Mouth Sores: Visual Guide, Causes, Varieties, Symptoms & Effective Treatments

Mouth sores can arise from various factors including infections, injuries, or habits like tobacco use. It’s important to consult a healthcare provider if you notice white patches or sores appearing after starting new medications.

These sores are widespread and can affect any soft tissue inside the mouth such as the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, and the floor or roof of the mouth.

Typically, mouth sores are mild and resolve within one to two weeks, but in some cases, they may signal serious health issues like infections or oral cancer.

Continue reading to discover the different types and causes of mouth sores, supported by images to help you recognize them.

This guide covers the main types of mouth sores, their causes, and practical treatment advice, complete with illustrative photos.

How Do Mouth Sores Appear?

The appearance of mouth sores varies based on their cause, with colors ranging from white, yellow, red to purple, contrasting with surrounding tissues.

Below are images depicting various mouth sores. These are for visual reference only and not for self-diagnosis. Persistent or recurring sores warrant professional evaluation.

Note: Graphic images of mouth sores follow.

Canker Sores

Canker sores present as small, oval ulcers inside the mouth, often white, gray, or yellow with a red inflamed border. They can also appear as painful red patches.

Also called aphthous ulcers, they affect about a quarter of people and usually heal without treatment in a few weeks. Frequent ulcers may indicate underlying conditions like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, vitamin deficiencies, or HIV.

Types of canker sores include:

• Mild: Under 1 cm, healing in 1-2 weeks
• Major: Larger and deeper (2-3 cm), healing over weeks or months
• Herpetiform: Small (1-2 mm), clustered sores numbering 10-100, healing in weeks

What Triggers Canker Sores?

Common causes include accidental cheek biting, burns, allergies, or sensitivities. They are not contagious.

Factors increasing susceptibility include:

• Weakened immunity due to illness or stress
• Hormonal changes like menstruation
• Vitamin deficiencies (folate, B12)
• Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis
• Exposure to water toxins
• Psychological stress
• Smoking history

Cold Sores

Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters appearing near the lips and mouth, often preceded by tingling or burning sensations.

These sores result from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Outbreaks may include mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

The virus remains dormant and reactivates during immune suppression or stress, with sores lasting 1-2 weeks.

Triggers for outbreaks include:

• Stress
• Illness or weakened immunity
• Excessive sun exposure
• Skin breaks in the mouth

HSV-1 spreads through direct contact like kissing or sharing utensils and can transmit even without visible sores. HSV-2 causes genital herpes with similar symptoms and transmission risks.

Folate Deficiency and Anemia

Folate (vitamin B9) deficiency impairs DNA synthesis and repair, crucial for embryonic development, and can lead to folate deficiency anemia.

Anemia is characterized by reduced red blood cells, hindering oxygen delivery to organs, and may manifest as mouth sores resembling small ulcers of various colors.

Additional folate deficiency symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Pale complexion
• Swollen tongue
• Premature gray hair
• Delayed childhood growth

Anemia symptoms may also feature:

• Pale, cold skin and gums
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Fatigue
• Blood pressure fluctuations
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath

Causes of rapid-onset anemia include blood loss from injuries, surgeries, childbirth, heavy menstruation, or gastrointestinal issues. Chronic anemia can stem from autoimmune diseases, inherited disorders, or toxic exposures.

Gingivostomatitis

This common infection of the mouth and gums mainly affects children, causing painful sores that appear gray or yellow with red centers.

Symptoms may include flu-like signs, drooling, and eating difficulties, with ulcers lasting 2-3 weeks. Causes include viral (HSV-1, coxsackievirus) and bacterial infections, often linked to poor oral hygiene.

Infectious Mononucleosis

Mono, caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), can present with a skin or mouth rash featuring pink or purple flat spots.

Common in adolescents and young adults, symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, headache, fatigue, night sweats, and body aches lasting 2-4 weeks or longer.

Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is a yeast infection on the tongue and inside of the mouth, common in infants and immunocompromised adults. Risk factors include dry mouth and antibiotic use.

It appears as creamy white patches that can be scraped off.

Caused by Candida overgrowth, treatment involves antifungal medications for 1-2 weeks.

Additional symptoms include mouth pain, cottony sensation, taste loss, swallowing discomfort, and cracked mouth corners.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

This viral illness, common in children under five, causes painful red blisters in the mouth and on hands, feet, buttocks, or genital areas. On darker skin, lesions may appear grayish-brown.

Other symptoms include fever, sore throat, malaise, and rash. The disease is contagious but usually resolves within 7-10 days.

Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia appears as thickened, white patches on the tongue or mouth lining, sometimes raised or hairy in texture, often linked to tobacco use.

While often benign, 1-9% of cases may progress to oral cancer. Early detection via dental checkups is important.

Oral Lichen Planus

Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting gums, lips, cheeks, and tongue, causing white, lace-like raised patches or red swollen areas with ulcers.

It’s not contagious and has no cure but can be managed with corticosteroids, immune modulators, and gentle oral care.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an immune reaction to gluten causing small intestine damage and nutrient malabsorption, leading to deficiencies and mouth ulcers.

Symptoms vary and may include diarrhea, weight loss, stomach pain, anemia, joint pain, bloating, fatty stools, skin rash, and mouth sores. Children may experience growth delays and dental discoloration.

Managing celiac disease requires a strict gluten-free diet, avoiding wheat, barley, rye, and related grains.

Mouth Cancer

Oral cancer originates in the lips, cheeks, teeth, gums, front tongue, or mouth floor and roof. It involves abnormal cell growth.

Signs include non-healing ulcers, white or red patches inside the mouth or on lips. Terms like leukoplakia and erythroplakia describe these changes.

Other symptoms: weight loss, bleeding gums, ear pain, neck lymph node swelling.

See a doctor for persistent white patches; biopsy may be needed. Early detection improves prognosis.

Pemphigus Vulgaris

This rare autoimmune disorder causes the immune system to attack healthy skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, nose, eyes, lungs, genitals, and anus.

It results in painful, itchy blisters that rupture and bleed, causing swallowing and eating difficulties.

Symptoms include recurring blisters that ooze, crust, or peel. Treatment involves systemic corticosteroids, often effective within three months.

Common Symptoms of Mouth Sores

Typical signs include redness, pain especially during eating or drinking, burning sensations, and tingling.

Depending on severity and location, sores can interfere with eating, speaking, swallowing, or breathing, and may develop blisters.

Seek medical advice if you have:

• Sores larger than half an inch
• Frequent recurrences
• Accompanying rash or joint pain
• Fever
• Diarrhea

What Causes Mouth Sores?

Mouth sores may result from minor injuries like biting, burns, irritation from dental appliances, aggressive brushing, tobacco use, or viral infections like herpes.

They can also be triggered by medications, infections (viral, bacterial, fungal), autoimmune diseases, bleeding disorders, cancer, celiac disease, or immune suppression from conditions like AIDS or organ transplants.

Diagnosing Mouth Sores

While many mouth sores are self-evident, consult a healthcare provider if you notice white patches, suspect infections, have sores that persist or worsen, start new medications, undergo cancer treatment, or have had recent transplants.

Doctors will examine your mouth and may perform biopsies or tests if cancer is suspected.

Home Remedies for Mouth Sores

Minor sores often heal naturally in 1-2 weeks. To ease discomfort and promote healing, try:

• Avoiding hot, spicy, salty, citrus, and sugary foods
• Staying away from tobacco and alcohol
• Gargling with saltwater
• Consuming cold foods like ice or sherbet
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen
• Not picking or squeezing sores
• Applying a baking soda and water paste
• Consulting pharmacists for suitable topical treatments

Medical Treatments for Mouth Sores

Healthcare providers may prescribe pain relievers, anti-inflammatory agents, or steroid gels. If sores stem from infections, appropriate antiviral, antibacterial, or antifungal medications will be administered.

For mouth cancer, diagnosis precedes treatments like surgery or chemotherapy.

Preventing Mouth Sores

Complete prevention isn’t guaranteed, but risk can be reduced by:

• Avoiding very hot foods and drinks
• Chewing carefully
• Using soft toothbrushes and maintaining oral hygiene
• Addressing dental hardware irritations
• Managing stress
• Eating a balanced diet with adequate vitamins
• Limiting spicy or irritating foods
• Staying hydrated
• Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol
• Protecting lips from sun exposure with SPF lip balm

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can Mouth Sores Be Healed?

Treatment depends on cause and may include medications. Home care tips include saltwater rinses, quitting tobacco, and applying baking soda paste.

What Do Stress-Related Mouth Sores Look Like?

Stress commonly triggers canker sores, small painful ulcers inside the mouth.

When Should You Worry About Mouth Sores?

Consult a doctor if sores are frequent, large, very painful, persistent, or accompanied by fever.

How Long Do Mouth Sores Last?

Duration varies by cause; canker sores typically heal in 1-2 weeks. Persistent sores beyond two weeks require medical evaluation.

Summary

Mouth sores are common and usually resolve within one to two weeks. They can cause discomfort while eating or speaking. Over-the-counter remedies may alleviate symptoms.

Persistent, recurrent, or severe sores may indicate underlying health issues and should prompt medical consultation for diagnosis and treatment.

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