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Mouth ulcers - Overview

Alternative Names

Oral ulcer; Stomatitis - ulcerative; Ulcer - mouth

Definition of Mouth ulcers:

Mouth ulcers are sores or open lesions in the mouth. (See also mouth sores or canker sores)

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Mouth ulcers are caused by many disorders. These include:

The skin lesion of histoplasmosis may also appear as a mouth ulcer.

Canker sores are more common in young adults than in children or older adults.

Oral thrush

Canker sore (aphthous ulcer)

Lichen planus on the oral mucosa

Mouth sores

Reviewed last on: 2/1/2009
Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Gonsalves WC, Chi AC, Neville BW. Common oral lesions: Part I. Superficial mucosal lesions. Am Fam Physician. 2007;75(4):501-507.

Gonsalves WC, Chi AC, Neville BW. Common oral lesions: Part II. Masses and neoplasia. Am Fam Physician. 2007;75(4):509-512.

Gonsalves WC, Wrightson AS, Henry RG. Common oral conditions in older persons. Am Fam Physician. 2008;78(7):845-852.

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