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Original poster

Fucking mouth ulcers

33 replies

sourpuss23 · 01/03/2025 23:11

Ugh. I've always had them but as I'm getting older I suffer so much worse with them. I can go weeks, months even without one then something will flare up and I'll remember how vile they are.

I've got 2 at the moment, one that is massive and it's not just localised mouth pain, my whole head feels like it's swollen and sore. My glands are up, I have permanent headache and my eyes are so sore. I know it's the ulcer because it's the same thing every time I get one.

I've been dealing with it for years and I know salt water/mouthwash rinses help keep it clean. Paracetamol and anbesol gel help with the pain. But really for me the only way around it is time - I have to accept that I'll be miserable for a week then it'll start to improve.

I'm probably deficient in something but I think it's also something that I'm just susceptible to either in times of stress or certain times in my cycle. Either way it's shit and I'm thinking of asking my dentist to prescribe some sort of super strength mouthwash. Does anyone else suffer like this? My head feels like it's going to explode.

OP posts:
WispasAreNicerThanFlakes · 01/03/2025 23:13

A big dose of Vitamin B12 always beats mine back.

Itsjustnotthevibe · 01/03/2025 23:15

Have you tried using a toothpaste that doesn't have sodium laryl sulphate (may have spelt wrong), my friend used to have loads of ulcers but stopped using toothpaste with this in and barely gets any now.

SatsumaCat · 01/03/2025 23:15

Have you been tested for coeliac disease?

Beansandcheesearegood · 01/03/2025 23:16

I was going to say coeliacs too. Classic symptom.

RobinHeartella · 01/03/2025 23:16

I've got a couple of huge ones at the back of my throat at the moment. It's so painful.

Vitamin b helps me too but mostly preventatively. Also staying on top of drinking lots of water, which I'm bad at.

I've got one of those benzocaine throat sprays atm and it's giving me such relief, I really recommend it. Spray it directly onto the ulcer. Numbing the pain is like turning off a deafening siren in my head!

Sycamor · 01/03/2025 23:17

Try taking iron and vit b supplement. Avoid toothpastes that contain sodium laurel sulphate. Can also keep a diary. It might indicate a reason for them occuring

Neolara · 01/03/2025 23:18

Itsjustnotthevibe · 01/03/2025 23:15

Have you tried using a toothpaste that doesn't have sodium laryl sulphate (may have spelt wrong), my friend used to have loads of ulcers but stopped using toothpaste with this in and barely gets any now.

I agree with this.

I also sometimes get loads of ulcers. Recently, I seem to be able to stop them developing by taking a multivitamin at the first sign of one.

Illegally18 · 01/03/2025 23:19

sourpuss23 · 01/03/2025 23:11

Ugh. I've always had them but as I'm getting older I suffer so much worse with them. I can go weeks, months even without one then something will flare up and I'll remember how vile they are.

I've got 2 at the moment, one that is massive and it's not just localised mouth pain, my whole head feels like it's swollen and sore. My glands are up, I have permanent headache and my eyes are so sore. I know it's the ulcer because it's the same thing every time I get one.

I've been dealing with it for years and I know salt water/mouthwash rinses help keep it clean. Paracetamol and anbesol gel help with the pain. But really for me the only way around it is time - I have to accept that I'll be miserable for a week then it'll start to improve.

I'm probably deficient in something but I think it's also something that I'm just susceptible to either in times of stress or certain times in my cycle. Either way it's shit and I'm thinking of asking my dentist to prescribe some sort of super strength mouthwash. Does anyone else suffer like this? My head feels like it's going to explode.

Try gargling with manuka honey. Not tried this myself.

MrsJoker · 01/03/2025 23:22

Get your gp to consider coeliac disease, get tested for iron and b vitamin deficiencies.
Best thing I have found to make things heal quickly are Gengigel and Kin hyaluronic acid gel (they don’t have pain relief in them
though so use something else got the pain)
Avoid sodium lauryl sulphate
Avoid strong mouthwashes
Get your dentist to check there isn’t anything localised causing friction eg sharp filling

Amybelle88 · 01/03/2025 23:24

I suffered when I was having chemotherapy, I really feel for you, they are SO painful.

I used to use difflam spray and/or rinse and it would help quite a lot.

Vitamin b and c, too, and metatone tonic if you're run down and that's what's causing them. B6 will help regulate your hormones and body if they are cycle related. Really hope you find something that works for you ❤️

INeedAnotherName · 01/03/2025 23:25

I used to feel like you when I was younger. Regularly taking a multivitamin and not burning the midnight oil means I haven't had a mouth ulcer since then.

Moier · 01/03/2025 23:27

First sign of vitamin b12 deficiency is mouth ulcers. I used to get up to 20 at a time.. on tounge...inside lips all over.
Not had one for 8 years scince l started SI vitamin b12.

Original poster
sourpuss23 · 01/03/2025 23:28

I take vitamin c with zinc but I'm rubbish at remembering it daily. I took one today in the hope it might battle the ulcers but I think it's a bit late to be honest.

I always use the same toothpaste no idea if it has sodium lauryl sulfate in it. I could deal with the mouth pain but it's the fact that my whole head is banging. I'm so tired and I can't focus on anything. How can it cause so much pain!

OP posts:
Nat6999 · 01/03/2025 23:39

When I had pneumonia 18 months ago my mouth was hung in massive ulcers, inside both cheeks, roof of my mouth & under my tongue, they were so bad I couldn't eat & lost over 2 stone in a month. My lips also cracked & the corners of my mouth split so badly I could only drink through a straw, I have B12 deficiency & inject once a month anyway, it took ages for them all to heal, I panic now if I get the slightest sore in my mouth or around my lips.

Bobbingtons · 01/03/2025 23:42

sourpuss23 · 01/03/2025 23:11

Ugh. I've always had them but as I'm getting older I suffer so much worse with them. I can go weeks, months even without one then something will flare up and I'll remember how vile they are.

I've got 2 at the moment, one that is massive and it's not just localised mouth pain, my whole head feels like it's swollen and sore. My glands are up, I have permanent headache and my eyes are so sore. I know it's the ulcer because it's the same thing every time I get one.

I've been dealing with it for years and I know salt water/mouthwash rinses help keep it clean. Paracetamol and anbesol gel help with the pain. But really for me the only way around it is time - I have to accept that I'll be miserable for a week then it'll start to improve.

I'm probably deficient in something but I think it's also something that I'm just susceptible to either in times of stress or certain times in my cycle. Either way it's shit and I'm thinking of asking my dentist to prescribe some sort of super strength mouthwash. Does anyone else suffer like this? My head feels like it's going to explode.

I suffered from constant ulcers from adolescence. I would usually have at least 2 and it was debilitating especially the tongue ulcers!
About 15 years ago I did some research and it turns out chronic ulcers can be caused by toothpaste. Almost all toothpaste uses a chemical called SLS - sodium lauryl sulphate which is the thing that makes it foam. A huge number of people react badly to this and ulcerate. I use sensodyne gentle whitening as is contains something else and can't remember the last ulcer I had. It was genuinely life changing.

Devianinc · 01/03/2025 23:46

I had this caused by medication and as soon as I stopped it, it went away.

Devianinc · 01/03/2025 23:48

Nat6999 · 01/03/2025 23:39

When I had pneumonia 18 months ago my mouth was hung in massive ulcers, inside both cheeks, roof of my mouth & under my tongue, they were so bad I couldn't eat & lost over 2 stone in a month. My lips also cracked & the corners of my mouth split so badly I could only drink through a straw, I have B12 deficiency & inject once a month anyway, it took ages for them all to heal, I panic now if I get the slightest sore in my mouth or around my lips.

Omg, I hope you’re better. That’s horrible.

HeyDoodie · 01/03/2025 23:48

Give up gluten and take b12 high dose

DoubleRainbow3 · 01/03/2025 23:48

You need bloods taken.
My daughter had them a lot and was low in folate. She was put on folic acid.

Dolambslikemintsauce · 01/03/2025 23:49

Have you seen a GP and had them investigated? My toddler ds developed ME from a virus stemming from mouth ulcers.. Usually doesn't 'hit' dc under 10.... He was diagnosed at 3...youngest in the UK they said...

Constantsarechanging · 01/03/2025 23:51

Years ago I was referred to a dental hospital for mouth ulcers, aside from the toothpaste switch as mentioned above, I was advised to adjust diet to avoid typically inflammatory foods. Testing showed a b12 deficiency and since treatment (ongoing) they appear less frequently. I also get a prescribed mouthwash from the dentist which numbs my mouth which helps to eat/sleep etc.

They are truly awful, hope you have some relief soon.

Kathyparr · 01/03/2025 23:52

Please check your toothpaste. I suffered for years with multiple ulcers at a time. So painful and so regular. I stopped using toothpaste with sodium lauryl sulphate and they disappeared overnight. Can't remember the last one I had.

Noshadealltea · 01/03/2025 23:53

Watching with interest. I get minimum 2 often more huge ones when I’m due on my period. Without fail. It makes me so miserable. I didn’t get a single one when I was pregnant. Maybe the folic acid/iron suppliments are worth me looking into.

PitchforksAndProof · 01/03/2025 23:59

Totally agree with previous posts about moving away from toothpaste that contains SLS.
Switching toothpastes has made such a huge difference for me.

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