Mouth ulcer is the erosion of the tissues lining the mouth. Symptoms of mouth ulcers include:
- One or more sores in the mouth causing pain
- Irritation while eating salty, sour or spicy food
- Loss of appetite
- Swelling of skin near the sores
- Difficulty chewing food and brushing teeth due to tenderness

The common causes of mouth ulcers include poorly fitting dentures, hard food, defective filling, cuts in the inner side of the cheeks due to accidental biting, stress, anxiety, eating too hot or spicy food, hormonal changes, medicines like ibuprofen and toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate. Diseases like oral cancer, oral thrush and herpes simplex may also cause mouth ulcers.

Physical examination of the sores in the mouth is generally used to diagnose the mouth ulcer. Blood test and biopsy are recommended to diagnose the underlying cause of mouth ulcer in rare cases like recurrent ulcers or ulcers with bleeding.

The main aim of treatment is to relieve the signs and symptoms and include the treatment of the underlying cause, gentle cleaning of the mouth and teeth, topical pastes or medicines for application on the ulcers, and avoiding the cause such as consumption of spiciy and hot food.

Yes. If you do not get the mouth ulcer treated appropriately for a long time, it may lead to complications.
- Dental infections like tooth abscesses.
- Spread of contagious disorders to other people.
- Cellulitis (inflammation of subcutaneous tissue lining your mouth), occurring due to secondary bacterial infection of the sores due to mouth ulcer.