Stomatitis Quiz
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Spots in mouth
Fever blisters
Pain in the mouth
My mouth is burning
Bad breath
Loss of appetite
White spots on tongue
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Stomatitis?
Inflammation of the mouth surface causes ulcers. Various factors can cause this, such as vitamin deficiencies, medications, and autoimmunity (the body's immune system attacking itself). Often, no clear cause is found, and the ulcers heal on their own.
Typical Symptoms of Stomatitis
- A lump or bump in the mouth
- Mouth ulcers
- Diagnosed with Crohn's disease in the past
- Mouth is sensitive
- Symptoms started with mouth pain
- Burning sensation in mouth
- Pain in the mouth
- White spots in mouth or tongue
Diagnostic Questions for Stomatitis
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Have you noticed a lump or bump in your mouth?
- Do you have any mouth ulcers?
- Have you been diagnosed with Crohn's disease?
- Does your mouth sting or feel strange when you eat?
- Was mouth pain your earliest symptom?
Treatment of Stomatitis
Treatment depends on the cause. Supplements can help with vitamin deficiencies, while immune-suppressing drugs help with autoimmune conditions. Symptom relief is also possible with numbing gels and oral painkillers.
Reviewed By:
Scott Nass, MD, MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS (Primary Care)
Dr. Nass received dual medical degrees from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Charles R. Drew University in Medicine and Science. He completed Family Medicine residency at Ventura County Medical Center with subsequent fellowships at Ventura, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, George Washington University, and University of California-Irvine. He holds faculty appointments at Keck School of Medicine of USC, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and Western University of Health Sciences.
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Mar 27, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- White or yellow sores on lips
- Ulcer in the mouth
- Rash in mouth
- Small rash in the mouth
- Oral hypersensitivity
- Canker sores
- Canker sores
- Mouth is overly sensitive to cold or hot foot
- Rough patches in my mouth
- Hypersensitive mouth when I eat food
- Oral ulcer
- Rough patches on mucous membranes
- Area of tongue prickles when drinking something hot or cold
- Red dots in mouth
- Lump in the mouth that stings when eating something cold
See full list
Symptoms Related to Stomatitis
Diseases Related to Stomatitis
FAQs
Q.
Is It Mouth Cancer? Why Your Mouth Is Not Healing & Medical Next Steps
A.
Persistent mouth sores that last more than two weeks or are getting worse need evaluation, since persistence is a key warning sign of oral cancer even though most sores come from benign causes like canker sores, stomatitis, thrush, or irritation. There are several factors to consider; see below for the full list of red flags, risk factors, urgent symptoms, which clinician to see, what exams and a biopsy may involve, and practical steps you can take now that could change your next steps.
References:
* D'Cruz AK, et al. Oral squamous cell carcinoma: An overview of molecular and clinical aspects. *Semin Cancer Biol*. 2022 Jun;82:1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.01.002. Epub 2022 Feb 7. PMID: 35149174.
* Ali MA, et al. Early Diagnosis and Screening of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Overview. *J Clin Med*. 2021 Dec 16;10(24):5913. doi: 10.3390/jcm10245913. PMID: 34945113; PMCID: PMC8705607.
* Singh PK, et al. Differential diagnosis of oral potentially malignant disorders and squamous cell carcinoma. *J Oral Maxillofac Pathol*. 2020 Jul-Dec;24(2):281-286. doi: 10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_108_20. Epub 2020 Sep 11. PMID: 33456384; PMCID: PMC7803606.
* Khan S, et al. Risk Factors and Prevention of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Review. *Cancers (Basel)*. 2022 Mar 16;14(6):1481. doi: 10.3390/cancers14061481. PMID: 35327852; PMCID: PMC8946765.
* Al-Maweri AA, et al. Oral biopsy: a review of the diagnostic and treatment applications. *J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg*. 2020 Oct;121(5):611-615. doi: 10.1016/j.jormas.2020.02.003. Epub 2020 Feb 13. PMID: 32061386.
Q.
Persistent mouth bump? Why oral mucoceles form & medical next steps
A.
A persistent mouth bump is often an oral mucocele, a benign fluid-filled cyst from a blocked or injured minor salivary gland that commonly appears on the inner lower lip and may shrink or rupture on its own within 2 to 4 weeks. There are several factors to consider; see below for when to watch and when to seek care, including if it lasts beyond 2 to 3 weeks, recurs, becomes firm, painful, bleeds, grows fast, or affects speaking or swallowing, and for treatment options like minor surgery or laser that lower recurrence.
References:
* Guimaraes BS, Cavalcanti CE, da Silva E Sousa M, Medeiros AMC, Azevedo RA, de Santana Santos T. Oral Mucoceles: A Clinicopathologic Review and Update. Head Neck Pathol. 2021 Mar;15(1):198-207. doi: 10.1007/s12105-020-01201-z. Epub 2020 Jul 15. PMID: 32666324. PMCID: PMC7931327.
* Mohan S, Narayan TV, Bhasker Rao C. Mucocele: a review of current concepts and clinical challenges. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2014 Apr;72(4):689-97. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2013.10.027. PMID: 24332851.
* Bavle RM, Shenoy SM, Singh AK, Rajkumar K, Marathe S. Oral mucocele: A clinicopathological study of 115 cases. Indian J Dent Res. 2017 Jan-Feb;28(1):52-55. doi: 10.4103/0970-9290.201799. PMID: 28220899.
* Cortezzi SS, Parreiras F, De Aguiar MS, De Ávila-Rodrigues R. Oral Mucoceles: Retrospective Clinical and Histopathological Study. J Craniofac Surg. 2017 Nov;28(8):e753-e756. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000003923. PMID: 29019958.
* Kokong D, Raman R, Nor ZN, Ngui K, Chai WML. Ranula: A comprehensive review of current treatment options. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2015 May;73(5):909-19. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2014.12.028. Epub 2014 Dec 19. PMID: 25771343.
Q.
Sore Mouth? Why Your Mouth Is Hurting & Medical Next Steps
A.
Mouth pain is commonly caused by canker or cold sores, irritation from products or dental issues, gum disease, thrush, dry mouth, or vitamin deficiencies, and most cases improve with gentle care like salt-water rinses and avoiding triggers; seek urgent care for fast swelling, trouble breathing, high fever, or spreading infection, and see a dentist or doctor if pain is severe or lasts longer than 10 to 14 days. There are several factors to consider. See below for a complete guide to causes, red flags, who is higher risk, at-home relief, medical tests and treatments, and prevention so you can choose the right next steps.
References:
* Ruggiero SL, Dodson TB, Gateno J, et al. Oral mucosal diseases: a review of selected conditions. Clin Dermatol. 2021 Jul-Aug;39(4):595-603. PMID: 34103233.
* Zakrzewska JM. Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Review of the Current Understanding and Management. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2020 Spring;34(2):167-179. PMID: 32301980.
* Sarode SC, Sarode GS, Ambulgekar P, et al. Common oral lesions and their management: a systematic review. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2020 Oct-Dec;24(4):645. PMID: 33505051.
* El-Sayed S, El-Masri Y, Zaki L. Oral Medicine: An Update for the General Practitioner. Int J Dent. 2023 Feb 23;2023:7632971. PMID: 36873528.
* Akpan A, Morgan R. Oral candidiasis. Postgrad Med J. 2023 Oct;99(1176):711-717. PMID: 36792370.
Q.
Painful Mouth Ulcer? Why It Won't Heal + Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
A painful mouth ulcer that will not heal is often due to repeated irritation, nutrient deficiencies like iron, folate, or B12, stress or hormonal shifts, infection, or an underlying condition; rarely, a sore lasting over 3 weeks or with hard, raised edges may signal oral cancer. Medically approved next steps include reducing irritation, using salt water rinses and protective or steroid gels, checking iron and B vitamin levels, managing stress, and seeing a dentist or doctor if it persists beyond 2 to 3 weeks, is severe or recurrent, or comes with fever, swollen glands, weight loss, or trouble swallowing or breathing; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete guidance below.
References:
* Scully C, et al. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: Pathogenesis, Clinical Features, and Management. J Clin Exp Dent. 2017 Jan 1;9(1):e115-e123. PMID: 28144365
* Patel S, et al. Oral Mucosal Lesions: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 Oct;10(10):ZE01-ZE05. PMID: 27891461
* Huling IA, et al. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: An Overview of Current Management. J Clin Exp Dent. 2021 Jul 1;13(7):e719-e727. PMID: 34322409
* Daniels TE, et al. Oral Ulcerations: A Clinical Guide for Diagnosis and Treatment. Dent Clin North Am. 2020 Jan;64(1):1-13. PMID: 31735252
* Al-Hashimi I, et al. Oral lichen planus: a review on etiopathogenesis and treatment. Saudi Med J. 2017 Jul;38(7):697-703. PMID: 28699638
Q.
Painful Canker Sore? Why Your Mouth Is Inflamed & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Canker sores are common, noncontagious mouth ulcers that usually heal in 1 to 2 weeks, but there are several factors to consider; triggers include minor injury, stress, certain foods or SLS toothpaste, and deficiencies in B12, folate, iron, or zinc, and recurrent or large sores can signal conditions like celiac disease or IBD. See complete details below. Medically approved next steps include avoiding irritants, using OTC numbing gels or protective pastes, and seeing a clinician for topical steroids, testing, or urgent care if a sore lasts more than 3 weeks, is very painful, or comes with fever or swollen nodes. For a step-by-step plan, prevention tips, and key red flags, see below.
References:
* Woo SB, et al. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis. Dent Clin North Am. 2021 Apr;65(2):239-250. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2020.12.001. Epub 2021 Feb 4. PMID: 33602521.
* Rivera-Hidalgo F, et al. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A comprehensive review. J Esthet Restor Dent. 2020 Oct;32 Suppl 1:S3-S13. doi: 10.1111/jerd.12658. Epub 2020 May 30. PMID: 32470940.
* Belenguer-Guallar I, et al. Management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. A systematic review. J Clin Exp Dent. 2017 Jan 1;9(1):e1-e10. doi: 10.4317/jced.53389. PMID: 28144243; PMCID: PMC5217409.
* Scully C, et al. Aphthous stomatitis. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2024 Jan 20;49(1):16-24. doi: 10.1093/ced/llad469. PMID: 38240409.
* Pedersen A, et al. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: Pathogenesis and Management. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2019 Jun;77(6):1227-1234. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2019.01.002. Epub 2019 Jan 9. PMID: 30870377.
Q.
Mouth on Fire? Why Your Canker Sore Stings & Medically Approved Relief
A.
Canker sores sting because the ulcer exposes sensitive nerve endings and triggers inflammation, and acids or spicy foods and some toothpastes can further irritate them; most are harmless and heal in 7 to 14 days. Medically approved relief includes topical numbing gels and hydrocortisone dental paste, gentle salt or baking soda rinses, over the counter pain relievers, protective barrier pastes, and avoiding irritants; see a clinician if sores are large, frequent, last over 3 weeks, or come with fever or swallowing problems. There are several factors to consider, including possible nutrient deficiencies and medical conditions, so see the complete details below to guide your next steps.
References:
* Al-Mubarak H, Al-Hazmi J, Al-Mubarak A, Al-Amri A, Al-Qudairi N, Al-Mubarak H. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A review of diagnosis and management. J Clin Exp Dent. 2020 Jun 29;12(6):e609-e616. doi: 10.4317/jced.57143. PMID: 32676101; PMCID: PMC7331908.
* Rivera C, Rivera C, Rivera C, Rivera C, Rivera C, Rivera C, et al. New perspectives in recurrent aphthous stomatitis: etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2023 Aug;48(8):912-920. doi: 10.1093/ced/llad079. Epub 2023 Apr 6. PMID: 37025983.
* Akintoye SO, DaCosta-Akar VJ, Pereira-Maciel F, Ajibike S. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A systematic review of etiology, predisposing factors, and management. Dent Clin North Am. 2014 Jan;58(1):157-76. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2013.09.006. Epub 2013 Nov 26. PMID: 24286815; PMCID: PMC4025739.
* Woo SB, Challacombe SJ. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis: Update on etiopathogenesis and treatment. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2017 May-Aug;21(2):165-171. doi: 10.4103/jomfp.JOMFP_129_17. PMID: 28559639; PMCID: PMC5443195.
* Liu H, Hu C, Yang J, Zhu C. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis: Pathogenesis and immunologic abnormalities. J Oral Pathol Med. 2012 May;41(5):367-76. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2011.01103.x. Epub 2012 Jan 9. PMID: 22221235.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Giannetti L, Murri Dello Diago A, Lo Muzio L. Recurrent aphtous stomatitis. Minerva Stomatol. 2018 Jun;67(3):125-128. doi: 10.23736/S0026-4970.18.04137-7. Epub 2018 Jan 11. PMID: 29332375.
https://www.minervamedica.it/en/journals/minerva-dental-and-oral%20science/article.php?cod=R18Y2018N03A0125Cifuentes M, Davari P, Rogers RS 3rd. Contact stomatitis. Clin Dermatol. 2017 Sep-Oct;35(5):435-440. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2017.06.007. Epub 2017 Jun 24. PMID: 28916024.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0738081X17301037?via%3DihubFeller L, Wood NH, Khammissa RA, Lemmer J. Review: allergic contact stomatitis. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2017 May;123(5):559-565. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2017.02.007. Epub 2017 Feb 21. PMID: 28407984.
https://www.oooojournal.net/article/S2212-4403(17)30066-4/fulltext