My Son Keeps Getting Blisters on His Tongue Over and Over Again

Mouth ulcers

Oral fissure ulcers are painful sores that appear in the mouth. Although uncomfortable, they're unremarkably harmless and about clear up past themselves. They are common and tin can usually be managed at home, without seeing your dentist or GP. Visit your chemist starting time, unless your ulcer has lasted longer than iii weeks.

About mouth ulcers

Picture showing multiple mouth ulcers on the inner surface of a cheek

Mouth ulcers usually appear within the mouth on the:

cheeks
lips
tongue

They appear as circular or oval sores with:

a clearly-defined margin (border)
yellowish-greyness expanse in the middle
cerise inflammation around them

It's possible to accept more than than 1 mouth ulcer at a time and they may spread or grow.

Rima oris ulcers shouldn't be confused with cold sores. Core sores are pocket-size blisters that develop on the lips or around the rima oris. They oft begin with a tingling, itching or burning sensation effectually your mouth.

Rarely, the same virus (herpes simplex) that causes cold sores can crusade recurring pin head size ulcers inside the mouth occurring in the aforementioned place each fourth dimension.

When to see your pharmacist, dentist or GP

Mouth ulcers tin can be painful. They can make it uncomfortable to eat, drink or brush your teeth.

Information technology'due south usually rubber to treat mouth ulcers at home. You tin can buy several types of rima oris ulcer treatment from a chemist's.

Speak to your pharmacist almost the all-time handling for you or your child.

Come across your GP or dentist if:

your mouth ulcer has lasted iii weeks
you keep getting oral fissure ulcers
your mouth ulcer becomes more painful or red – this could be a sign of a bacterial infection, which may need treatment with antibiotics

Mouth ulcers are also a possible symptom of a viral infection that mainly affects immature children, called hand, foot and oral fissure disease.

Speak to your GP or call GP out of hours service if you're unsure.

How to treat oral cavity ulcers

Mouth ulcers don't usually need to be treated. They tend to clear up by themselves within a calendar week or 2.

Treatment can help to reduce swelling and ease any discomfort. This may help if you keep getting mouth ulcers or your mouth ulcer affects eating and drinking.

Self care

Things you tin can do to speed up healing include:

applying a protective paste recommended by your pharmacist
using a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth
avoiding hard, spicy, salty, acidic or hot food and drink until the ulcer heals
using a harbinger to drink cool drinks
avoiding things that may be triggering your mouth ulcers – see causes below

Medicines from your dentist or GP

If necessary, your GP or dentist may prescribe a course of corticosteroids. This is to help reduce pain and swelling, and speed up healing.

Corticosteroids are available on prescription as tablets, mouthwash, paste or spray. They are not suitable for children under 12.

Mouth cancer

In a few cases, a long-lasting mouth ulcer can be a sign of rima oris cancer. You lot should see your GP if the ulcer or swelling in your mouth lasts longer than three weeks, specially if information technology is painful or bleeding.

It is important to go annihilation that's causing business organization checked out. This is especially so if you lot are over 45 years of age and have a take a chance factor.

Take chances factors for mouth cancer include:

smoking or using products that contain tobacco
drinking alcohol – smokers who are also heavy drinkers have a much college take a chance compared to the population at big
infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) – the virus that causes genital warts

It's important to observe mouth cancer every bit early as possible. If oral fissure cancer is detected early, the chances of a consummate recovery are skillful.

Regular dental cheque-ups are the all-time way to detect the early signs.

Causes of mouth ulcers

In many cases, the reason for mouth ulcers is unclear. Near single mouth ulcers are caused by damage to the lining inside of the mouth. For case:

accidentally biting the inside of your cheek or a sharp tooth
poorly plumbing fixtures dentures
hard food
a lacking filling

It's non always articulate what causes mouth ulcers that proceed returning, but triggers are thought to include:

stress and anxiety
hormonal changes – some women develop oral cavity ulcers during their monthly period
eating sure foods – such as chocolate, spicy foods, coffee, peanuts, almonds, strawberries, cheese, tomatoes and wheat flour
stopping smoking – when you starting time stop smoking, yous may develop mouth ulcers

Your genes are also thought to have a function – effectually twoscore per cent of people who keep getting oral fissure ulcers study it runs in their family.

Medical conditions

Mouth ulcers can sometimes be acquired past certain medical conditions, such equally:

viral infections – including the common cold sore virus, chickenpox, and hand, foot and oral fissure disease
vitamin B12 or atomic number 26 deficiency
Crohn's illness – a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive arrangement
coeliac disease – a common digestive status where a person has an adverse reaction to gluten
reactive arthritis – a condition that causes inflammation in various places in the torso, normally as a reaction to an infection
weakened immune organization – for example, due to HIV or lupus
Behçet'south illness – a rare and poorly understood condition that also causes swelling of the claret vessels

Medications and treatments

Mouth ulcers tin can sometimes be caused by certain medications or treatments, such as:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – such as ibuprofen
nicorandil – a medication sometimes used to care for angina
beta-blockers – used to care for conditions such every bit angina, high blood pressure and abnormal center rhythms
a side upshot of chemotherapy or radiotherapy – this is known as mucositis

Preventing oral fissure ulcers

It may not exist possible to forbid mouth ulcers, because they're oftentimes acquired past things you can't control. This includes family history or a medical condition.

The following may assistance to reduce your risk of developing mouth ulcers:

fugitive sure foods – such as chocolate, spicy foods, coffee, peanuts, almonds, strawberries, cheese, tomatoes and wheat flour, if they crusade you lot to accept an ulcer
not chewing gum
brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled brush, which may reduce irritation in your oral fissure
reducing stress and feet – which may be a trigger for some people

Miranda Myrand