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Conditions
MouthUlcers
Painful sores inside the mouth - on the tongue, gums, inner cheeks, or lips. Usually harmless and self-limiting but can be very uncomfortable.
Get assessed
From $49.95 · No appointment needed
6 min
avg cert turnaround
13 min
avg doctor review
2
days a week
30%
refund if declined
Symptoms
CommonsymptomsofMouthUlcers
An AHPRA-registered doctor assesses these symptoms online - no in-person visit required.
Painful sores inside the mouth
Round or oval white/grey centres with red borders
Burning or tingling before the ulcer appears
Difficulty eating, drinking, or talking
Multiple ulcers at once (in some cases)
Our Scope
Howwecanhelp
InstantMed handles many common conditions entirely online. Here's what fits our service.
What we can help with
- Assessment of mouth ulcer pattern
- Treatment advice and prescriptions (topical steroids, antimicrobial mouthwash)
- Investigation of recurrent ulcers (blood tests for deficiencies)
- Medical certificates if eating/speaking is significantly affected
What needs in-person care
- Biopsy of suspicious lesions (needs dentist/specialist)
- Assessment of ulcers that could be oral cancer (needs in-person examination)
- Treatment of severe autoimmune mouth conditions
Depending on your situation, an AHPRA-registered doctor may be able to issue a medical certificate or arrange a repeat prescription after reviewing your request online.
Clinical Guidance
Whentoseeadoctor
These indicators suggest you should seek professional medical advice promptly.
Signs you need a doctor
- 1Ulcers lasting more than 3 weeks
- 2Very large or unusually painful ulcers
- 3Frequent recurrences
- 4Ulcers with fever or feeling generally unwell
- 5You need treatment advice
Seek emergency care if
- Ulcer that has been present for more than 3 weeks and is getting larger (possible oral cancer)
- Severe difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Mouth ulcers with widespread skin blisters
Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department
Clinical Insight
Adoctor'sperspectiveonMouthUlcers
InstantMed Clinical Team
AHPRA-registered medical team · Reviewed 2026-03
Mouth ulcers (aphthous ulcers) are one of the most common oral conditions - affecting about 20% of the population at any time. Most are minor, self-limiting, and resolve in 7-14 days without treatment. What I assess is whether the ulcer pattern is typical (small, round, heals within 2 weeks) or atypical (large, persistent, multiple, or associated with other symptoms). The critical red flag is any mouth ulcer that persists beyond 3 weeks - this can be an early sign of oral cancer, particularly in smokers and heavy drinkers. I also screen for nutritional deficiencies that cause recurrent ulcers: iron, B12, and folate deficiency are treatable causes that many patients don't realise. Coeliac disease is another underdiagnosed cause of recurrent mouth ulcers.
Treatment
TreatingMouthUlcers
Most mouth ulcers (minor aphthous stomatitis) are self-limiting and resolve within 7-14 days without treatment. Management focuses on pain relief and identifying any treatable underlying cause. Topical anaesthetic gels, antimicrobial mouthwash, and for severe or recurrent cases, topical corticosteroid paste are the main therapeutic options. Nutritional deficiency screen (B12, iron, folate) should be considered for recurrent ulcers -- these are correctable causes. Any mouth ulcer persisting beyond 3 weeks requires clinical assessment to exclude oral malignancy.
Benzydamine (topical oral rinse)
Difflam Oral Rinse, Difflam Spray
Class:Non-steroidal topical anti-inflammatory / local anaesthetic
Typical dose:15ml rinse for 30-60 seconds every 1.5-3 hours; or spray 4-8 puffs directly onto ulcer
PBS:Available OTC without prescription
- Reduces pain and inflammation directly at the ulcer site
- Evidence supports benzydamine rinse for painful oral ulcers, including chemotherapy-related mucositis
- Can be used before meals to make eating more comfortable
Chlorhexidine gluconate (mouthwash)
Savacol, Corsodyl, Curasept
Class:Antiseptic antimicrobial mouthwash
Typical dose:10ml rinse for 1 minute, twice daily
PBS:Available OTC (S3, pharmacist supply) without prescription
- Antimicrobial action reduces secondary infection risk and may reduce ulcer duration
- Can stain teeth brown with prolonged use -- avoid contact with composites and use for limited periods
- Useful adjunct to topical anaesthetics for management of multiple or severe ulcers
Triamcinolone acetonide (in dental paste)
Kenalog in Orabase
Class:Topical corticosteroid
Typical dose:Apply a thin film directly to the ulcer 2-3 times daily after meals; do not rub in
PBS:PBS listed for recurrent aphthous stomatitis; $25.00 general / $7.70 concession (PBS, 2026)
- Most effective topical agent for reducing the duration and pain of aphthous ulcers
- Dental paste formulation adheres to oral mucosa, maintaining contact with the ulcer
- Evidence supports significant reduction in ulcer healing time with topical corticosteroid
- A telehealth consult can prescribe for recurrent or severe aphthous ulcers
Source: Therapeutic Guidelines -- Oral and Dental, 2023; Australian Dental Association (ADA) guidelines for management of oral mucosal lesions. This information is educational only and does not replace clinical assessment.
Specialist referral: Any mouth ulcer that has not healed after 3 weeks requires assessment by a GP or dentist to exclude oral squamous cell carcinoma -- particularly in patients who smoke or drink alcohol heavily. Refer to an oral medicine specialist or maxillofacial surgeon for biopsy of suspicious lesions, very large or multiple major aphthous ulcers, or for recurrent severe aphthous stomatitis unresponsive to topical corticosteroids.
Mouth Ulcers in Australia
Mouth ulcers affect approximately 20% of Australians at any given time
Oral cancer accounts for about 4% of all cancers in Australian men - persistent ulcers should be investigated
Iron and B12 deficiency are found in up to 20% of patients with recurrent mouth ulcers
Stress is the most commonly reported trigger for aphthous ulcers in Australian surveys
Recovery
Whattoexpect
Typical recovery timeline and return-to-work guidance for most patients.
Typical recovery
Minor ulcers: 7-14 days, usually healing without scarring. Major ulcers: 2-6 weeks, may scar. Herpetiform ulcers (clusters of small ulcers): 1-2 weeks.
Return to work
Most people work with mouth ulcers, though pain can affect speaking and eating. If ulcers are severe enough to prevent eating or make speaking painful (relevant for teaching, sales, or customer-facing roles), a short period off may be warranted.
When to reassess
See a doctor or dentist if any mouth ulcer lasts more than 3 weeks, if ulcers are very large or unusually painful, if you have frequent recurrences (monthly), or if ulcers are accompanied by other symptoms like skin rashes, joint pain, or eye inflammation.
Self-Care
ManagingMouthUlcersathome
Evidence-based tips to support your recovery alongside medical treatment.
Use a topical anaesthetic gel (Bonjela, SM-33) before meals to reduce pain while eating
Rinse with warm salt water 3-4 times daily - half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water
Avoid acidic foods (citrus, tomatoes), spicy foods, and sharp or crunchy foods while ulcers are present
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) - SLS is a known trigger
Consider whether stress or dietary triggers are contributing - B12, iron, and folate levels can be checked with a blood test
For recurrent ulcers, keep a diary of when they appear to help identify patterns (stress, menstrual cycle, specific foods)
FAQ
CommonquestionsaboutMouthUlcers
Answers to the most common questions from patients.
Common causes include minor trauma (biting the cheek, sharp food), stress, hormonal changes, vitamin deficiencies (B12, iron, folate), and certain foods (citrus, spicy food). Some people are genetically prone to them.
See a doctor or dentist if an ulcer lasts more than 3 weeks, is growing, bleeds easily, or you have unexplained lumps in the mouth or neck. Any persistent, non-healing ulcer in a smoker or heavy drinker should be assessed urgently.
Topical gels (Bonjela, SM-33), antimicrobial mouthwash (chlorhexidine), and avoiding acidic/spicy foods speed healing. For severe or recurrent ulcers, a doctor may prescribe topical corticosteroid paste.
Common aphthous ulcers are NOT contagious. Cold sores (which can appear on the lips) ARE contagious. The two are often confused but are different conditions.
Ready to get help with Mouth Ulcers?
Australian-registered doctors review your request when available.
Full refund if the doctor declines.