How long does a mouth ulcer take to heal?
Disease description:
I suddenly developed a mouth ulcer these days, and it hurts when eating and speaking, even drinking water is uncomfortable, which has seriously affected my daily life. I would like to ask, how long does a common mouth ulcer take to heal? I occasionally get mouth ulcers, but the recovery time seems different each time. This time the pain is especially severe; could it take longer to heal?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Chao
In general, the healing time for oral ulcers varies from person to person. Mild cases usually heal within 1-2 weeks, while severe cases may take 1-2 months to heal.
Minor oral ulcers are small in diameter and often heal spontaneously within 1-2 weeks. Major oral ulcers are larger and deeper, and may take as long as 1-2 months to heal, often leaving scars. Herpetiform ulcers, although individually small, occur in large numbers and typically heal within 1-2 weeks. Additionally, if the patient suffers from autoimmune diseases, takes medications long-term that impair mucosal repair, or repeatedly irritates the ulcerated area, the healing period may also be prolonged.
In daily life, maintaining oral hygiene is important. Rinse the mouth with mild salt water or mouthwash after meals to avoid irritation from food residue. Avoid eating spicy or excessively hot foods, and consume more foods rich in vitamins and protein, such as oranges and eggs. If an oral ulcer persists for more than 2 weeks without healing, recurs frequently, increases in size, or is accompanied by symptoms such as fever and swollen lymph nodes, prompt medical attention is advised to rule out other underlying diseases.
