Mouth Ulcer Remedies for Kids

How to Identify Mouth Ulcers in Kids

One of the ways to know if your child has a mouth ulcer is by observing a burning or tingling sensation in their mouth. The telltale sign is the appearance of round, white sores on the inner lining of the mouth, gums, tongue, or tonsil area. After a day or so, these sores may burst, leaving behind open, shallow, whitish or yellowish ulcers with a red border. These wounds can be quite painful, especially when your child eats salty, spicy, or sour foods. In case of an infection-caused ulcer, your child might also have a fever.

Treatment Options at Home

Maintaining a healthy diet can boost your child's immunity and help their body fight the infection causing the sore. However, under no circumstances should you use a topical numbing gel or medication to treat mouth sores in children without first consulting a dentist or pediatrician. Over-the-counter options like Tylenol or ibuprofen can help minimize the pain, but always follow the directions and suggested dosage on the packaging. Dental products such as Maalox or milk of magnesia can soothe discomfort by coating the ulcer. Topical anesthetics like Orajel and Anbesol can numb the mouth and relieve pain, but must be applied directly to the affected area. Antiseptics used as mouthwashes twice a day can reduce symptoms, but may not be favored by younger children. A warm saltwater rinse can also be effective if your child is old enough to gargle safely. Some natural substances like echinacea and licorice root have shown potential in treating mouth ulcers, but consult your child's doctor before incorporating them into the treatment plan. If needed, your child may be prescribed steroids by a doctor or dentist for faster healing.

Prevention and Avoidance

Preventive dental care is essential for improving your child's oral hygiene and reducing the risk of mouth ulcers. Avoid mouthwashes or toothpaste with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Ensure your child has a balanced diet and avoids overly spicy, salty, or acidic foods. If you suspect your child has a mouth ulcer, especially if it's unusually large, lasts longer than a few weeks, or is accompanied by other symptoms like fever or unexplained weight loss, it's crucial to seek professional treatment. Pediatric dentists specialize in working with children to ensure they have good oral hygiene and are less likely to suffer from mouth ulcers and other mouth diseases.

Causes of Mouth Ulcers in Kids

Most single mouth ulcers in children are caused by avoidable factors such as biting the inside of the cheek, badly fitting dentures or braces, cuts or burns during eating or drinking, food intolerances or allergies, damaging the gums with a toothbrush, or feeling tired, stressed, or anxious. Sometimes, they are triggered by uncontrollable factors like hormonal changes, genetic predisposition, vitamin deficiencies, certain medications, or stopping smoking. Multiple mouth ulcers can be a symptom of conditions such as hand, foot and mouth disease, oral lichen planus, Crohn's disease, coeliac disease, or a weakened immune system.

Professional Diagnosis and Treatment

If a mouth ulcer lasts longer than 3 weeks, is different from usual, bleeds, becomes more painful and red, or if you have other symptoms like ulcers elsewhere on the body or painful, red, or swollen joints, it's best to see a dentist or GP. A GP or dentist may prescribe stronger medicine such as steroids, painkilling gels, ointments, sprays, or tablets, or mouthwashes to kill or remove germs in the mouth for severe, persistent, or infected mouth ulcers.