Ulser mulut (a mouth ulcer) is a small, painful sore inside the mouth, usually on the inside of the cheeks or lips, or on the tongue. Most mouth ulcers are harmless, are not contagious, and clear up on their own within a week or 2. Common triggers include biting your cheek, a sharp tooth, hot or hard food, stress and tiredness, and low levels of iron, folic acid or vitamin B. A salt water rinse, softer food and pharmacy gels or mouthwashes can ease the pain. See a doctor or dentist if an ulcer lasts longer than 3 weeks, because a mouth ulcer that does not heal can sometimes be a sign of mouth cancer.
What is ulser mulut? Signs of a mouth ulcer
According to the NHS, mouth ulcers usually appear inside the mouth on the cheeks or lips, and can also appear on the tongue. You may have more than 1 ulcer at a time.
The most common type of repeated mouth ulcer is called recurrent aphthous stomatitis. A 2022 review describes these ulcers as small sores with a red edge and a yellow or grey base, and estimates that they affect about 1 in 5 people.
- Mouth ulcers are not contagious.
- They usually heal on their own within 1 to 2 weeks.
- They are rarely a sign of anything serious, but they can make eating, drinking and brushing your teeth painful.
Ulser mulut is different from ulser perut (a stomach ulcer), which affects the stomach and can cause stomach pain and indigestion; see our guide to gastrik.
Punca ulser mulut: what causes mouth ulcers?
According to the NHS, most single mouth ulcers are caused by things you can try to avoid, such as:
- biting the inside of your cheek;
- badly fitting dentures, braces, rough fillings or a sharp tooth;
- cuts or burns while eating or drinking, for example from hard food or hot drinks;
- a food intolerance or allergy;
- damaging your gums with a toothbrush or irritating toothpaste;
- feeling tired, stressed or anxious.
Mouth ulcers can also be triggered by things you cannot always control:
- hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy;
- your genes, as some families get mouth ulcers more often;
- a vitamin or mineral deficiency, such as iron, zinc, folic acid, vitamin B or vitamin D;
- medicines, including some NSAID painkillers, beta blockers or nicorandil;
- stopping smoking, as some people get mouth ulcers when they first stop.
If you have several mouth ulcers, the NHS says they can be a symptom of hand, foot and mouth disease, oral lichen planus (a white, lacy pattern inside the cheeks), digestive conditions such as Crohn's disease and coeliac disease, or a weakened immune system from a condition like HIV or lupus.
Ubat ulser mulut: how do you treat a mouth ulcer?
Mouth ulcers need time to heal and there is no quick fix, so there is no single "ubat ulser mulut paling mujarab". Avoiding things that irritate the ulcer can help it heal faster, reduce pain and lower the chance of it coming back. The NHS recommends:
Do:
- use a soft-bristled toothbrush;
- drink cool drinks through a straw;
- eat softer foods;
- get regular dental check-ups;
- eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Don't:
- eat very spicy, salty or acidic food;
- eat rough, crunchy food, such as toast or crisps;
- drink very hot or acidic drinks, such as fruit juice;
- use toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS).
Salt water rinse. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, rinse your mouth, then spit it out. Do not swallow it. You can repeat this as often as you like.
Pharmacy treatments. A pharmacist can recommend a treatment to speed up healing, prevent infection or reduce pain, such as:
- an antimicrobial mouthwash;
- a painkilling tablet, mouthwash, gel or spray;
- corticosteroid lozenges;
- a salt (saline) mouthwash.
For severe, persistent or infected ulcers, a doctor or dentist may prescribe stronger medicine, such as a steroid mouth spray or tablets, painkilling gels or sprays, or mouthwashes to kill germs. A 2022 review lists topical corticosteroids among the first-line treatments for recurrent mouth ulcers.
Ulser lidah: why do ulcers appear on the tongue?
Ulcers on the tongue (ulser lidah, including ulcers under the tongue) usually have the same causes as other mouth ulcers, such as accidentally biting your tongue, a sharp tooth, a rough filling or braces. Treat them in the same way, and see a dentist about any sharp tooth or rough filling that keeps rubbing the same spot. For pain in a tooth itself, see our guide to sakit gigi.
A sore, red tongue together with mouth ulcers and tiredness can be a sign of low vitamin B12; see our guide to vitamin B12. See a dentist or doctor if a tongue ulcer lasts longer than 3 weeks, or if you notice a red or white patch or a lump on your tongue.
Why do mouth ulcers keep coming back?
Some people get mouth ulcers again and again. Triggers such as stress, minor injuries to the mouth, hormonal changes and family history can all play a part. If your ulcers keep coming back, a doctor may check for an underlying cause, such as:
- low iron, folic acid or vitamin B12, which can be checked with a blood test; see our guide to kurang darah;
- digestive conditions such as coeliac disease or Crohn's disease;
- Behçet's disease, a rare condition that causes repeated mouth ulcers together with genital ulcers and other symptoms.
Vitamin B12 and mouth ulcers. A small randomised trial of 58 people with recurrent mouth ulcers found that those who took 1,000 mcg of vitamin B12 under the tongue every day for 6 months had shorter outbreaks, fewer ulcers and less pain than those who took a placebo, whatever their starting vitamin B12 level. This was one small study, so more research is needed. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking a supplement, and do not use a supplement instead of getting long-lasting ulcers checked.
Ulser mulut, cold sores, oral thrush or HFMD?
Several other conditions can cause sores in the mouth. This table summarises how to tell them apart, based on NHS information:
| Ulser mulut | Cold sores | Oral thrush | HFMD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it looks like | Round or oval sores inside the cheeks or lips, or on the tongue | Blisters on the lips or around the mouth, often after tingling, itching or burning | Red mouth with white patches that leave red spots when wiped off | Painful mouth ulcers with a rash of spots on the hands and feet |
| Cause | Injury, stress, hormones, low vitamins or minerals and other triggers | A virus | Candida fungus | A virus, common in young children |
| Contagious? | No | Yes | Not in adults | Yes |
If your child has mouth ulcers with a fever and a rash on the hands and feet, see our guide to HFMD.
When should you see a doctor or dentist?
According to the NHS, see a dentist or doctor if your mouth ulcer:
- lasts longer than 3 weeks;
- is different from other mouth ulcers you have had, for example bigger than usual or near the back of your throat;
- bleeds or becomes more painful and red, which may be a sign of infection.
Also see a doctor if you have mouth ulcers together with ulcers elsewhere on your body, such as your skin or genitals, or painful, red or swollen joints.
Mouth cancer warning signs. Although most mouth ulcers are harmless, a long-lasting mouth ulcer is sometimes a sign of mouth cancer (kanser mulut). The NHS lists these symptoms to get checked:
- a mouth ulcer that lasts more than 3 weeks;
- a red or white patch inside your mouth;
- a lump inside your mouth, on your lip, or in your neck or throat;
- pain in your mouth that does not go away;
- difficulty swallowing or speaking, or a hoarse voice that does not go away;
- losing weight without trying.
You may be more likely to get mouth cancer if you smoke or chew tobacco, betel nut (pinang) or paan, or drink a lot of alcohol. These symptoms are common and are usually caused by other conditions, but if they are caused by cancer, finding it early may make it easier to treat.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is ulser mulut in English?
Ulser mulut is the Malay term for a mouth ulcer: a small, painful, round or oval sore inside the mouth, usually on the inside of the cheeks or lips, or on the tongue. Most are harmless, are not contagious, and heal on their own within 1 to 2 weeks.
What causes mouth ulcers (punca ulser mulut)?
Most single mouth ulcers are caused by things like biting your cheek, a sharp tooth or braces, burns from hot food or drinks, irritating toothpaste, or feeling tired or stressed. Hormonal changes, family history, low iron, zinc, folic acid, vitamin B or vitamin D, some medicines, and stopping smoking can also trigger them.
What is the best ubat ulser mulut?
There is no quick fix, and most mouth ulcers heal on their own within 1 to 2 weeks. A pharmacist can recommend a painkilling gel, spray or mouthwash, an antimicrobial mouthwash, corticosteroid lozenges, or a salt water rinse to ease pain and help healing. See a doctor or dentist if an ulcer lasts longer than 3 weeks.
How do I get rid of a mouth ulcer fast (cara hilangkan ulser mulut)?
Mouth ulcers need time to heal, but you can help by rinsing with warm salt water, using a soft toothbrush, eating softer foods, drinking cool drinks through a straw, and avoiding spicy, salty, acidic or crunchy foods and toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate.
Why do I get ulcers on my tongue (ulser lidah)?
Ulcers on the tongue usually have the same causes as other mouth ulcers, such as biting your tongue, a sharp tooth or a rough filling. A sore, red tongue together with mouth ulcers and tiredness can be a sign of low vitamin B12. See a dentist or doctor if a tongue ulcer lasts longer than 3 weeks.
Can vitamin B12 help mouth ulcers?
Low vitamin B12 can cause mouth ulcers, so a doctor may check your levels if ulcers keep coming back. One small trial found that people with recurrent mouth ulcers who took vitamin B12 for 6 months had fewer and shorter outbreaks, but more research is needed. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking a supplement.
When is a mouth ulcer serious?
See a dentist or doctor if a mouth ulcer lasts longer than 3 weeks, is bigger or different from usual, bleeds or becomes more painful and red, or comes with ulcers elsewhere on the body or painful joints. A mouth ulcer that does not heal can sometimes be a sign of mouth cancer, so it is best to get it checked.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor, dentist or pharmacist. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
- Mouth ulcers — NHS
- Symptoms of mouth cancer — NHS
- Causes of mouth cancer — NHS
- Cold sores — NHS
- Oral thrush (mouth thrush) — NHS
- Behçet's disease — NHS
- Lau CB, Smith GP. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A comprehensive review and recommendations on therapeutic options. Dermatol Ther. 2022;35(6):e15500.
- Volkov I, Rudoy I, Freud T, et al. Effectiveness of vitamin B12 in treating recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Am Board Fam Med. 2009;22(1):9-16.
