Recurrent mouth ulcers

[WFHbore2023]

In the last 6 months I don't think I've gone a month without having at least 2 mouth ulcers.
I've had a google, and it would seem they are only really cause for concern if the same ulcer lasts for longer than 3 weeks, which mine don't, but I've never suffered like this before.
Could be a sign of a B12 or iron deficiency.
Would you ask GP to run blood tests?
I know it's not life threatening, but they are bloody sore, tiresome and make me absolutely miserable

Ask for a coeliac test as well.

You could def talk to GP but in the meantime I had this and switched to SLS free toothpaste on dentist recommendations (most if not all sensodyne, check the ingredients) and haven’t had one since!

You have my sympathy I have suffered for as long as I can remember too. I started taking high strength but b12 every day and it seems to help. I did go to the doctor's and hospital too for help but all they could come up with was a steroid mouth wash.

I literally tried everything from homeopathy to different toothpastes, it's hard when they are so painful and make you feel so miserable!

Are you run down or stressed? I suffer terribly with them when I'm not looking after myself or if I'm been unwell, not sleeping well etc.

As other pp have said, it can also be deficiencies, toothpaste, food triggers. When mine are at their peak they make me feel awful. Horrendous headaches, swollen glands and fatigue. I tend to try to keep dosed up on paracetamol and use corsadyl mouthwash and regular salt rinses.

Might be worth seeing your GP for bloods if you are getting them this often. You have my sympathies, they are grim.

Very common with B12 deficiency. It was one of my first symptoms.

Don't take anything containing B12 - you need to be 4-6 months clear of any supplements containing it to get an accurate blood test. A false high due to supplements doesn't mean you are absorbing, and you'll struggle to get proper treatment. If your B12 is low, you will need injections for life, unless your deficiency is solely down to diet. Check your folate level too - low folate can cause a false normal or high B12 as your body can't utilise the B12.

Often low iron/ferritin, low folate and low B12 go hand in hand. Don't take your drs word for it if they say it's fine - check the results yourself to see if optimal or simply in range!

Loads of vit C helps when I have an outbreak

They are horrendously painful, I get them a lot..mostly when I have been sleep deprived or after a night out or if I was dehydrated. Drink drink and drink to speed up healing. Drink dioralyte, full of vitamins and minerals. Then the best relief you can get is a little bottle of ambesol, no need of prescription,from the chemist. It has an anaesthetic in it which completely numbs the ulcer or blister for approx an hour. It works immediately, about 20 seconds after u fab the liquid on your finger and then dab straight onto ulcer, it stings for few seconds and then complete relief, pain free, I would go off my head without this. I always have some at home, it's brilliant

I second the SLS free toothpaste! I swapped brands and also stopped eating tomatoes very often and I've not had them since! And I used to get them A LOT