doctor or dentist may check for underlying causes — for example blood tests for deficiencies, or considering conditions affecting the gut or immune system — and stronger treatments (such as prescribed mouthwashes or steroid preparations) may be used. Importantly, any single ulcer that does not heal within three weeks should always be checked, as, rarely, a non-healing mouth ulcer can be a sign of mouth cancer. The reassuring message is that recurrent mouth ulcers are common and usually harmless, but frequent, severe or non-healing ulcers should be assessed.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Recurrent mouth ulcers
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Avoiding trigger foods, using a soft toothbrush, managing stress, fixing any sharp tooth or ill-fitting brace, ensuring good nutrition, and using soothing over-the-counter treatments all help. Any ulcer lasting more than three weeks should be checked.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a dentist or GP if mouth ulcers are frequent, severe, or unusually large, or if you have other symptoms (such as tummy problems, tiredness or a rash). Importantly, see a doctor about any mouth ulcer that lasts more than three weeks, as a non-healing ulcer needs assessment.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Recurrent mouth ulcers: frequently asked questions
Why do I keep getting mouth ulcers?
Recurrent mouth ulcers are common and often triggered by minor injury, stress, tiredness, hormonal changes or certain foods, and can run in families. Frequent or severe ones can occasionally relate to nutritional deficiencies or conditions of the gut or immune system, so are worth checking.
When should a mouth ulcer be checked?
Any mouth ulcer that lasts more than three weeks should always be checked, as, rarely, a non-healing ulcer can be a sign of mouth cancer. Also see a doctor for frequent, severe, or unusually large ulcers, or ulcers with other symptoms.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Mouth ulcers
- British Society for Oral Medicine guidance
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