A mouth ulcer is also known as an Aphthous ulcer or a Canker sore. Aphthous ulcers are very common and can occur at any age. They are easy to recognise due to their painful nature and distinctive look. They are white spots surrounded by a red area. You can find them on the inside of the mouth, usually on the cheek, the gums, under the tongue or the inside of the lip. They are usually round and no bigger than a few millimetres in diameter but in some cases can be bigger than that. It may take up to two weeks for them to heal. The exact cause of the ulcers is not known yet but has been related to:
Aphthous ulcers are not contagious.
There is no cure for mouth ulcers, but you can try to prevent them or help them heal quicker.
Here are some tips to help you along the way:
Frequently asked questions:
- What can mouth ulcer under tongue be?
- Mouth ulcers under the tongue can be aphtous ulcers that are explained above or trauma injuries due to repeated scratching against a sharp edge of a broken filling. Please note that other types of mouth ulcers can have similar symptoms and appearances. Ulcers under or on the side of the tongue can be caused by mouth cancer. If the mouth ulcer has not healed within few weeks, see your dentist or doctor for advice.
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To know more about mouth cancer visit the Mouth Cancer Foundation Web Site