A mouth ulcer is a small oral lesion inside the mouth. Mouth ulcers are white or yellow oval sores with a red inflamed border. They appear on the inner side of the lip, cheek, on the tongue or gums. They cause a lot of pain and discomfort and may cause difficulty eating, drinking or speaking.

Mouth ulcer are also called: canker sore or aphthous ulcer.

There are three main types of mouth ulcer which are classified by their size:

Minor ulcer

Minor ulcer is the most common type of mouth ulcer. They usually are 3 to 4 mm in size and not bigger then 10mm. Minor ulcer occur singly buy may appear in small groups of a maximum of 5 and take between 7 to 14 days to heal.

Major ulcer

Major ulcer is a less common type of mouth ulcer. They are 10mm and bigger in size and appear singly or in pairs. Major ulcers are very painful and take 1 or 2 months to heal and may leave a scar.

Herpetiform ulcer

Herpetiform ulcer is a rare type of mouth ulcer, account for 10% of the cases. Herpetiform ulcer look like pinpoints and appear in clusters or large groups.

Mouth ulcer starts with a slightly tingling and burning sensation inside the mouth. You may find a red spot or swelling on the place where the mouth ulcer will occur. After a day the spot will burst and the mouth ulcer will be visual, a white or yellow centre with a red inflamed edge. Generally, the sores heal within two weeks without scarring. 

Mouth ulcers are usually found on the movable parts of the mouth, such as the tongue or the inside lining of the lips and cheeks, and at the base of the gums.

The exact cause of mouth ulcer is still not thoroughly understood. There are signs that a low immune system, mouth injury and stress cause mouth ulcer. Other factors that may cause or trigger a mouth ulcer outbreak:

 Biting the inside of your cheek, lip or tongue

 Sharp or broken tooth

 Poorly fitted dentures

 Using a toothbrush that is to hard

 Avoid toothpaste containing, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)

 Hypersensitivity to certain foods

 Hereditary

 Vitamin deficiency, especially B-complex

 Low immunity

 Bacterial or viral infection

 Hormonal changes

 Medicines

 Anxiety

 Stress

 Poor oral hygiene

 Spicy food

 Alcohol

 Some medicines

 Smoking

 Allergy

No, a mouth ulcer is not contagious. You cannot get mouth ulcers from someone else.

Anyone can get mouth ulcers. Most people will experience at least one mouth ulcer in their lifetime. Others continously suffer from mouth ulcer every 1 or 2 weeks. Some people are more susceptible to getting mouth ulcer, gender, genetics and age come into play. Mouth ulcer are more common among children and young adults in the age of 10 to 25. As we get older the chance of getting mouth ulcer decreases. Mouth ulcers are rarely found on people above 40 years of age. Also people with immune deficiency and genetic heredity are more prone of getting mouth ulcer.

Although mouth ulcers are not damaging to your health in some cases they can be a sign of an infection or impending disease. You should visit your doctor in the following cases:

 If the mouth ulcers have not disappeared after two weeks

 If you often have problems with mouth ulcer

 If you think that your mouth ulcers are caused by your medication or dentures

 If the mouth ulcer starts to bleed

 When you have a sudden outbreak of mouth ulcer accompanied with a fever

Depending on the size of the mouth ulcer, mouth ulcer usually will heal in 7 to 14 days. Mouth ulcers with a size bigger then 10millimetres may take a month or several months to heal.

No, mouth ulcers are not damaging to your health. Though they may be a sign of infection or a impending disease.

Although mouth ulcers will disappear eventually by themselves, they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort and it takes a while for them to heal. Especially when you have mouth ulcers occasionally and they keep returning throughout the year. 

Why treat mouth ulcers?

 Mouth ulcers cause a lot of pain and discomfort

 Can make your daily activities uncomfortable and painful (eating, drinking, speaking, etc)

 Mouth ulcers can be embarrassing

 The mouth ulcer can get infected or get more damaged

 Takes a long time to heal

There is no cure available for mouth ulcers. Treatment of mouth ulcers is based on relieving the symptoms,reducing the chance of returning and promoting the healing process. There are different kinds of treatments available to get rid of mouth ulcers. Below you can find tips what you can use at home to reduce the pain and/or speed up the healing process.

Home remedies

 Salt water mouth rinses

 Eat yoghurt or other dairy products at least twice a day

 Antibacterial mouthwash

 Painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen)

 Over the counter medication, like Bye Mouth Ulcer!™

Medication

Before taking medication, always try treatments listed above. Ask your local pharmacist about mouth ulcer treatments. Medication that your doctor usually prescribes:

 Corticosteroids

 Painkillers

 Magic mouthwash

Mouth ulcers are difficult to prevent, because the exact cause is still unknown. A fact is that a weak or compromised immune system and genetic hereditary factors may cause mouth ulcers. There are some measures to reduce the risk of getting mouth ulcer(s). Below you can find tips how to prevent and reduc the risk at mout ulcers forming.

Good balanced nutrition

 Eat a healthy varied and well balanced diet of fruit and vegetables

 Drink plenty of water each day

 Avoid food or drinks that are hot, spicy or acidic

 Reduce sweet and sugar consumption

 Limit alcohol use

 Take vitamin B-complex and folic acid (especially people with recurrent mouth ulcer and/or immune deficiency)

Dental hygiene

 Brushing teeth and floss twice a day

 Regular dental care/check up's (minimum twice a year)

 Proper cleaning of the tongue

Lifestyle

 Avoid or reduce stress

 Reduce or stop smoking

Bye mouth ulcer!™ is a film-forming gel for the localised treatment of mouth ulcers. Bye mouth ulcer!™ puts a provective layer over the mouth ulcer and reduces the pain and burning sensation immediately. The layer also protects the ulcer against negative, external influences and promotes the healing process. Bye mouth ulcer!™ is well tolerated by the skin and not acidic or a local anesthaetic.

Bye mouth ulcer!™ is a gel for the treatment of mouth ulcers and only intended for use inside the mouth. Bye mouth ulcer!™ comes in a tube that is easy to use and must be applied to the mouth ulcer itself. 

Put sufficient gel on the finger and apply the gel to the mouth ulcer in the mouth, till the entire ulcer is covered.

Instructions for use

Apply at least 30 minutes before eating a meal or directly after eating or brushing your teeth. It is better not to eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after applying, you will then avoid the protective film layer to be affected. Use Bye mouth ulcer! at least 4 times a day until the mouth ulcer has completely disappeared. If, after two weeks of treatment no change can be seen, we advise you to contact your general practitioner. The ingredients of Bye mouth Ulcer! are not absorbed by the body.

Bye mouth ulcer!™ is not a local anaesthetic and therefore a minimal risk of biting your cheek lip or tongue.

The active ingredients in Bye mouth ulcer!™ have a positive impact on the removal of mouth ulcers. Bye mouth ulcer! forms a protective, waterproof and breathable film layer over the mouth ulcer. The mouth ulcer is then completely sealed and the restorative properties of the mouth ensure that the mouth ulcer disappears. Pain is relieved immediately, the number and size of the mouth ulcer reduces and the healing process is boosted.

You find our contact information at the contact section of this website or you can email us info@byemouthulcer.com