What are mouth ulcers and how are they treated?

Mouth ulcers are among the most common and irritating problems affecting the mouth, and if you have one right now, we know how painful and limiting they can be in everyday life. Many families from EUR, Laurentina, Tre Fontane and Torrino come to our clinic asking what mouth ulcers are and how they are treated, especially when they affect children and make eating and talking difficult.

Known in medical terms as recurrent aphthous stomatitis, mouth ulcers are small sores on the lining of the mouth that can cause intense pain and considerable discomfort. At NeaBios Dental Clinic in Rome EUR Laurentina, directed by Dr Nihad Pljevljak, we treat this problem every day with modern, personalised approaches.

In this complete guide you will find everything you need to know about mouth ulcers, from their triggers to the most effective treatments, drawing on the experience of our family dental practice in the heart of EUR.

Why mouth ulcers form: the main causes

Mouth ulcers are lesions that appear as small round or oval sores, surrounded by a reddish halo and with a whitish or yellowish centre. Recurrent mouth ulcers are estimated to affect between 5% and 25% of the general population, with a peak in onset between the ages of about 10 and 20.

The main causes of mouth ulcers include:

• Mechanical injury: accidental bites, brushing too hard, orthodontic braces
• Stress and tiredness: situations that weaken the immune system
• Nutritional deficiencies: a lack of vitamin B12, folic acid, iron or zinc
• Genetic predisposition: up to 46% of patients report a family history of recurrent ulcers
• Hormonal changes: particularly during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy
• Allergic reactions: to certain foods or oral hygiene products

Dr Nihad Pljevljak has noticed that patients from EUR and Spinaceto often develop mouth ulcers during particularly stressful periods at work or school, confirming the link between physical and mental wellbeing and oral health.

What to do as soon as mouth ulcers appear

If you have just developed a mouth ulcer, there are several quick remedies you can use to ease the pain and speed up healing:

Safe and effective home remedies:

• Salt water rinses: 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water, 3-4 times a day
• Applying ice: to reduce inflammation and pain
• Avoiding irritating food: spicy, acidic, very hot or crunchy
• Hyaluronic acid gel: available from pharmacies without a prescription
• Camomile rinses: for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties

When you should see a dentist urgently:

• Ulcers that have not healed within 10-15 days
• Particularly large sores (more than 1 cm across)
• High fever together with the ulcers
• Significant difficulty swallowing
• Frequent episodes (more than 3-4 times a year)

Our patients from Cecchignola, Montagnola and Fonte Ostiense appreciate how promptly we respond: at NeaBios we offer urgent appointments for particularly painful or worrying cases.

Modern professional treatments for mouth ulcers

At our dental clinic in Laurentina, we use advanced technologies to treat mouth ulcers effectively and speed up healing:

Innovative treatments available:

• Laser therapy: according to systematic reviews, it can reduce pain and shorten healing time
• Topical corticosteroids: considered the first-line treatment, on prescription
• Photodynamic therapy: for stubborn recurrent ulcers
• Chemical cauterisation: for persistent sores
• Targeted supplements: to correct specific nutritional deficiencies

Benefits of professional treatment:

• Rapid relief from pain
• Shorter healing times, documented in particular for topical corticosteroids and laser therapy
• Prevention of secondary infections
• A personalised approach based on the underlying trigger

Dr Nihad Pljevljak uses treatment protocols that combine traditional medicine and modern technologies, aiming for the best possible results for patients of all ages in EUR and Torrino.

Preventing mouth ulcers for the whole family

Preventing mouth ulcers is possible with targeted strategies that involve the whole family:

For children:

• Use soft-bristled toothbrushes and gentle toothpastes
• Teach them not to bite their lips and cheeks
• Regular check-ups to identify any triggers
• A balanced diet rich in B vitamins

For adults:

• Manage stress with relaxation techniques
• Avoid your personal trigger foods (often chocolate, nuts, tomatoes)
• Use toothpastes free from sodium lauryl sulphate, which some studies suggest reduce the number and duration of ulcers
• Keep up excellent oral hygiene without being too aggressive

Effective daily routines:

• Gentle brushing 2-3 times a day
• Use dental floss with gentle movements
• Rinse with mouthwashes specifically designed for sensitive gums and mouth lining
• Drink enough water (at least 1.5-2 litres a day)

If you think mouth ulcers are a problem…

Mouth ulcers, irritating as they are, can be fully managed with the right knowledge and an appropriate treatment approach. Most ulcers heal on their own within 7-10 days, but modern treatments can reduce both the pain and the healing time.

It is important to remember that recurrent mouth ulcers can be a sign of underlying conditions that deserve specialist medical attention. Do not ignore frequent or particularly severe episodes: a specialist dentist can identify the triggers and set up a personalised treatment plan.

Prevention is always the best strategy, and simple daily precautions can reduce how often ulcers appear and how severe they are. At NeaBios in Rome EUR, our team specialises in treating conditions of the oral mucosa and in personalised prevention for the whole family.

Your oral health is precious, and even minor discomfort deserves professional attention. Do not let mouth ulcers affect your quality of life or that of your loved ones: there are effective treatments to relieve the symptoms.

Now that you know how to treat mouth ulcers...

NeaBios Dental Clinic, directed by Dr Nihad Pljevljak, is the trusted dental practice for families in EUR, Laurentina, Tre Fontane and Torrino.

Our specialists are ready to welcome you with professionalism and warmth, using the latest technologies in a comfortable setting for adults and children.

Book your visit today:

• 📞 Phone: +39 06.50.13.817
• 📱 Mobile: 333.935.8432
• 📍 Address: Via Cesare Pavese 135, 00144 Rome
• 🚇 Easy to reach from Laurentina station (Metro line B)
• 🅿️ Parking available
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Specialists in care for the whole family

Your smile, and your family's smiles, are our priority.

Sources

1. Conejero Del Mazo R, García Forcén L, Navarro Aguilar ME. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Med Clin (Barc). 2023;161(6):251-259. PubMed
2. Staines K, Greenwood M. Aphthous ulcers (recurrent). BMJ Clin Evid. 2015;2015:1303. PubMed
3. Plewa MC, Chatterjee K. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. PubMed
4. Al-Aizari NA, Al-Shamiri HM, AlShehri BK, et al. Evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: insights from an umbrella review. J Dermatolog Treat. 2026;37(1):2622245. PubMed
5. Alli BY, Erinoso OA, Olawuyi AB. Effect of sodium lauryl sulfate on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a systematic review. J Oral Pathol Med. 2019;48(5):358-364. PubMed