9521 US Hwy 290 W,
Suite 103
Austin, TX 78737
Austin, TX 78737
If you’re one of the estimated 20% of people who happen to develop mouth ulcers, you know just how uncomfortable and painful they can be. The good news is that ulcers in the mouth tend to go away on their own within about two weeks, are usually harmless, and don’t necessarily need treatment from your dentist in Austin. However, naturally, you may be wondering what caused an ulcer in the first place.
An ulcer in the mouth is one of those things that may not have a known cause, but we do know that there are things that can contribute to an ulcer developing such as ill-fitting dentures or accidentally biting your cheek or tongue. On the other hand, if there is no obvious case of an injury, ulcers can develop as a result of:
Additionally, people with certain medical conditions may be at increased risk of getting an ulcer. Some of the medical conditions that can contribute to ulcer development include:
If you have one of these conditions, make sure to tell your dentist in Austin.
Many times, ulcers and their symptoms can be treated at home by rinsing your mouth out with warm salt water a few times a day, avoiding spicy foods, or using an over-the-counter topical anesthetic. For severe ulcers, you are prescribed corticosteroids or antiseptic treatments.
Most ulcers should disappear within 10-14 days. But if an ulcer lasts longer than 20 days, you should schedule an appointment with your Austin dentist. Other signs to look out for are:
While an ulcer in the mouth can be a sign of oral cancer, this usually only applies to a few cases. Ulcers associated with oral cancer are most commonly under or on the tongue, but they can develop anywhere in the mouth. While any type of cancer is certainly concerning, oral cancer can often be treated successfully, especially when it’s caught early.
Having an ulcer in your mouth can certainly be concerning, be rest assured that oftentimes it will go away on its own and typically isn’t a sign of a larger problem. However, if you’re experiencing an ulcer that’s stuck around longer than three weeks or are simply worried about any ulcer, see your dentist in Austin. We’re always happy to help and believe that extra precaution is better than waiting too long.
“Always a pleasure visiting this team of amazing people. Not only do they do an excellent job of taking care of me, they remember details of my life that I would not expect them to. That’s a really great personal touch. This is not your average dentists office. This is a 5 Star dentists office.”
“I called in the morning, said I had pain and needed to see someone. They worked me in that afternoon and I left with a solution. Now that is service!”
“Always excellent, pain-free, state-of-the-art care at Broberg Family Dental.”
“Wonderful family dentistry. Everyone is so kind and helpful. I would recommend them to anyone. My youngest no longer has anxiety going to the dentist. Five stars all the way!”