Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of Mouth UlcersCauses of RecurrenceTreatment OptionsPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes of Mouth Ulcers
Causes of Recurrence
Treatment Options
Prevention
A mouth ulcer is a sore that develops in the soft lining of the gums,tongue, inner cheeks, lips, or palate. Younger children often get these as part of a viral or bacterial infection. Older children will sometimes have recurrent mouth ulcers, the cause of which can be difficult to pinpoint.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoHand foot and mouth disease.DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
This article explores the different causes of mouth sores in younger and older children. It also explains how mouth sores are commonly treated and prevented.
There are various factors a pediatrician will consider when trying to narrow the causes of a mouth ulcer in children. These include the child’s age, the appearance and duration of the sores, and any accompanying symptoms.
Younger children are susceptible to many viral and bacterial infections that cause mouth ulcers. Among them:
RecapCommon causes of mouth ulcers in younger children include herpes gingivostomatitis, hand foot and mouth disease, herpangina, gingivitis, and geographic tongue.
Recap
Common causes of mouth ulcers in younger children include herpes gingivostomatitis, hand foot and mouth disease, herpangina, gingivitis, and geographic tongue.
Recurrent Mouth Ulcers
By far the most common is recurrence isaphthous stomatitis(also known as canker sores). Food allergies and vitamin deficiencies are thought to increase the risk of canker sores in kids. In many cases, no cause will be found.
Another possible cause is the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), the virus associated with cold sores. While most people get cold sores on the lip, others may have them inside the lip. Recurrence is common with some people getting five to six outbreaks per year.
Recurrent mouth ulcers may also be the result of a systemic (whole-body) condition, such as:
RecapThe most common causes of recurrent mouth ulcers in children include aphthous ulcers (canker sores) and herpes simplex virus 1 (cold sores).
The most common causes of recurrent mouth ulcers in children include aphthous ulcers (canker sores) and herpes simplex virus 1 (cold sores).
Treatment
The treatment of mouth sores is mainly focused on relieving symptoms. This includes using over-the-counter painkillers with Tylenol (acetaminophen) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen).
There are also medications that can coat the ulcers and make them less painful. These include dental pastes and liquid antacids like Maalox or Milk of Magnesia.
Prescription steroids are also sometimes used. This includes Kenalog-40 (0.1% triamcinolone acetonide), a steroid drug that can be mixed with dental paste and applied to the ulcer several times daily.This treatment is typically only used when more conservative methods have failed. Talk to your child’s pediatrician if you’ve tried other methods and your child’s ulcers aren’t improving.
If your child has recurrent mouth ulcers, it often helps to keep a symptoms journal. This allows you to identify what may have triggered the outbreak. By identifying the possible triggers, you can avoid the foods or substances that place your child at risk.
If no trigger is found, it may be helpful to add an alcohol-free mouthwash to your child’s oral care routine. Alcohol-free mouthwash is less irritating than regular mouthwash but may still be helpful in limiting the growth of microbes.
An additive used in many toothpastes and mouthwashes, called sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), may trigger aphthous stomatitis in some.If your child is prone to recurrent mouth ulcers, choose an SLS-free toothpaste.
Good oral hygiene is an important way to prevent mouth ulcers, but make sure your child uses a gentle, soft toothbrush and waxed, tape dental floss. This can help prevent injury to the gums and the inside of the mouth. You may also want to consider visiting the dentist more often. Regular professional cleanings may be easier on your child’s teeth and gums.
Summary
Mouth ulcers are common in younger and older children for many reasons. In younger kids, viral and bacterial infections like herpes gingivostomatitis, hand foot and mouth disease, and gingivitis are common causes. Older children often have recurrent mouth ulcers, most often due to aphthous stomatitis (canker sores) or herpes simplex virus 1 (cold sores).
Certain systemic diseases can also cause recurrent mouth ulcers in kids. These include celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, vitamin deficiencies, and periodic fever syndrome.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Goldman RD.Acyclovir for herpetic gingivostomatitis in children.Can Fam Physician. 2016;62(5):403‐404.Chansaenroj J, Auphimai C, Puenpa J, et al.High prevalence of coxsackievirus A2 in children with herpangina in Thailand in 2015.Virusdisease. 2017;28(1):111‐114. doi:10.1007/s13337-017-0366-8American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Geographic tongue.Nayak NG, Modi P, Shah S, et al.Comparison of effectiveness of Hiora SG Gel with triamcinolone acetonide gel in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.Cureus. 2023;15(6). doi:10.7759/cureus.40403Altenburg A, El-Haj N, Micheli C, Puttkammer M, Abdel-Naser MB, Zouboulis CC.The treatment of chronic recurrent oral aphthous ulcers.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014;111(40):665–673. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2014.0665
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Goldman RD.Acyclovir for herpetic gingivostomatitis in children.Can Fam Physician. 2016;62(5):403‐404.Chansaenroj J, Auphimai C, Puenpa J, et al.High prevalence of coxsackievirus A2 in children with herpangina in Thailand in 2015.Virusdisease. 2017;28(1):111‐114. doi:10.1007/s13337-017-0366-8American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Geographic tongue.Nayak NG, Modi P, Shah S, et al.Comparison of effectiveness of Hiora SG Gel with triamcinolone acetonide gel in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.Cureus. 2023;15(6). doi:10.7759/cureus.40403Altenburg A, El-Haj N, Micheli C, Puttkammer M, Abdel-Naser MB, Zouboulis CC.The treatment of chronic recurrent oral aphthous ulcers.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014;111(40):665–673. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2014.0665
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Goldman RD.Acyclovir for herpetic gingivostomatitis in children.Can Fam Physician. 2016;62(5):403‐404.Chansaenroj J, Auphimai C, Puenpa J, et al.High prevalence of coxsackievirus A2 in children with herpangina in Thailand in 2015.Virusdisease. 2017;28(1):111‐114. doi:10.1007/s13337-017-0366-8American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Geographic tongue.Nayak NG, Modi P, Shah S, et al.Comparison of effectiveness of Hiora SG Gel with triamcinolone acetonide gel in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.Cureus. 2023;15(6). doi:10.7759/cureus.40403Altenburg A, El-Haj N, Micheli C, Puttkammer M, Abdel-Naser MB, Zouboulis CC.The treatment of chronic recurrent oral aphthous ulcers.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014;111(40):665–673. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2014.0665
Goldman RD.Acyclovir for herpetic gingivostomatitis in children.Can Fam Physician. 2016;62(5):403‐404.
Chansaenroj J, Auphimai C, Puenpa J, et al.High prevalence of coxsackievirus A2 in children with herpangina in Thailand in 2015.Virusdisease. 2017;28(1):111‐114. doi:10.1007/s13337-017-0366-8
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Geographic tongue.
Nayak NG, Modi P, Shah S, et al.Comparison of effectiveness of Hiora SG Gel with triamcinolone acetonide gel in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.Cureus. 2023;15(6). doi:10.7759/cureus.40403
Altenburg A, El-Haj N, Micheli C, Puttkammer M, Abdel-Naser MB, Zouboulis CC.The treatment of chronic recurrent oral aphthous ulcers.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014;111(40):665–673. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2014.0665
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