What to do If Your Child Has a Mouth Ulcer

18th January 2018

Mouth ulcers are painful sores that appear in the mouth. They are common in adults, children and babies with between 5%-10% of children and infants being affected. Although they are not unusual they can be distressing for both parents and child due to the pain and discomfort they cause.

What are the signs of a mouth ulcer?

Mouth ulcers usually appear on the inside of the cheeks and lips, on the floor of the mouth and on the under the surface of the tongue. It is rare for them to appear on the roof of the mouth. They are mostly round or oval in shape, white, red, yellow or grey in colour and swollen around the edge. Mouth ulcers are often painful so your child may be irritable and distressed.

What causes a mouth ulcer in children?

Although the exact cause of oral ulcers in children is unknown, they seem to be associated with a number of triggering factors: genetic predisposition, immune system disorders, a general or an oral infection, a lack of vitamin etc can lead to the appearance of an ulcer-like image in the child’s mouth

How can you treat a mouth ulcer?

Most mouth ulcers don’t need any medical treatment and can be cared for at home. In most cases, the ulcer will heal itself within a couple of weeks. The best thing to do in this instance is to ensure that the mouth ulcer is not irritating the child or causing them pain. Then, you can provide comfort by applying with a clean finger, 2-3 times daily, our SensiTeeth Kids Aphthae Gel, for the relief of oral mucosa from mouth ulcers.

Although it is usually safe to treat your child’s mouth ulcer at home, if you suspect they may be caused by a viral infection or if the mouth ulcers are recurring, then you should consult a medical professional.