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Mouth Ulcer Symptoms

Mouth ulcers, more commonly known as canker sores, are essentially lesions that develop along the tongue, cheeks and gums. Also referred to as aphthous ulcers, this non-contagious condition is often caused by an abnormal immune response, but you may also develop oral ulcers due to irritations, injuries, allergies, diet or even stress. It may also be a result of a preexisting disorder, like HIV/AIDS, irritable bowel disease or another intestinal condition. Regardless of what prompts the formation of these sores, you'll usually experience a few telltale symptoms.

  1. Burning

    • For many people, the actual development of a mouth ulcer is often preceded by a burning or stinging sensation along the tongue, cheek or gums. It may also manifest as a tingling or prickling sensation. Usually isolated to the affected area, this sensation starts in as little as a day or two before the formation of the sore.

    Lesion

    • After the burning or tingling sensation has set in, you'll typically notice the development of the actual ulcer. For most people, this ulcer is oval to round in shape and about a quarter to a third-inch in size. Most of the time, the lesion is covered with a white layer of skin, but it may also manifest more yellow in color. When these ulcers develop, it should only take upward of two weeks to heal. In more severe cases, it could take months or years.

    Pain

    • Many times, these lesions are accompanied by some level of pain. This pain can be persistent or transitory and range from a dull discomfort to a stinging or shooting pain. The amount of pain you experience isn't based on the size and severity of the mouth ulcer, as even fairly small sores can cause a great deal of discomfort.

    Fever

    • Though not as common as other symptoms, a mouth ulcer may trigger a mild fever. This fever can range in temperature and be accompanied by some swelling or inflammation of the lymph nodes, especially within the neck. When these symptoms are present, it could be an indication that the mouth ulcers are a result of a bacterial infection.

    Lethargy

    • You may also begin to suffer from a certain amount of lethargy, weariness or fatigue from a mouth ulcer, especially in more severe outbreaks. However, this may not only be a symptom of the canker sore, but also a sign of an underlying condition that is causing the ulcers.

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