Mouth ulcers

Alternative names:

oral ulcer; stomatitis, ulcerative; ulcer - mouth; ulcer - oral

Definition:

A group of disorders that cause sores or open lesions within the mouth (see also mouth sores; and aphthous ulcer).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Mouth ulcers are caused by many disorders. These include canker sores, leukoplakia, gingivostomatitis, oral cancer, oral lichen planus, oral thrush, and similar disorders. The skin lesion of Histoplasmosis may also appear as a mouth ulcer.

Aphthous ulcer is most common in young adults, with about a 60% incidence.