Mouth Sores: Check Your Symptoms and Signs With the Symptom Checker by MedicineNet.com

Mouth Sores Symptoms

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Terms related to Mouth Sores:

Aphthae
Canker Sores
Sores in the Mouth

Sores or localized abnormalities inside the mouth can arise from a number of causes. Most commonly, mouth sores represent aphthous ulcers, also known as canker sores or aphthous stomatitis. These shallow, painful ulcerations often occur in susceptible individuals during times of stress, infection, or changes in immune status. Certain medications, for example methotrexate, can cause canker sores as well as deficiencies in some B vitamins (1, 2, 6, and 12), iron, folic acid, and zinc. However, irritation, injury, or infection of any of the tissues in the oral cavity can also lead to mouth sores. Sores in the mouth can occur with certain systemic (affecting multiple locations within the body) diseases such as Crohn's disease, Behcet's syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Rarely, mouth sores are among the initial signs of oral cancers.

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Causes of Mouth Sores

Behcet's Syndrome Behcet's syndrome is a disease characterized by three symptoms: genital ulcers, recurring mouth ulcers, and inflammation around...learn more »
Bullous Pemphigoid Bullous pemphigoid is a skin disease that causes blistering eruptions on the skin's surface and sometimes affects the inner...learn more »
Burns (First Aid) Burns are categorized by severity as first, second, or third degree. First degree burns are similar to a painful sunburn. The...learn more »
Canker Sores Canker sore is a small ulcer crater in the lining of the mouth. Canker sores are one of the most common problems that occur in...learn more »
Chickenpox (Varicella) Chickenpox (chicken pox) is a contagious childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms have an incubation...learn more »
Coxsackie Virus Coxsackie viruses may be divided into two groups. Type A causes hand, foot, and mouth disease and conjunctivitis, while type B...learn more »
Dental Injuries Dental injuries range from a chipped or fractured tooth to a knocked out tooth. Treatment depends upon the severity of the dental...learn more »
Gum Disease Gum disease is caused by plaque and may result in tooth loss without proper treatment. Symptoms and signs of gum disease...learn more »
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease Hand-foot-and-mouth syndrome is clinical pattern consisting of a rash on the hands and feet, and in the mouth....learn more »
Herpangina Herpangina is a contagious illness often seen in children. It is caused by an enterovirus. Coxsackie virus is the most common...learn more »
Herpes Simplex Infections (Cold Sores, Non-Genital) Herpes simplex infections are common and when they appear around the mouth and lips, people often refer to them as "cold sores"...learn more »
Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is a type of virus called a...learn more »
Leukoplakia Leukoplakia is a white or gray patch that develops on the tongue or inside the cheek. Causes of Leukoplakia may include...learn more »
Lichen Sclerosus Lichen sclerosus is a skin disease that causes white spots to form on the skin, which later grow into large, thin, and crinkled...learn more »
Lupus Systemic lupus erythematosus is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation of body tissues caused by autoimmune disease....learn more »
Melanoma Melanoma is a type of skin cancer which begins in skin cells called melanocytes and affects more than 53,600 people in the United...learn more »
Oral Cancer The term oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth (oral cavity) and the back of the mouth (oropharynx). Red and white patches...learn more »
Sjogren's Syndrome Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease involving the abnormal production of extra antibodies that attack the glands and...learn more »
Syphilis In Women Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, is caused by a microscopic, wormlike bacterial organism called a spirochete. There are...learn more »
Thrush Thrush is an infection of the mouth caused by the candida fungus. Symptoms of Thrush include pain or difficulty swallowing, a...learn more »

Other Causes of Mouth Sores