Simple ways to soothe and avoid mouth sores

A sore spot on your mouth or lips may be harder to ignore than pain in other parts of your body. Such spots can be sensitive to the touch or to different foods and drinks. Even talking can become painful.

“Many mouth and lip sores heal on their own,” says Dr. Matthew Evans, a dermatologist from Advocate Health Care. “But you should see a dentist if such sores last longer than three weeks, return often, have severe symptoms or if you develop new symptoms, such as a fever.”

What causes a mouth or lip sore?

Sometimes the cause of a mouth or lip sore is an injury. These injuries can stem from:

• Having braces or retainers
• Biting your lips, tongue or cheek accidentally
• Getting an injury from dental work
• Using abrasive toothpaste
• Consuming food that is too hot
• Smoking or using chewing tobacco

Some medical conditions can contribute to mouth sores too, including:

• Viral, fungal or bacterial infections
• Crohn’s disease
• Celiac disease
• Lupus

How to tell if it’s a canker sore or a cold sore

The most common mouth sore is a canker sore. Canker sores are different from cold sores because they form inside the mouth. Cold sores usually form on the outside of the lips or around the lips.

Canker sores are not contagious and can happen for no apparent reason. Sometimes canker sores happen because of a folate, iron or vitamin B12 deficiency.

Cold sores are contagious and are caused by herpes simplex virus. Cold sores may happen along with other symptoms, such as a fever or a sore throat.

How to soothe mouth or lip sores

To ease pain and help heal small injuries to the mouth and lips, Dr. Evans suggests:

• Applying either ice in a washcloth or a warm washcloth to the sores to help ease pain
• Avoiding hot beverages, spicy and salty foods, and citrus fruits
• Gargling with cool water or eating fruit-flavored ice pops
• Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon in a glass)
• Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen

If your mouth sore is caused by braces or a retainer, your orthodontist may adjust your appliances or provide a wax you can attach to them to protect the spot while it heals.

Keeping your teeth and mouth clean can help prevent some types of mouth and lip sores. Be sure to brush your teeth using a soft toothbrush at least twice a day and floss once a day. Get regular dental cleanings and checkups.

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