Mouth ulcer

An open sore caused by a break in the mucous membrane lining the mouth. The ulcers are white, grey, or yellow spots with an inflamed border. The most common types are aphthous ulcers (see ulcer, aphthous) and ulcers caused by the herpes simplex virus. A mouth ulcer may be an early stage of mouth cancer and may need to be investigated with a biopsy if it fails to heal within a month.

 

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