Can mouth ulcers be contagious to others?
Disease description:
I recently developed a mouth ulcer, which is very painful. There are elderly people and children at home, and I eat and live with them every day. I'm really worried that I might transmit the mouth ulcer to them. Previously, I heard that some oral problems can be contagious, which makes me even more concerned. I'd like to ask you, is it possible for mouth ulcers to spread to others?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Chao
In most cases, mouth ulcers are not contagious. However, if a mouth ulcer is caused by a pathogen infection, it may be transmissible. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Common mouth ulcers, such as recurrent aphthous ulcers, are mainly associated with genetic factors, immune disorders, mental stress, vitamin deficiencies, and other non-infectious factors. Therefore, they are not transmissible to others. Traumatic ulcers, caused by physical irritation such as residual tooth roots, broken crowns, or ill-fitting dental restorations, are similarly non-contagious.
A special situation exists when mouth ulcers are triggered by pathogenic infections, such as herpetic stomatitis or hand, foot, and mouth disease. In these cases, the mouth ulcers are contagious, and the pathogens can be transmitted through saliva, blister fluid, and other means.
For ordinary mouth ulcers, there is no need to worry about transmission. Maintaining good personal oral hygiene, such as brushing teeth regularly, rinsing the mouth after meals, and keeping the oral cavity clean, can help promote ulcer healing. If the mouth ulcer is caused by an infectious disease, patients should take appropriate isolation precautions, avoid close contact with others, and not share personal items such as eating utensils, drinking cups, or toothbrushes to prevent the spread of pathogens.
