Mouth ulcers are painful sores in the lining of the mouth, which affect some people and are often worse in stressful times. Mouth ulcers are common and should clear up on their own within a week or 2. They're rarely a sign of anything serious, but may be uncomfortable to live with. How you can treat mouth ulcers yourself Re-apply the gel, following steps 1 to 3 above, as necessary for each ulcer. The aim is to keep the ulcer area(s) protected with a coating of gel. As a guide, each application should normally last for an hour or more, although, on occasions, eating or drinking may make it necessary to re-apply the gel. In some cases, Iglu may remain in place for several hours, as it has strong adhesive properties. Leukoplakia. This condition causes white or gray patches inside your mouth. It develops because of excess cell growth. Chronic irritation from things like smoking or chewing tobacco can cause it. But sometimes it happens for no apparent reason. Leukoplakia lesions usually aren’t cancerous. Recurrent mouth ulcers are the ones that come and go, sometimes every few weeks. Most of these ulcers are round, about the size of the top of a pencil. They sometimes appear in clusters of up to half a dozen or so. A common cause of recurrent mouth ulcers is being generally stressed or run-down. Mouth ulcers most frequently appear when the lining of the mouth (the mucous membrane) is damaged and fails to heal properly. These are called 'traumatic ulcers'. Common causes include:

In rare cases, mouth ulcers that don’t heal can be a sign of mouth cancer. You should call your dental practice or GP if an ulcer has been present for three weeks or more. They will carry out remote consultation over the phone/video before seeing you in person in the practice if required. Iglu Pastilles dissolve slowly in your mouth. This releases active ingredients that have antiseptic properties to help fight infection. At the same time, you get a cooling sensation that helps soothe your mouth and gums. Plus, they’re sugar free, so are kind to your teeth, and they taste great too. Do not take Iglu Sugar Free Pastilles if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to benzalkonium chloride solution, compound benzoin tincture or any of the other ingredients in this medicine. You should inform your doctor if you have any other symptoms in addition to the mouth ulcers. Other important symptoms would include skin or genital ulcers or joint pains and inflammation. Sometimes a blood test or other investigations are advised if other causes of mouth ulcers are suspected. Aphthous mouth ulcers management Remember, not all mouth ulcers are aphthous ulcers. Other types of ulcer can occur in the mouth and mouth ulcers can be a sign of an underlying illness or disease.It is unclear whether this product is safe for use during pregnancy and breast-feeding. The potential risks are unknown. If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. Herpetiform mouth ulcers occur in about 1 in 10 cases. These are tiny pinhead-sized ulcers, about 1-2 mm across. Multiple ulcers occur at the same time but some may join together and form irregular shapes. Each ulcer lasts one week to two months. Despite the name, they have nothing to do with herpes or the herpes virus. Pharmacists can recommend treatments that speed up healing, prevent infection or reduce pain, such as: Anytime you have a mouth sore that lasts longer than three weeks, schedule a visit with your provider. Mouth ulcers that don’t go away could point to other underlying health conditions. Are mouth ulcers a sign of cancer?

Do not use Iglu Gel if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate, aminoacridine hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients of Iglu Gel listed in Section 6. Usually not, but it’s possible. A mouth ulcer that doesn’t go away could be a sign of oral cancer. In most cases of mouth cancer, mouth ulcers appear on or under the tongue. If you are treating mouth ulcers caused by rubbing from false teeth/dentures etc, avoid using Iglu at the same time (e.g. use the gel at night or when not wearing dentures). If a mouth ulcer is causing you pain or discomfort, speak to your pharmacist. They may be able to recommend a protective paste or a painkilling gel to ease your discomfort. These commonly create a barrier over the ulcer to allow it to heal and aim to reduce pain and inflammation while preventing infection. Canker sores (aphthous ulcers). These are the most common type of mouth ulcers. Healthcare providers aren’t exactly sure what causes them or why some people get them more than others do. Causes include minor trauma (like biting your cheek), acidic foods and even stress. Canker sores are usually white or yellow with red around the edges.If you have a mouth ulcer that lasts longer than three weeks, call your dental practice for advice. Mouth ulcers are very common, with over 20% of people having recurrent ulcers at some stage in their life. Mouth ulcers cannot be caught by kissing, or by sharing drinks and utensils, because they are not caused by an infection. How can I prevent mouth ulcers?

If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. Driving and using machinery No. Unlike cold sores, mouth ulcers aren’t contagious, and they can’t spread through kissing or sharing food. Mouth ulcers are more common in people with certain conditions - for example, Crohn's disease, coeliac disease, HIV infection and Behçet's disease. However, these ulcers are not the aphthous type. Symptoms in addition to mouth ulcersLichen planus (an inflammatory condition that appears as a rash on the inside of your mouth and other parts of the body) Mouth ulcers usually affect the inside of the lips and cheeks, but they can also appear on the tongue and gums. They appear as small, round or oval sores. They're usually off-white or pale yellow and the surrounding area is often red and inflamed. They can be flat or raised, and might grow in size before disappearing. Depending on where it is, a mouth ulcer can cause discomfort and a stinging pain when you eat, drink or brush your teeth. Dental practices have to comply with social distancing measures so please do not attend without having made an appointment first. What are mouth ulcers?