Mouth lesions are painful swellings in the oral soft tissues such as the lip, tongue, gum, cheeks, and floor or roof of the mouth. There are many causes of mouth lesions, including trauma, allergy, and infection.

The common types of mouth lesions are as follows:

• Cold sores
• Canker sores
• Gingivostomatitis
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease
• Oral thrush
• Leukoplakia

The sores might or might not develop into blisters and may have the following symptoms:

• Pain while eating or drinking
• Burning sensation around the sore
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty talking
• Bleeding
• Ulceration

Common causes

• Bite in the cheek, tongue, or lip
• Irritation from sharp objects such as braces and dentures
• Mouth burn due to eating or drinking too hot food or beverages
• Harsh teeth brushing
• Chewing tobacco
• Smoking cigarette
• Herpes simplex virus infection

However, some measures to adopt to reduce the risk of mouth lesions are as follows:

• Avoiding hot food and beverages
• Chewing carefully and slowly
• Practicing correct oral hygiene
• Using a soft toothbrush for brushing
• Visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups
• Speaking to the dentist if the dental device is causing discomfort
• Practicing meditation regularly to reduce stress
• Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet