Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 20: Most mouth ulcers are harmless and heal on their own within a week or two. However, doctors advise that a sore which persists beyond two weeks, repeatedly appears in the same place or shows unusual changes should be medically evaluated.
According to Dr Narayana Subramaniam, Lead Consultant, Head and Neck Surgery & Oncology, Aster Whitefield Hospitals, common ulcers can result from trauma, stress, tongue biting or nutritional deficiencies and generally settle within one to two weeks.
Persistent ulcers can have several underlying causes, including iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, gastrointestinal problems, immunological conditions and certain medicines. Repeated irritation from a sharp tooth, dental filling or denture can also delay healing.
Doctors recommend seeking professional advice if an ulcer lasts for more than two to three weeks, becomes larger, bleeds easily or develops hardened or thickened edges. Other warning signs include a persistent lump, swollen glands in the neck, difficulty swallowing, difficulty moving the tongue, unexplained weight loss, red or white patches and numbness.
Dr Sharanabasappa S Hatti, Senior Consultant Surgical Oncologist, HCG Cancer Hospital, Kalaburagi, also advises that ulcers persisting for more than two weeks or repeatedly developing in the same location should be assessed by a dentist or doctor.
Such symptoms do not necessarily indicate cancer, but some oral cancers can initially resemble an ordinary mouth ulcer. A clinical examination can help determine whether the problem is caused by irritation or requires further investigation. In some cases, doctors may recommend a biopsy.
Tobacco and areca nut use, including gutkha, are important preventable risk factors associated with oral cancer in India. Smoking and alcohol consumption can also increase the risk. However, even people who do not use tobacco or areca nuts should seek medical attention if a mouth ulcer persists or is accompanied by other unusual changes.
Research into early detection of oral cancer is also continuing. A July 2026 study published in the British Journal of Cancer examined saliva and lesion-surface swabs for molecular markers associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral submucous fibrosis, highlighting the potential role of biomarkers in early diagnosis and monitoring.
Doctors emphasise that a persistent mouth ulcer should not automatically cause panic, but it should not be repeatedly treated with over-the-counter gels without identifying the underlying cause. If a sore remains for several weeks, keeps returning in the same location or is accompanied by other changes inside the mouth, professional evaluation is advisable.