Mouth sores
Home care:
Mouth sores caused by viruses heal by themselves. Canker sores can take up to 2 weeks to disappear regardless of how they are treated.
Pain relievers (such as Acetaminophen - oral) and lots of fluids may help relieve symptoms such as pain and fever. Cold liquids are usually soothing to the lesion (popsicles are often helpful).
Orabase, a nonprescription preparation, may be applied for protection of a sore inside the lip and on the gums. Blistex or Campho-Phenique may provide some relief of canker sores and fever blisters, especially if applied when the sore initially appears.
Call your health care provider if:
- the problem is possibly caused by medication.
- there are large white patches on the roof of the mouth.
- mouth sores persist longer than 3 weeks.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting mouth sores in detail may include: - type
- Is it an open sore (mouth ulcer)?
- Are there deep, hard-edged cracks?
- Are there large, white patches on the roof of the mouth?
- location
- Are the sores on the lips?
- Are the sores on the gums?
- Are the sores on the tongue?
- Are the sores on the lining of the cheeks?
- time pattern
- How long have you had the mouth sores?
- Have they been persistent for longer than 2 weeks?
- Have you ever had sores of this type before?
- other
The physical examination will include a thorough examination of the mouth and tongue.
Intervention:
A topical anesthetic (applied to a localized area of the skin) such as lidocaine or xylocaine may be used to relieve pain (but should be avoided in children). Nystatin (an antifungal medication) may be prescribed for oral thrush (a yeast infection).
After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to mouth sores to your personal medical record.
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