Oral Ulcers or Lesions
Expert Care for Oral Ulcers and Lesions in Metro Atlanta
Finding a strange spot or feeling pain in your mouth can be unsettling. It’s normal to wonder whether it’s a simple canker sore or something that needs professional care. Mouth sores are common, but they can still cause significant discomfort when you eat, drink, or speak. Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery helps patients understand and manage these conditions every day. At our clinics throughout Metro Atlanta, we provide comprehensive care for all types of mouth sores. We’ll focus on finding the root cause of your discomfort so that we can address it as quickly as possible.
What Are Oral Lesions?
An oral lesion is any abnormal change in the tissues inside your mouth. This can include anything from a small cut to a larger sore or bump. A mouth ulcer is a specific type of oral lesion that occurs when the top layer of tissue inside your mouth breaks down, leaving an open sore. These sores usually look like small, shallow craters. They can appear on the inside of your cheeks, on your gums, under your tongue, or on the roof of your mouth. While they’re usually harmless, they can make everyday activities like eating spicy foods or brushing your teeth very painful.
Signs and Symptoms of Lesions and Oral Ulcers
Mouth sores can look and feel different depending on what’s causing them. Paying attention to your symptoms can help you and your doctor determine the right treatment. Here are some common signs to look for:
- Pain and Tenderness – The area might sting or burn, especially when eating or drinking.
- Swelling – You might feel a small, raised bump or a lump in the palate of your mouth.
- Color Changes – You may notice white, yellow, or gray centers on the sores, often surrounded by a bright red border.
- Discoloration – Some lesions appear as red patches on the mouth’s roof or on the inside of the cheeks.
- Bleeding – The sore might bleed slightly if you brush too hard or eat rough foods.
Types of Oral Lesions
There are many different types of oral lesions. Some result from a physical injury, while others are linked to infections or immune system responses. Common types include cold sores, thrush, and leukoplakia, which appears as thick, white patches. By examining the size, color, and location of the lesion, your doctor can determine exactly what type of sore you have.
Differences Between Ulcers and Canker Sores
People often confuse different types of mouth sores. A canker sore is a very common type of mouth ulcer. However, not all mouth ulcers are canker sores.
Canker sores only happen inside the mouth. They might be caused by accidentally biting your cheek, burning your mouth on hot food, or a reaction to a harsh toothpaste. While a simple ulcer might heal in just a few days, canker sores can take a week or two to heal completely.
Causes of Oral Ulcers and Lesions
Why do these painful spots emerge in the first place? Unfortunately, there’s no single answer. Many different things can trigger a sore in your mouth. Among the most common are:
- Physical Injury – Biting your cheek, wearing tight braces, or brushing your teeth too hard can damage mouth tissue.
- Stress – High levels of stress can weaken your immune system and trigger sores.
- Diet – Eating highly acidic foods – like lemons and tomatoes – can irritate your mouth.
- Vitamin Deficiencies – Not getting enough iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid can make you more likely to get sores.
- Medical Conditions – Certain digestive problems or immune system disorders can cause lesions to form.
Are Oral Ulcers Contagious?
Standard mouth ulcers and canker sores aren’t contagious. You cannot spread them to someone else by sharing food, kissing, or drinking after one another. However, cold sores – which usually appear on the outside of the lips – are caused by a virus and are very contagious. If you have a sore inside your mouth, you generally don’t need to worry about passing it to friends and family.
How to Treat Mouth Ulcers
Most simple sores will heal on their own within a week or two, but you don’t have to sit and suffer while you wait. Here are some easy steps you can take to treat mouth ulcers at home:
- Rinse With Saltwater – Mix a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Swish it around in your mouth to clean the sore and reduce pain.
- Avoid Spicy and Acidic Foods – These foods can irritate the open sore and worsen your pain.
- Use a Soft Toothbrush – Brush gently to avoid scraping the sore.
- Try Over-the-Counter Gels – Pharmacies sell numbing gels that you can apply directly onto the sore for temporary relief.
If your sore doesn’t improve after two weeks, or if you have a fever along with the sore, you should reach out to our doctors for professional care.
Contact Us in Metro Atlanta for Oral Lesion Treatments
If you have a mouth sore that’s causing you trouble or if you’re worried about a lump or red patch, the Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery team is here to help. Our oral health professionals will examine your mouth and help you find the right treatment. We have clinics throughout Metro Atlanta to serve you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.