They can appear aslesions, bumps,blisters,rashes, orwhite or colored patchesthat may be painful.
Mouth sores are related to a wide range of factors that include infection, dental hygiene, ororal cancer.
Other mouth sores like aBehcet ulcerororal lichen planusare symptoms of chronic diseases.
urbazon / Getty Images
Some mouth sores, likeaphthous ulcers (canker sores), can occur without a known cause.
Determining the jot down of mouth sore you have can help you decide on the right course of treatment.
Some mouth sores heal on their own; other types require special care.
batuhan toker/ Getty Images
This article includes pictures of mouth sores and ways to identify the types.
It also explains how to treat mouth sores and when to consult your healthcare provider and/or a dentist.
The following pictures and descriptions provide a basis for identifying some of the most common types of mouth sores.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023.
Contact your primary care provider and/or a dentist for a more definitive diagnosis and treatment advice.
It typically forms as a small pitted lesion that can be painful.
A canker sore is often small and round or oval with a yellow-gray color.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023.
It typically forms without a known cause.
Oral lichen planus is an autoimmune disease that causes chronicinflammationin your mouth.
It is a symptom of Behcet’s disease, an autoimmune disorder.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr. Mashihul Hossainwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This jot down of mouth sore is round or oval with reddish borders.
The lesion can be shallow or deep, appearing alone or in a cluster of multiple lesions.
Infectious Sores (Herpes)
Reproduced with permission from DermNet and Dr. Mashihul Hossainwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr. Richard Ashtonwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from DermNet and Dr. Richard Ashtonwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Infectious sores (herpes) often look like a cluster of small, fast-developing blisters.
They are infectious and spread by skin-to-skin contact with someone who carries the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikatodermnetnz.org2023.
Recurrent Erythema Multiforme
Reproduced with permission from DermNet and Te Whatu Ora Waikatodermnetnz.org2023.
Recurrent erythema multiforme is a bull’s-eye lesion.
It typically occurs after a herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection.
DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
The spots typically blister and become painful.
COVID-19-Related Sores
Reproduced with permission from DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Oral symptoms have been linked to infection with theSARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
HIV-Related Sores
Reproduced with permission from DermNet and Dr Richard Ashtondermnetnz.org2023.
They may also include red sores on the roof of your mouth and outside of your lips.
White or yellowish patches andwartscan also occur.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr Richard Ashtondermnetnz.org2023.
Leukoplakia
Reproduced with permission from DermNet and Professor Deborah Greenspandermnetnz.org2023.
Leukoplakiacauses thickened white patches on the mucous membranes of your mouth.
The patches are slightly raised and with a hard surface that can’t be scraped away.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Professor Deborah Greenspandermnetnz.org2023.
Leukoplakia patches are usually white or gray and do not cause pain.
They are common in smokers.
Thrush (Oral Candidiasis)
Reproduced with permission from DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022.
It can produce a white coating in your mouth that resembles cottage cheese.
Thrush may also involve oral redness and burning.
Syphilis-Related Sores
Syphilisis a bacterial infection that starts with mouth sores known aschancresduring its early stages.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022.
These typically appear on your lips or gums.
They can also develop at the tip of your tongue or the back of your mouth.
Nonsexually transmitted mouth sores are spread by close physical, nonsexual contact with an infected person.
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
This is typically the course of transmission with infections such as hand-foot-and-mouth disease and COVID-19.
Cancerous Mouth Sores
Cancerous mouth sores often have many of the same characteristics as non-cancerous types.
Lymphoma
Lymphomais classified asHodgkin’s lymphomaandnon-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Mucosal Melanoma
Mucosal melanoma can affect the mucous membranes in your mouth.
Mouth sores can include bleeding lumps, discolored lesions, andulcers(open sores).
For best results, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and only use products intended for your mouth.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
When underlying conditions exist, treatment involves managing those symptoms and treating the mouth sores.
Thankfully, most of them are self-limiting (heal on their own) and will prove harmless.
Many types of mouth sores have features that can look alike when viewed in the darkness of your mouth.
No matter its cause, a painful mouth sore can affect how you eat and speak.
Some can even change the way you look, adding to the stress and anxiety.
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