Mouth ulcers ruining my life!

[Lemmings123]

Ok slightly over dramatic but does anyone else have this problem? I've suffered with these for so long and they are so painful, the only time I've ever been free of them is during pregnancy but obviously I can't get pregnant all the time. I've had all the blood tests and nothing can be done, seems like you just have to live with it!

Has anyone else suffered so badly with mouth ulcers?

Please don't say use bonjela as I will throw my phone down the toilet

Third thread on this subject in as many weeks. Try using the advanced search function for lots of helpful tips and advice.

Vitamin B supplements prevent mine

Have the docs specifically tested you for autoimmune disorders? There are some that can cause this, also vit B12 deficiency. I've found taking zinc and changing toothpaste to sensodyne has helped a lot. Hope you get some relief

DH gets them so badly whenever he eats gluten. He's been tested for coeliac (well, just the blood test which was negative) but is definitely gluten intolerant. He ate a tiny bit of gluten the other week and had 4 ulcers the next week, having been pretty much free of them since he gave it up a year ago.

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My partner has behcets, he suffered with mouth ulcers for years and then had an outbreak so bad it landed him in hospital on a drip. His only symptom is mouth and throat ulcers. There were no tests to diagnose (that may have changed), more ruling out of other causes then fitting a set of criteria. He takes steroids to suppress his immune system so would also be suppressed during pregnancy. It was a long road to diagnosis and of course yours could be anything but wanted to throw it in as a possibility.

I used to suffer terribly, would have an ulcer bigger than a 5p piece and would last for a long time. It would cause so much pain and would make me feel so listless and depressed as I couldn't talk or eat or enjoy anything. My Dad and brothers also suffer with them.

I have a small one at the moment but I have found that taking Corsodyl mouthwash (the one specifically for gum and mouth problems) twice daily from the moment they appear really makes a difference. I dont use it all the time as it can stain the teeth with prolonged use, but I always use it with an ulcer and I havent had a beast of one for a long time x

@MacavityTheDentistsCat

Try switching to a toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulphate. It's used in very many toothpastes yet is a known cause of mouth ulcers. My DD had them lots and they went as soon as we switched.

Came on to say exactly this! Give it a try...

I have them too, red enflamed gums with occasional canker sores. I already have Coeliac and now am being investigated for Crohn's.
I tried vitamin suppliments, Dairy free, SLS free toothpastes, different toothbrushes, mouthwashes, you name it.
Get the doctor to figure it out.

I get them too. The things that helped me were switching to kingfisher toothpaste. Colgate or the normal stuff makes them worse. Also, unfortunately, I realised the foods with loads of sugar in gives them to me. So chocolate or ice cream. It’s like the sugar burns my mouth. Luckily home made cakes are still ok. Bongela is a load of shit but the anbesol liquid is very good. It stings so much when you put it on but then you’ll have about half an hour pain free. So I use it before meals. Use a cotton bud if that helps.

Not a medical professional, but in your position I would keep a food diary to see if I could pin point if any food was making it worse.

Sounds odd as I can tolerate dairy but chocolate definitely causes mine!

Used to suffer horrendously, GP referred me to a specialist, specialist said nothing wrong. In desperation I booked to see a homeopath, this for me, was the only thing that worked. These days I get them occasionally only, best thing that helps is anbesol (I agree that bonjela does nothing). I am also sls free in toothpaste choices.

Yes! They are a bloody nightmare! Mines are down to low iron. Have you had your levels checked?

Folate deficiency can cause mouth ulcers. Did you take folic acid during your pregnancies?

Use tcp for the pain. Stinks but really really helps.

I was getting two or three or more very painful mouth ulcers every few weeks or so that would take a couple of weeks to clear up. The tongue ones were the worst - my eyes would stream all day due to the pain. I tried SLS free toothpaste and iron, lycine, B12 and vitamin B complex supplements but still got the ulcers.

By chance a couple of years ago I tried out a new healthy diet aimed at boosting mood and mental health that involved eating lots of vegetables (6 different veg portions a day and 3 fruit, nuts everyday, oily fish and legumes a couple of times a week - all the healthy things basically) and I realised a few months in that I hadn't had any mouth ulcers. Since then I have continued to eat a tonne of fruit and veg every day. It's a faff but it really does help prevent them for me. None of this may work for anyone else of course, especially if there's another medical cause, just thought it was worth sharing.

@MacavityTheDentistsCat

Try switching to a toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulphate. It's used in very many toothpastes yet is a known cause of mouth ulcers. My DD had them lots and they went as soon as we switched.

I came on to say this. It's cured DS's non stop ulcers. Also, avoid bananas. One of the pesticides they are routinely sprayed with causes mouth ulcers. But sodium laurel sulphate is one of the worst offenders. Most (but not all) Sensodyne Pronamel toothpastes are SLS-free. But check the ingredients list.

Suffered with them for years. If I eat anything sharp like crisps, I usually get an ulcer. Kenalog or triamcinolone (it's medical name) can be imported and works really well. Available on eBay because they have been imported. Don't worry about the steroid nonsense above, the amounts are minuscule, and other countries also have stringent rules on medication. The tiniest amount will cover the ulcer and stick there. I use it once overnight and the ulcer is usually gone in a day.

@MacavityTheDentistsCat

Try switching to a toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulphate. It's used in very many toothpastes yet is a known cause of mouth ulcers. My DD had them lots and they went as soon as we switched.

Another vote for this. Sensodyne Proenamel is a good one. It's certainly worth a try.

I used to have them a lot. It was clearly immuno compromised times when they flared up most never had a serious desease that caused that but stress, tiredness, overworking (include family/childcare here) and aggressive acidic foods (tomatoes, nuts, kiwis etc.) As well as poor mouth hygiene is what caused it for me. I have to be agree with another post that switching toothpaste made a huge difference as well as the daily use of a mouth wash like Listerine. But I think most of all it's regulating life/sleep/stress balance. Also I learned quite late that I was brushing badly which was also related to bad routine and stressfully disorganized living.

L-Lysine literally changed my life. Used to have them like big thumb prints - awful. Now I just don’t get them. Amazing

I take a b bit too but it’s the lysine that cures me.

If your not getting anywhere with your gp, you could try your dentist, they are able to refer you for further testing to consultants at hospital also. Mine referred me for lumpy lymph node before.

This! This is my theory. I’ve had chronic ulcers for the last couple of years, but not during pregnancy. They usually come just before my period so believe hormones are playing a large part. Had blood tests and iron was low, since taking iron, folic acid, vit D, C and magnesium every day they have more of less stopped coming, it’s a relief!

@iloveteeeeeea that sounds promising I am going to try those vitamins - I am always low in iron too.

Thanks for all the advice everyone has posted, I will be trying everything listed until they improve!