What is the cause of mouth ulcers?

Ans. Mouth ulcers are small lesions or breeches that develop in your mouth and at the gum base. They make eating and drinking very uncomfortable. There can be many causes that can cause mouth ulcers. Some of these include:

• accidentally biting the inside of the cheek,
• injury due to braces or sharp teeth edges and ill-fitting dentures,
• hurting oneself during brushing,
• consuming very hot foods or beverages,
• some medications like beta blockers and painkillers,
• smoking or chewing tobacco,
• anaemia, iron, zinc and vitamin B deficiency,
• gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory or irritable bowel disorder.
• fungal infections,
• herpes,
• hormonal changes, especially in females, during puberty, pregnancy, menstruation and menopause,
• HIV/AIDS,
• family history,
• high levels of stress and anxiety.

Mouth ulcers are not communicable and usually heal between 7-10 days. But if your ulcer has been bothering you for more than 10 days then consult an oral surgeon or  doctor.