*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers are common and should clear up on their own within a week or 2. But see a GP or dentist if you have a mouth ulcer that lasts longer than 3 weeks.

How you can treat mouth ulcers yourself

Mouth ulcers are rarely a sign of anything serious, but may be uncomfortable to live with.

They need time to heal and there's no quick fix.

Avoiding things that irritate your mouth ulcer should help:

speed up the healing process
reduce pain
reduce the chance of it returning

Do

use a soft-bristled toothbrush
drink cool drinks through a straw
eat softer foods
get regular dental check-ups
eat a healthy, balanced diet

Don't

do not eat very spicy, salty or acidic food
do not eat rough, crunchy food, such as toast or crisps
do not drink very hot or acidic drinks, such as fruit juice
do not use toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate

A pharmacist can help with mouth ulcers

A pharmacist can recommend a treatment to speed up healing, prevent infection or reduce pain, such as:

antimicrobial mouthwash
a painkilling tablet, mouthwash, gel or spray
corticosteroid lozenges
a salt (saline) mouthwash

You can buy these without a prescription.

Find a pharmacy

See a dentist or GP if your mouth ulcer:

lasts longer than 3 weeks
is different to other mouth ulcers you've had before, for example if it's bigger than usual or near the back of your throat
bleeds or becomes more painful and red - this may be a sign of an infection

Although most mouth ulcers are harmless, a long-lasting mouth ulcer is sometimes a sign of mouth cancer. It's best to get it checked.

You should also see a GP if you have other symptoms such as:

ulcers anywhere else on your body, such as your skin or genitals
painful, red or swollen joints

Treatment from a dentist or GP

A GP or dentist may prescribe stronger medicine to treat severe, persistent or infected mouth ulcers.

Possible treatments include:

steroids given as either a mouth spray, tablets that dissolve in your mouth or tablets that can be dissolved in water
painkilling gels, ointments, sprays or tablets
mouthwashes to kill or remove any germs in your mouth

Check if you have a mouth ulcer

You may have more than 1 ulcer at a time.

Mouth ulcers are not contagious and should not be confused with cold sores.

Cold sores appear on the lips or around the mouth and often begin with a tingling, itching or burning sensation. They can also appear as a small group of pinhead-sized ulcers inside the mouth.

Causes of mouth ulcers

Most single mouth ulcers are caused by things you can try to avoid, such as:

biting the inside of your cheek
badly fitting dentures, braces, rough fillings or a sharp tooth
cuts or burns while eating or drinking - for example, hard food or hot drinks
a food intolerance or allergy
damaging your gums with a toothbrush or irritating toothpaste
feeling tired, stressed or anxious

Sometimes they're triggered by things you cannot always control, such as:

hormonal changes - such as during pregnancy
your genes - some families get mouth ulcers more often
a vitamin deficiency, such as iron, zinc, folic acid, vitamin B or vitamin D
medicines - including some NSAIDs, beta blockers or nicorandil
stopping smoking - people may develop mouth ulcers when they first stop smoking

If you have several mouth ulcers, it can be a symptom of:

hand, foot and mouth disease, which also causes a rash on the hands and feet
oral lichen planus, which causes a white, lacy pattern inside the cheeks
Crohn's disease and coeliac disease (conditions that affect the digestive system)
a weakened immune system from having a condition like HIV or lupus

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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