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General health

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Original poster

HUGE mouth ulcer!

15 replies

Bullfinch13 · 27/03/2025 11:27

I’ve had a mouth ulcer for days now and it’s impacting me so much - has anyone got any remedies that actually work? It’s causing facial pain, my cheek has swollen quite badly, jaw pain, headache (presumably because of how I am holding my jaw). I can’t eat, can’t open my mouth, can’t talk properly and can’t sleep due to the pain. I’ve had mouth ulcers before obviously but this one is a beast, I’ve never experienced anything like it. It’s behind my upper wisdom tooth so I think it keeps its catching.

Ive been doing salt water rinses and bicarb rinses but it will not bugger off! Anyone used anything that genuinely works? I’m also taking multivitamins to boost myself busy I’m barely eating and I’m ravenous (just got some Huel as a temporary thing).

I have antibiotics left over from something else which I wonder if I should take as I wonder if it’s infected but I can’t see my dentist for another week.

I’ll try anything at this point!

OP posts:

Original poster

Bullfinch13 · 27/03/2025 12:42

Bumping as I’m utterly miserable

OP posts:

EBearhug · 27/03/2025 12:46

That was my main glandular fever symptom when I was 19. Basically the whole inside of my cheek. I padded it out with cotton wool so I could sleep, else it was just too sore when touching on my teeth.

I assume you've tried to get a GP appointment? If not, you probably should.

Not being able to eat or sleep properly will affect your ability to heal well, too.

Original poster

Bullfinch13 · 27/03/2025 12:48

EBearhug · 27/03/2025 12:46

That was my main glandular fever symptom when I was 19. Basically the whole inside of my cheek. I padded it out with cotton wool so I could sleep, else it was just too sore when touching on my teeth.

I assume you've tried to get a GP appointment? If not, you probably should.

Not being able to eat or sleep properly will affect your ability to heal well, too.

No I didn’t want to bother the GP with an ulcer, I took my son recently about something and was made to feel like a time waster. I did wonder about asking the pharmacist because of the cheek swelling but the queue was massive when I stopped in earlier.

cotton wool is an idea but I’d be terrified of choking on it in my sleep!

OP posts:

Christwosheds · 27/03/2025 12:49

Agree it sounds bad enough for a GP visit. If you get them often then it’s a good idea to get tested for coeliac disease.

Original poster

Bullfinch13 · 27/03/2025 12:51

Christwosheds · 27/03/2025 12:49

Agree it sounds bad enough for a GP visit. If you get them often then it’s a good idea to get tested for coeliac disease.

I don’t get them often, probably one a year so I don’t think it’s an issue. I’ve been quite run down so I thought it was that but this is making everything worse!

Maybe I will see if it gets any better tomorrow. If the swelling is still there I will definitely try but it’s a two week wait for my GPs for an appointment!

OP posts:

nessiesnotreal · 27/03/2025 12:54

I get these. Once or twice a year, definitely when I have been run down or stressed and always tucked up by my wisdom teeth.

The only thing that works for me is gargling with Oraldene. It is a mouthwash and its specifically for mouth ulcers and mouth and throat infections. I get mine from Amazon Prime. But its the only thing that has worked for me alongside taking ibuprofen for swelling.

I had one just after Christmas and I tried to heal it on my own as I had run out of Oraldene but nothing worked. Several days in with no change, I ordered some on Prime, started using it and it started getting better almost immediately.

If you haven't yet tried this then I would definitely say its worth a shot. If you have, then maybe you need a visit to the pharmacist at least and maybe they can recommend something for you.

Housemouse245 · 27/03/2025 12:59

I am not a health professional but I had a beastly one recently and to help me get some sleep I sprayed it with the numbing throat spray (Chloraseptic). To actually get rid of it I rinsed with Corsodyl mouthwash but it still took about 3 days before it was ok to deal with. Horrible, hope you’re feeling better soon OP.

suburberphobe · 27/03/2025 12:59

it’s a two week wait for my GPs for an appointment!

That is shocking!

Isn't there a nr. you can call for medical stuff? (I don't live in UK).

Princesspollyyy · 27/03/2025 12:59

My son had a massive one recently, it was actually a canker sore as it was so large. I asked in the chemist and was given anbesol liquid. It’s really good and numbs the area really quickly. His sore has now healed.

Hickorydickorydog · 27/03/2025 13:02

As above- Anbesol - get it from the pharmacy . Clears mine up in a day or two.

Original poster

Bullfinch13 · 27/03/2025 13:05

Thank you for everyone’s recommendations, I’m going to head back to the pharmacy for their recommendations based upon the suggestions made here.

OP posts:

Lunalaluna · 27/03/2025 13:07

So I recently had hand foot and mouth. My main symptom was absolutely huge horrific ulcers all over my tongue, roof of mouth, gums, throat. It was agony and I can absolutely feel your pain. I spoke to my GP and there was nothing they could do except recommend over the counter stuff.

I found swilling fridge cold milk round my mouth soothing and provided a tiny bit of relief.also found warm peppermint tea soothing.

I bought difflam liquid - basically an anaesthetic that you gargle. It helped a tiny bit.

I took ibuprofen as that takes down swelling better than paracetamol.

I found anbesol liquid useless.

unfortunately though nothing helped that much and I just had to ride it out.

Original poster

Bullfinch13 · 27/03/2025 13:12

Lunalaluna · 27/03/2025 13:07

I found swilling fridge cold milk round my mouth soothing and provided a tiny bit of relief.also found warm peppermint tea soothing.

I bought difflam liquid - basically an anaesthetic that you gargle. It helped a tiny bit.

I took ibuprofen as that takes down swelling better than paracetamol.

I found anbesol liquid useless.

unfortunately though nothing helped that much and I just had to ride it out.

Switching to ibuprofen is a good idea. I’m just surprised at the size of the thing and how much it’s affected the general use of my face!
I’ll look at difflam and ask the pharmacist about topical recommendations.

Sorry you had so many, it must have been extremely uncomfortable for you. X

OP posts:

Original poster

Bullfinch13 · 27/03/2025 13:32

suburberphobe · 27/03/2025 12:59

it’s a two week wait for my GPs for an appointment!

That is shocking!

Isn't there a nr. you can call for medical stuff? (I don't live in UK).

Not for something like this. It is shocking, some appointments are taking six weeks for things not deemed of any urgency, it’s terrible.

OP posts:

Twinkletoes10 · 27/03/2025 14:06

I get whoppers like this too . Well I used to - until my fantastic doctor told me to get Lysine supplements, you can get them in store/online at Holland and Barrett. They are both a cure and a remedy, you'll find they will have it cleared up in a day or too. Also taking one every other day prevents them completely. I haven't had one in years. I'm quite surprised that a lot pharmacists and doctors don't know about them. I'm sceptical that the other rubbish remedies make them more money 🤔

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