Where should I go for a mouth ulcer?
For mouth ulcers, the specialty depends on whether the sore is toward the front of the mouth or toward the throat. “I have a sore in my mouth—should I go to a dentist or an ENT doctor?” We hear this question more often than you'd think.
| Location / symptoms | Where to go first |
|---|---|
| Inside of the lip, cheek, tongue, gums, roof of the mouth | Dentist |
| Where a sharp tooth, restoration, or braces rub | Dentist |
| Tonsils or throat, pain inside the throat when swallowing, hoarse voice | ENT doctor |
| Small clustered blisters on the outside of the lip | ENT doctor or dermatologist |
| Frequent recurrence with symptoms elsewhere in the body | Internal medicine or family medicine |
If you're not sure which it is, you can first have it checked at whichever dentist or ENT clinic you can get to. If needed, you'll be referred to the right specialty.
What kinds of mouth ulcers does a dentist look at?
At the dentist, we check whether a sore in the mouth is a common aphthous ulcer, a wound from rubbing against a tooth or restoration, or something that needs to be distinguished from another mucosal condition. Aphthous ulcers are usually round, white or yellow sores with a red border, and they are not contagious.
If a broken tooth edge, an ill-fitting restoration, or braces keep scraping the same spot, it won't heal well even with medication. In that case, the edge causing it has to be smoothed for the wound to heal. The same goes for spots where you keep biting your cheek or tongue. If the edge of an old restoration has become rough or developed a gap, smoothing may not be enough and it may need to be remade. When to replace them is summarized in when to replace old composite fillings and crowns.
How many days does a mouth ulcer take to heal?
Common mouth ulcers usually shrink and hurt less within 7–14 days. If any of the following apply, don't put it down to tiredness—get it checked.
- It hasn't shrunk after 2 weeks, or stays in the same spot for 3 weeks or more
- It is large and deep, or has an irregular border and is getting harder
- It bleeds easily, or it's hard to swallow water and food
- It comes with a high fever, a lump in the neck, or numbness
- It recurs several times a month, or comes with sores on the skin or genitals, joint pain, diarrhea, or weight loss
Recurring ulcers can be related to iron, folate, or vitamin B12 deficiency, medications you take, immune disorders, or digestive disorders, so tests at internal medicine or family medicine are needed. If your tongue and the floor of your mouth suddenly swell so it's hard to swallow saliva, or you're short of breath, don't wait for an outpatient appointment—go to the emergency room.
Is there a way to make a mouth ulcer heal faster?
The surest way is to irritate the wound less. Avoid spicy, salty, and sour food, hot food, alcohol, and smoking, and use a soft toothbrush. Pharmacy ointments and mouthwashes only ease the pain for a while. Rubbing salt directly on it or repeatedly applying harsh products damages the lining further.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
Rather than which specialty it belongs to, I first ask where the ulcer is, what it looks like, and how long it has been there, and I look at it myself. If a tooth or restoration is the cause, I smooth that spot; if the cause is unclear and it recurs often, I refer you to oral medicine; and if a biopsy or surgery is needed, I refer you to a hospital that can provide that care. For recurring ulcers with whole-body symptoms, I also recommend seeing internal medicine. Inside the mouth, see a dentist; in the throat, see an ENT doctor; past 2 weeks, be sure to get it checked.
Frequently asked questions
Is a mouth ulcer the same as swollen gums?
No. A mouth ulcer is a sore on the lining of the mouth, while swollen gums are usually gum inflammation caused by plaque and tartar. If your gums are swollen and bleeding, see why gums suddenly swell.
If my mouth is often dry, am I more likely to get mouth ulcers?
When saliva decreases, the lining is damaged more easily and may heal more slowly. If your mouth is often dry, also check causes of dry mouth.
Are mouth ulcers contagious?
Common aphthous ulcers are not contagious. Cold sores, small clustered blisters around the lips, are a viral infection, so it's better to use separate towels and cups.
What should I do about mouth ulcers caused by braces?
Putting orthodontic wax where the appliance rubs reduces friction. If a wire end pokes you or the same spot keeps getting sore, the dentist will adjust the appliance.