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Healthy Children > Tips & Tools > KidsDoc Symptom Checker > Mouth Ulcers
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Mouth Ulcers

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Definition

  • Painful, shallow ulcers (sores) on the lining of the mouth
  • The gums, the inner sides of the lips or cheeks are the usual sites.
  • Sores on the outer lips (e.g., recurrent fever blisters) are excluded

Causes

  • Canker Sores: The main cause of 1 or 2 mouth ulcers after age 5. Not contagious.
  • Hand-foot-mouth disease: The most common cause of multiple ulcers in the mouth, mainly on the tongue and sides of the mouth. Due to the Coxsackie A-16 virus. It is common between ages 1 to 5 years.
  • Herpes Virus (Cold sore virus): The first infection can be severe and cause 10 or more ulcers on the gums, tongue and lips. Key finding are ulcers on the outer lips or skin around the mouth. Also, fever and difficulty swallowing. Usually occurs age 1 to 3.

Return to School

  • Canker sores are not contagious. Children with fever or many mouth ulcers need to be examined before returning to child care or school.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For more information, click here.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 6/1/2011
Last Revised: 8/1/2011
Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker
Copyright 1994-2012 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

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When To Call

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If

  • Not moving or too weak to stand

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

  • Your child looks or acts very sick
  • Chemical in the mouth could have caused ulcers
  • Signs of dehydration (very dry mouth, no tears and no urine in more than 8 hours)
  • You think that your cjild needs to be seen urgently

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If

  • You think your child needs to be seen, but not urgently
  • 4 or more ulcers
  • Bloody crusts on lips
  • Red, swollen gums
  • Ulcers and sores also present on outer lips
  • One ulcer on the gum near a tooth with a toothache
  • Fever or swollen face
  • Large lymph node under the jaw
  • Began after starting a medicine

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

  • You have other questions or concerns
  • Mouth ulcers last over 2 weeks

Parent Care at Home If

  • Probable canker sores and you don't think your child needs to be seen

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For more information, click here.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 6/1/2011
Last Revised: 8/1/2011
Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker
Copyright 1994-2012 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

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Care Advice

  1. Canker sores are the #1 cause of mouth ulcers:
    • 1 to 3 painful, white ulcers of the inner cheeks, inner lip or gums (no fever).
    • Causes include injuries from rough food, tooth brushes, biting, food irritants, etc.
  2. Liquid Antacid for Pain Relief:
    • Use a liquid antacid 4 times per day for pain relief. (Avoid regular mouth washes, because they sting).
    • Children over age 4 can use 1 teaspoon (5 ml) as a mouth wash after meals
    • For younger children, put ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) in the front of the mouth after meals.
  3. Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen for severe pain (especially at bedtime).
  4. Fluids:
    • Offer a soft diet.
    • Encourage favorite fluids to prevent dehydration. Cold drinks, milkshakes, and popsicles are especially good.
    • Avoid salty foods, citrus fruits and foods that need much chewing.
    • For infants, give fluids by cup, spoon or syringe rather than a bottle (Reason: The nipple can cause pain).
  5. Contagiousness: Canker sores are not contagious. Children with fever or many mouth ulcers need to be examined before returning to child care or school.
  6. Expected Course: They heal up in 1 to 2 weeks on their own. Once they occur, no treatment can shorten the course, but treatment can reduce the amount of pain.
  7. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Mouth ulcers last over 2 weeks
    • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms. 

To find a pediatrician, click here.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For more information, click here.  

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 6/1/2011
Last Revised: 8/1/2011
Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker
Copyright 1994-2012 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

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Photos

Canker Sore on Inner Lower Lip

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

This is a public domain image file from Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia is a freely licensed media repository.

 

Chickenpox Sores in Mouth

Patients with Chickenpox commonly have small sores in the mouth. The sores can last up to one week.

Source: CDC PHIL
From the CDC's Public Health Image Library, ID#4492, in the public domain

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For more information, click here.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 6/1/2011
Last Revised: 8/1/2011
Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker
Copyright 1994-2012 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

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Related Information

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