Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesCancerous Mouth SoresHome RemediesOTC TreatmentsSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Cancerous Mouth Sores
Home Remedies
OTC Treatments
Seeking Medical Care
Mouth soresform in places that include your inner cheeks,gums,tongue, lips, and the bottom orroof of your mouth. They can appear aslesions, bumps,blisters,rashes, orwhite or colored patchesthat may be painful.
Mouth sores are related to a wide range of factors that include infection, dental hygiene, ororal cancer. Other mouth sores like aBehcet ulcerororal lichen planusare symptoms of chronic diseases. Some mouth sores, likeaphthous ulcers (canker sores), can occur without a known cause.
Determining the type of mouth sore you have can help you decide on the right course of treatment. Some mouth sores heal on their own; other types require special care.
This article includes pictures of mouth sores and ways to identify the types. It also explains how to treat mouth sores and when to consult your healthcare provider and/or a dentist.
urbazon / Getty Images
Types of Mouth Sores
With so many types of mouth sores, it can be difficult to determine whether a bump or lesion is a serious condition. The following pictures and descriptions provide a basis for identifying some of the most common types of mouth sores. Contact your primary care provider and/or a dentist for a more definitive diagnosis and treatment advice.
Canker Sore (Aphthous Ulcer)
batuhan toker/ Getty Images
A canker sore, also known as anaphthousulcer or recurrentaphthous stomatitis, can appear on the softer parts of your mouth such as your tongue, lips, soft palate, or cheeks. It typically forms as a small pitted lesion that can be painful. A canker sore is often small and round or oval with a yellow-gray color. It typically forms without a known cause.
The three main forms of canker sores are:
Oral Lichen Planus
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonen dermnetnz.org 2023
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.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonen dermnetnz.org 2023
Behcet’s Ulcer
A Behcet’s ulcer is a painful canker sore that appears on themucous membranesof your mouth. It is a symptom of Behcet’s disease, an autoimmune disorder. This type of mouth sore is round or oval with reddish borders. The lesion can be shallow or deep, appearing alone or in a cluster of multiple lesions.
Infectious Sores (Herpes)
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr. Mashihul Hossainwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr. Mashihul Hossainwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
The most common symptoms of infectious sores include the following:
Dental Hygiene-Related
Poor dental hygiene can leave your mouth vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections. These germs can causegingivostomatitis, a gum and mouth infection that leads to small, painful blister-like sores, gum swelling, and bleeding.Halitosisis also common.
Recurrent Erythema Multiforme
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikato dermnetnz.org 2023
Recurrent erythema multiforme is a bull’s-eye lesion. It appears as a round sore with three concentric color zones: a darker center with a blister, a middle raised paler pink circle around the center, and a bright red outermost ring. It typically occurs after a herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoHand foot and mouth disease.DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
COVID-19-Related Sores
HIV-Related Sores
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr Richard Ashton dermnetnz.org 2023
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr Richard Ashton dermnetnz.org 2023
Thehuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causesAIDS, can cause canker sores on the inside of your cheeks and lips. They may also include red sores on the roof of your mouth and outside of your lips. White or yellowish patches andwartscan also occur.
Leukoplakia
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Professor Deborah Greenspan dermnetnz.org 2023
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Professor Deborah Greenspan dermnetnz.org 2023
Leukoplakiacauses thickened white patches on the mucous membranes of your mouth. The patches are slightly raised and with a hard surface that can’t be scraped away. Leukoplakia patches are usually white or gray and do not cause pain. They are common in smokers.
Thrush (Oral Candidiasis)
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Thrush (oralcandidiasis)is an oral yeast infection that causes white or red raised patches inside your mouth or at the back of your throat. It can produce a white coating in your mouth that resembles cottage cheese. Thrush may also involve oral redness and burning.
Syphilis-Related Sores
Syphilisis a bacterial infection that starts with mouth sores known aschancresduring its early stages. These typically appear on your lips or gums. They can also develop at the tip of your tongue or the back of your mouth. Chancres start as red patches that increase into larger open sores that are painful and change in color to red, gray, or yellow.
Vaping and Smoking-Related Sores
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
Thenicotineinvolved invapingand smoking restricts blood flow to your gums and mucous membranes. These types of mouth sores include abrasions,gingivitis(gum disease), leukoplakia, erosion of the palate, andsquamous cell carcinoma(flat, reddish, or brownish patches in your skin).
Sexually-Transmitted vs. Nonsexually Transmitted Mouth Sores
Cancerous mouth sores often have many of the same characteristics as non-cancerous types. It is impossible to identify cancerous mouth sores without abiopsy(removing a sample tissue for analysis in a lab). Contact a healthcare provider if you notice signs of cancerous mouth sores or mouth sores that do not improve within two weeks of eruption.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023
Squamous cell carcinoma in your mouth starts as flat, thin cells that line your mouth and throat. Early signs of this type of oral cancer appear as a sore, lump, or thickening on your lips or inside your mouth. The sore may look like a white or red patch on your gums, tongue, or the lining of your mouth.
Lymphoma
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Lymphomais classified asHodgkin’s lymphomaandnon-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While it primarily affects your lymph nodes, lymphoma can appear as an infection in your mouth, causing mouth sores on yourtonsilsand tongue and bleeding gums.
Mucosal Melanoma
Mucosal melanoma can affect the mucous membranes in your mouth. Mouth sores can include bleeding lumps, discolored lesions, andulcers(open sores).
What Is Oral Cancer?
Home Remedies for Mouth Sores
Treatment isn’t usually necessary for most mouth sores unless the symptoms are unbearable. Most mouth sores will clear on their own within about two weeks, but if they do not, you should see your oral healthcare provider.
Depending on the cause of your mouth sore, you may be able to use home remedies to treat the problem naturally. There is evidence that the following treatments may help some types of mouth sores, but before starting home remedies, please check with your oral healthcare provider. Home remedies include:
How to Get Rid of Canker Sores
Over-the-Counter Mouth Sore Treatments
Some mouth sores may improve with the use of over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. For best results, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and only use products intended for your mouth. You can find the following options in grocery stores, pharmacies, and online retailers:
Types of Mouth Infections and How to Treat Them
When to See a Healthcare Provider
While some types of mouth sores are minor and can quickly resolve on their own, contact a healthcare provider if any of the following characteristics apply to your condition:
Recurrent Mouth Ulcers and Canker Sores in Children
A Word From VerywellMouth sores can be quite common. Thankfully, most of them are self-limiting (heal on their own) and will prove harmless. However, it is always prudent to see your oral healthcare provider with mouth-sore concerns—EDMUND KHOO, DDS, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Mouth sores can be quite common. Thankfully, most of them are self-limiting (heal on their own) and will prove harmless. However, it is always prudent to see your oral healthcare provider with mouth-sore concerns—EDMUND KHOO, DDS, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Mouth sores can be quite common. Thankfully, most of them are self-limiting (heal on their own) and will prove harmless. However, it is always prudent to see your oral healthcare provider with mouth-sore concerns
—EDMUND KHOO, DDS, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
It’s difficult to known when a mouth sore indicates a mild or more serious problem. Many types of mouth sores have features that can look alike when viewed in the darkness of your mouth. Other factors like medications and your diet can impact the way a mouth sore looks in your mouth versus the norm.
No matter its cause, a painful mouth sore can affect how you eat and speak. Some can even change the way you look, adding to the stress and anxiety.
If you are unsure about the cause of a mouth sore or have a mouth sore that hasn’t changed in two weeks, contact your primary care provider and/or your dentist. Getting the correct diagnosis as early as possible can help you get the best results when treating any mouth sore.
29 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.MedlinePlus.Mouth sores.Mount Sinai.Mouth sores.The American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM).Canker sores.American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.Oral lichen planus.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Bechet’s syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Genital herpes.Cedars-Sinai.Herpes simplex virus (HSV) mouth infection.Huang CW, Hsieh CH, Lin MR, Huang YC.Clinical features of gingivostomatitis due to primary infection of herpes simplex virus in children.BMC Infect Dis.2020;20(1):782. doi:10.1186/s12879-020-05509-2Mount Sinai.Gingivostomatitis.Trayes KP, Love G, Studdiford JS.Erythema Multiforme: Recognition and Management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(2):82–88.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).HFMD symptoms and complications.Sarasati A, Agustina D, Surboyo MDC.The Oral Lesion in the COVID-19 Patient: Is It True Oral Manifestation or Not?Infect Drug Resist. 2023 Jul 4;16:4357-4385. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S411615National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.HIV/AIDS and oral health.MedlinePlus.Leukoplakia.American Academy of Family Physicians.Thrush.Patil S, Rao RS, Majumdar B, Anil S.Clinical appearance of oralCandidainfection and therapeutic strategies.Front Microbiol. 2015;6:1391. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.01391American Dental Association.Sexually transmitted diseases and your mouth.Alade O, Folayan MO, Adeniyi A, et al.Differences in oral lesions associated with tobacco smoking, e-cigarette use and covid-19 infection among adolescents and young people in Nigeria.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(17):10509. doi:10.3390/ijerph191710509American Heart Association.Need another reason to vape? Your oral health is at risk.American Cancer Fund.Oral cancer.National Cancer Institute.Lip and oral cavity cancer treatment (Adult) (PDQ)-patient version.Penn Medicine.Lymphoma of the head and neck.Penn Medicine.Mucosal melanoma.Informed Health.org.Canker sores (mouth ulcers): what can you do if you have a canker sore?Huynh NCN, Everts V, Leethanakul C, Pavasant P, Ampornaramveth RS.Rinsing with saline promotes human gingival fibroblast wound healingin vitro.PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0159843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159843Madeswaran S, Jayachandran S.Sodium bicarbonate: a review and its uses in dentistry.Indian J Dent Res. 2018;29(5):672-677. doi:10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_30_17El-Haddad SA, Asiri FY, Al-Qahtani HH, Al-Ghmlas AS.Efficacy of honey in comparison to topical corticosteroid for treatment of recurrent minor aphthous ulceration: a randomized, blind, controlled, parallel, double-center clinical trial.Quintessence Int. 2014 Sep;45(8):691-701. doi:10.3290/j.qi.a32241.Kumarswamy A.Multimodal management of dental pain with focus on alternative medicine: a novel herbal dental gel.Contemp Clin Dent. 2016;7(2):131-139. doi:10.4103/0976-237X.183066Rafieian N, Abdolsamadi H, Moghadamnia A, et al.Efficacy of alum for treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.Caspian J Intern Med. 2016;7(3):201-205.
29 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.MedlinePlus.Mouth sores.Mount Sinai.Mouth sores.The American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM).Canker sores.American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.Oral lichen planus.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Bechet’s syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Genital herpes.Cedars-Sinai.Herpes simplex virus (HSV) mouth infection.Huang CW, Hsieh CH, Lin MR, Huang YC.Clinical features of gingivostomatitis due to primary infection of herpes simplex virus in children.BMC Infect Dis.2020;20(1):782. doi:10.1186/s12879-020-05509-2Mount Sinai.Gingivostomatitis.Trayes KP, Love G, Studdiford JS.Erythema Multiforme: Recognition and Management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(2):82–88.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).HFMD symptoms and complications.Sarasati A, Agustina D, Surboyo MDC.The Oral Lesion in the COVID-19 Patient: Is It True Oral Manifestation or Not?Infect Drug Resist. 2023 Jul 4;16:4357-4385. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S411615National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.HIV/AIDS and oral health.MedlinePlus.Leukoplakia.American Academy of Family Physicians.Thrush.Patil S, Rao RS, Majumdar B, Anil S.Clinical appearance of oralCandidainfection and therapeutic strategies.Front Microbiol. 2015;6:1391. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.01391American Dental Association.Sexually transmitted diseases and your mouth.Alade O, Folayan MO, Adeniyi A, et al.Differences in oral lesions associated with tobacco smoking, e-cigarette use and covid-19 infection among adolescents and young people in Nigeria.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(17):10509. doi:10.3390/ijerph191710509American Heart Association.Need another reason to vape? Your oral health is at risk.American Cancer Fund.Oral cancer.National Cancer Institute.Lip and oral cavity cancer treatment (Adult) (PDQ)-patient version.Penn Medicine.Lymphoma of the head and neck.Penn Medicine.Mucosal melanoma.Informed Health.org.Canker sores (mouth ulcers): what can you do if you have a canker sore?Huynh NCN, Everts V, Leethanakul C, Pavasant P, Ampornaramveth RS.Rinsing with saline promotes human gingival fibroblast wound healingin vitro.PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0159843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159843Madeswaran S, Jayachandran S.Sodium bicarbonate: a review and its uses in dentistry.Indian J Dent Res. 2018;29(5):672-677. doi:10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_30_17El-Haddad SA, Asiri FY, Al-Qahtani HH, Al-Ghmlas AS.Efficacy of honey in comparison to topical corticosteroid for treatment of recurrent minor aphthous ulceration: a randomized, blind, controlled, parallel, double-center clinical trial.Quintessence Int. 2014 Sep;45(8):691-701. doi:10.3290/j.qi.a32241.Kumarswamy A.Multimodal management of dental pain with focus on alternative medicine: a novel herbal dental gel.Contemp Clin Dent. 2016;7(2):131-139. doi:10.4103/0976-237X.183066Rafieian N, Abdolsamadi H, Moghadamnia A, et al.Efficacy of alum for treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.Caspian J Intern Med. 2016;7(3):201-205.
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.
MedlinePlus.Mouth sores.Mount Sinai.Mouth sores.The American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM).Canker sores.American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.Oral lichen planus.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Bechet’s syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Genital herpes.Cedars-Sinai.Herpes simplex virus (HSV) mouth infection.Huang CW, Hsieh CH, Lin MR, Huang YC.Clinical features of gingivostomatitis due to primary infection of herpes simplex virus in children.BMC Infect Dis.2020;20(1):782. doi:10.1186/s12879-020-05509-2Mount Sinai.Gingivostomatitis.Trayes KP, Love G, Studdiford JS.Erythema Multiforme: Recognition and Management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(2):82–88.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).HFMD symptoms and complications.Sarasati A, Agustina D, Surboyo MDC.The Oral Lesion in the COVID-19 Patient: Is It True Oral Manifestation or Not?Infect Drug Resist. 2023 Jul 4;16:4357-4385. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S411615National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.HIV/AIDS and oral health.MedlinePlus.Leukoplakia.American Academy of Family Physicians.Thrush.Patil S, Rao RS, Majumdar B, Anil S.Clinical appearance of oralCandidainfection and therapeutic strategies.Front Microbiol. 2015;6:1391. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.01391American Dental Association.Sexually transmitted diseases and your mouth.Alade O, Folayan MO, Adeniyi A, et al.Differences in oral lesions associated with tobacco smoking, e-cigarette use and covid-19 infection among adolescents and young people in Nigeria.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(17):10509. doi:10.3390/ijerph191710509American Heart Association.Need another reason to vape? Your oral health is at risk.American Cancer Fund.Oral cancer.National Cancer Institute.Lip and oral cavity cancer treatment (Adult) (PDQ)-patient version.Penn Medicine.Lymphoma of the head and neck.Penn Medicine.Mucosal melanoma.Informed Health.org.Canker sores (mouth ulcers): what can you do if you have a canker sore?Huynh NCN, Everts V, Leethanakul C, Pavasant P, Ampornaramveth RS.Rinsing with saline promotes human gingival fibroblast wound healingin vitro.PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0159843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159843Madeswaran S, Jayachandran S.Sodium bicarbonate: a review and its uses in dentistry.Indian J Dent Res. 2018;29(5):672-677. doi:10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_30_17El-Haddad SA, Asiri FY, Al-Qahtani HH, Al-Ghmlas AS.Efficacy of honey in comparison to topical corticosteroid for treatment of recurrent minor aphthous ulceration: a randomized, blind, controlled, parallel, double-center clinical trial.Quintessence Int. 2014 Sep;45(8):691-701. doi:10.3290/j.qi.a32241.Kumarswamy A.Multimodal management of dental pain with focus on alternative medicine: a novel herbal dental gel.Contemp Clin Dent. 2016;7(2):131-139. doi:10.4103/0976-237X.183066Rafieian N, Abdolsamadi H, Moghadamnia A, et al.Efficacy of alum for treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.Caspian J Intern Med. 2016;7(3):201-205.
MedlinePlus.Mouth sores.
Mount Sinai.Mouth sores.
The American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM).Canker sores.
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.Oral lichen planus.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Bechet’s syndrome.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Genital herpes.
Cedars-Sinai.Herpes simplex virus (HSV) mouth infection.
Huang CW, Hsieh CH, Lin MR, Huang YC.Clinical features of gingivostomatitis due to primary infection of herpes simplex virus in children.BMC Infect Dis.2020;20(1):782. doi:10.1186/s12879-020-05509-2
Mount Sinai.Gingivostomatitis.
Trayes KP, Love G, Studdiford JS.Erythema Multiforme: Recognition and Management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(2):82–88.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).HFMD symptoms and complications.
Sarasati A, Agustina D, Surboyo MDC.The Oral Lesion in the COVID-19 Patient: Is It True Oral Manifestation or Not?Infect Drug Resist. 2023 Jul 4;16:4357-4385. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S411615
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.HIV/AIDS and oral health.
MedlinePlus.Leukoplakia.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Thrush.
Patil S, Rao RS, Majumdar B, Anil S.Clinical appearance of oralCandidainfection and therapeutic strategies.Front Microbiol. 2015;6:1391. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.01391
American Dental Association.Sexually transmitted diseases and your mouth.
Alade O, Folayan MO, Adeniyi A, et al.Differences in oral lesions associated with tobacco smoking, e-cigarette use and covid-19 infection among adolescents and young people in Nigeria.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(17):10509. doi:10.3390/ijerph191710509
American Heart Association.Need another reason to vape? Your oral health is at risk.
American Cancer Fund.Oral cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Lip and oral cavity cancer treatment (Adult) (PDQ)-patient version.
Penn Medicine.Lymphoma of the head and neck.
Penn Medicine.Mucosal melanoma.
Informed Health.org.Canker sores (mouth ulcers): what can you do if you have a canker sore?
Huynh NCN, Everts V, Leethanakul C, Pavasant P, Ampornaramveth RS.Rinsing with saline promotes human gingival fibroblast wound healingin vitro.PLoS One. 2016;11(7):e0159843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159843
Madeswaran S, Jayachandran S.Sodium bicarbonate: a review and its uses in dentistry.Indian J Dent Res. 2018;29(5):672-677. doi:10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_30_17
El-Haddad SA, Asiri FY, Al-Qahtani HH, Al-Ghmlas AS.Efficacy of honey in comparison to topical corticosteroid for treatment of recurrent minor aphthous ulceration: a randomized, blind, controlled, parallel, double-center clinical trial.Quintessence Int. 2014 Sep;45(8):691-701. doi:10.3290/j.qi.a32241.
Kumarswamy A.Multimodal management of dental pain with focus on alternative medicine: a novel herbal dental gel.Contemp Clin Dent. 2016;7(2):131-139. doi:10.4103/0976-237X.183066
Rafieian N, Abdolsamadi H, Moghadamnia A, et al.Efficacy of alum for treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.Caspian J Intern Med. 2016;7(3):201-205.
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