The Mouth Sore That Just Won’t Heal
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A sore inside your cheek can be remarkably easy to ignore. You might blame it on biting yourself, a sharp piece of toast, or a denture that has started rubbing in the wrong place. Most mouth ulcers are harmless and disappear within a week or two, so it is understandable to give them time.
The important part is knowing when “give it time” has gone on long enough. Health New Zealand recommends seeing a dentist or healthcare provider if a mouth ulcer has not healed within three weeks, or if it looks unusual.
There are plenty of ordinary reasons for a mouth sore. You might have caught the inside of your cheek with your teeth, burned your mouth on something hot, or irritated the area with a broken tooth or poorly fitting dentures. Some medicines and nutritional deficiencies can also contribute to recurring ulcers.
The location can also make a difference to everyday life. A sore in the wrong place can make eating, drinking, or even talking uncomfortable. If an ulcer is particularly painful or is stopping you from eating or drinking normally, that is another reason to speak with a healthcare professional rather than simply waiting for it to disappear.
While you are waiting for it to settle, soft foods and cool drinks can be easier on the mouth. Avoiding very spicy, acidic, or hot foods may help, and a soft toothbrush is less likely to irritate the area. A simple salt-water rinse can also provide some relief.
It is also worth paying attention to recurring sores. If you keep getting ulcers, particularly without an obvious trigger, mention the pattern to your doctor or dentist. They may want to look for an underlying cause rather than treating each sore separately.
A mouth ulcer does not automatically mean something serious. But a sore that keeps hanging around deserves more than another week of hoping it will disappear.
If it has been there for three weeks, or simply looks or feels different from the usual ulcers you get, arrange an assessment. Your mouth can sometimes give you useful information before you notice anything else is wrong.
