FACE & MOUTH
Mouth Sores: Common Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments
July 21, 2020
Symptom Guides > Face & Mouth > Mouth Sores: Common Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments

by
Dr. Chesney Fowler
Dr. Fowler is an emergency medicine physician and received her MD from George Washington University. She completed her residency in emergency medicine at Christiana Care Health System. In addition to her work at K Health, Dr. Fowler is a practicing emergency medicine physician in Washington, DC.
While any kind of physical pain can be frustrating, mouth sores are especially aggravating because they can interfere with common functions like eating, drinking, swallowing, talking, and breathing. Mouth sores, also known as canker sores or mouth ulcers, cause painful, red lesions on the inside of the mouth.
They may be uncomfortable but mouth sores are generally not harmful, and they typically resolve on their own within a few weeks. Minor mouth sores usually go away within two weeks, and more severe ones can last up to six weeks. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of canker sores, some lifestyle factors, like mouth irritation and diet, can contribute.
In some cases, mouth sores can be a sign of another underlying condition. If you have mouth sores that interfere with daily functions, or your mouth sores are getting worse over time, make sure to talk to a doctor to identify the cause and determine the best course of treatment.
In this article, I’ll cover:
“Mouth sores can occur on any part of a person’s mouth, including the lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, and roof of the mouth, causing redness and pain.”
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by
Dr. Chesney Fowler
Dr. Fowler is an emergency medicine physician and received her MD from George Washington University. She completed her residency in emergency medicine at Christiana Care Health System. In addition to her work at K Health, Dr. Fowler is a practicing emergency medicine physician in Washington, DC.
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