Your mouth is home to hundreds of bacteria and fungi, most of which are harmless and present in balanced numbers. When the number of bad bacteria outnumbers the good bacteria, this can lead to disease, infections or viruses. The most common examples of these are ulcers, lumps, swelling, and red and white patches. Your dentist can play a role in the detection, diagnosis and management of these, so regular dental check-ups are important.

Ulcers

Mouth ulcers look similar to small blisters and are a common symptom of infection, inflammation, trauma, malignancy and other underlying conditions and diseases. Treatment is quite simple and they will usually heal within 7-10 days but, if they last for more than two weeks, you should go and see your dentist as they may be an early indication of something more serious. It is important to remember that there are strong links between certain types of ulcers and more serious diseases such as Crohn’s disease and coeliac disease.

If you have a mouth ulcer, your pharmacist should be able to recommend a suitable treatment but, if symptoms persist beyond two weeks, visit your dentist.

Causes

There are many potential causes of mouth ulcers which include:

• Bacterial infections
• Dietary deficiencies, such as lack of vitamin B-12, zinc, folate (folic acid), or iron
• Emotional stress
• Biting the inside of your mouth or burning it on hot food
• Food allergies
• Substance abuse, especially methamphetamine use
• Medications including chemotherapy
• Hormonal changes (for example during pregnancy)
• Chewing tobacco or smoking
• Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing sodium lauryl sulphate
• Viral infections such as herpes and thrush
• Overly vigorous teeth brushing
• Abrasions
• Cuts
• Ill-fitting dentures or dental appliances
• Immune system disorders
• Oral cancers

Lumps and Swelling

Isolated lumps and swelling in your mouth are often reactive lesions caused by:

• Mild trauma – such as biting or bumping the inside of your cheek, lip or tongue
• A sharp area on a tooth, which causes chronic irritation
• Hormones – especially during pregnancy, which can lead to an overgrowth of tissue in your mouth

Removing the cause of the lump or swelling will often result in the lump or swelling subsiding. If the lump or swelling is due to hormones, such as those present in pregnancy, this will usually clear up after pregnancy. Surgery can be necessary for more severe cases.

White and Red Patches

Areas of inflammation in your mouth can lead to white and red patches. White and red patches are often a sign of:

• Cheek or lip biting
• Infection – fungal infections such as thrush
• Mouth disease – both contagious and non-contagious in nature

White or red patches in certain areas of the mouth such as under the tongue and at the back of the mouth, and areas of the tongue can indicate that the lesion may be cancer.

If red or white patches, reoccurring painful ulcers, or swelling and lumps appear in your mouth, seek advice from a dentist or medical professional immediately.