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Authored by Star Health

What are the causes of recurring mouth ulcers?

A mouth ulcer, also called a canker sore, is a small, round, painful sore that develops on the inner lining of the mouth. These ulcers keep coming back inside the mouth if you don’t maintain proper oral hygiene. Mouth ulcers can be caused by multiple factors, such as minor injury and hormonal stress. Apart from this, they can also be caused by minor trauma, stress, or allergies. Mouth ulcers are not dangerous to life and can resolve within 1-2 weeks on their own. While in some cases they may require treatment.


Where Can I Get Recurring Mouth Ulcers?


Recurring mouth ulcers can appear on:



  • Roof of mouth (palate).

  • Inner cheeks.

  • Inner lips.


However, mouth sores can make you uncomfortable and are painful, which makes it difficult to eat, drink or speak.


What are the Causes of Recurring Mouth Ulcers?


The following are some of the common causes of mouth ulcers:



  1. Poor oral hygiene: It is one of the most common causes of recurring mouth ulcers. If you do not brush your teeth properly, it can cause mouth sores.

  2. Medications: In some situations, if you take medications to treat certain health complications, it can also cause mouth ulcers as a side effect.

  3. Infections: Mouth ulcers can be caused by low immunity or hormonal changes in the body due to anxiety or stress.

  4. Tobacco use: Mouth ulcers can be caused by tobacco consumption, as it exposes the mouth to harmful chemicals and toxins present in it.


To Sum Up


Recurring mouth ulcers can occur for a number of reasons, such as allergic reaction to certain bacteria, hormonal changes, wearing braces or retainers for a longer period of time, lack of sleep, using harsh toothpaste and more. Therefore, to manage recurring mouth ulcers, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene, eat a balanced diet, and reduce stress or anxiety.

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