There are many potential causes of mouth sores. When these sores appear, they are often painful and can make everyday activities, such as brushing the teeth or eating hot food, more difficult.

Most of the time, mild irritation causes a sore to appear. Avoiding the irritant can help a person prevent mouth sores in the future.

However, sometimes sores form due to underlying health conditions. As some mouth sores can result from transmissible infections and may require treatment, anyone who is concerned about chronic or long-lasting sores should speak to a doctor.

In this article, learn about the possible causes of mouth sores as well as the treatment options.

Mouth sores often occur as a result of irritation. Many things can irritate the mouth and lead to sores, including:

  • poorly fitting dentures
  • a sharp or broken tooth
  • braces or other devices, such as retainers
  • burning the mouth on hot food or beverages
  • tobacco products

In other instances, mouth sores may develop due to:

Medical conditions and diseases that cause mouth sores include:

  • Candidiasis: People may also refer to this as oral thrush. It is a fungal infection that causes white and red patches to appear in the mouth.
  • Herpes simplex: This virus causes cold sores on the mouth and can also produce genital sores.
  • Lichen planus: Lichen planus is a chronic condition that causes an itchy, inflammatory rash in the mouth or on the skin.
  • Canker sores: These sores have a red, flat edge and white or greyish patches surrounding them.
  • Gingivostomatitis: Gingivostomatitis is a common infection that is particularly prevalent in children. The sores are similar to canker sores, but they occur alongside symptoms that are similar to those of a cold or flu.
  • Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD): HFMD causes small, painful, inflamed patches to appear on these parts of the body. It is most common in children.
  • Leukoplakia: Leukoplakia causes white-grey patches to appear nearly anywhere in the mouth.
  • Autoimmune diseases: A range of autoimmune conditions may cause mouth sores to form.
  • Erythroplakia: This refers to a red patch that appears on the inside of the mouth. It is often benign but can be cancerous or precancerous.
  • Oral cancer: People may also refer to this form of cancer as mouth cancer. It can cause sores and lesions in the mouth.

In most instances, a person can determine the cause of their mouth sore themselves. For example, a person who has had a canker sore before will recognize another one if it appears.

A person who bites their cheek will know that the sore came from this incident. People with diagnosed conditions, such as herpes of the mouth, may recognize their symptoms and have a plan of action to address the flare.

If a person has recurrent or unexplained mouth sores, a doctor may be able to identify the cause of the sores by carrying out a visual check. They may also order some tests, such as swabs and blood tests.

If a doctor suspects that a sore is the result of severe illness, they are likely to perform a biopsy of the area to test for the presence of cancer or other health issues.

Often, mouth sores will heal without treatment. Sores from minor injuries or canker sores will typically clear within 2 weeks.

While their sores are healing, people can try:

  • gargling with salt water
  • excluding hot or spicy foods from their diet
  • abstaining from using tobacco products
  • avoiding alcohol
  • avoiding eating citrus fruits or salty foods, as they may cause sores to sting
  • using benzydamine or chlorhexidine mouthwash
  • taking oral pain relievers
  • applying baking soda and water to the sore

If home remedies are not enough or the sore does not heal on its own, a person may wish to talk with their doctor about further treatment options.

A doctor can prescribe stronger anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications and ointments. If an underlying condition is causing the mouth sores, a doctor will develop a treatment plan for that as well.

The American Cancer Society notes that some steps that a person can take to help prevent mouth sores include:

  • washing the hands before touching the lips or mouth
  • avoiding hot, acidic, and spicy foods and beverages
  • chewing carefully and slowly
  • practicing regular dental hygiene
  • managing stress
  • avoiding smoking and other tobacco use
  • limiting or avoiding alcohol
  • drinking plenty of water
  • speaking with a dentist if a dental device is causing irritation
  • using barrier methods during sex
  • using lip balms with SPF to avoid sun damage

A person should speak with a healthcare professional if they experience:

  • sores that get worse or do not get better over time
  • signs of an infection, such as a fever
  • large and painful sores
  • sores that develop after starting medication or cancer treatment

Mouth sores can be bothersome and painful. There are many causes of mouth sores, but often the cause is irritation.

Typically, mouth sores will heal on their own with little need for treatment. In other instances, a person may need to take medication to treat the underlying cause of the sores.

If a person has frequent or long-lasting mouth sores or the pain is severe, they may need to speak with a doctor.