Causes of baby's oral ulcers

Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
Updated on May 21, 2025
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Babies with oral ulcers can generally be considered under the following circumstances. The first situation is where the child usually eats fewer vegetables, and the possibility of vitamin deficiency causing this condition is relatively high. This is because children do not like to eat vegetables and will have very low vitamin content, which can easily lead to oral ulcers.

The second situation is caused by infection, such as when the child has a fever, cold, and other infection symptoms, which can also lead to oral ulcers. If it is caused by infection, it is necessary to promptly administer anti-infection traditional Chinese medicine for treatment. If it is caused by a vitamin deficiency, the child needs to be timely supplemented with vitamins and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits to treat oral ulcers. You can also spray some traditional Chinese medicine for treating oral ulcers on the child.

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What should be used for oral care when oral ulcers are severe?

When patients suffer from severe oral ulcers, they can purchase some mouthwash for daily use. Some mouthwashes are specifically designed for rinsing and can sterilize the mouth, eliminate odors, and reduce inflammation. Therefore, it is recommended that patients brush their teeth timely in the morning and evening and use mouthwash appropriately. They should also remove food residues promptly after meals. Additionally, patients must pay attention to their daily lives and avoid consuming overly spicy, hard, or hot foods. It's important to protect the mucous membranes inside the mouth, as these tissues are delicate and cannot withstand prolonged strong irritations. Particular caution should be taken with corrosive foods because they can also cause irritation in the mouth.

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What should I do about mouth ulcers in children?

When a child has mild oral ulcers, if the baby is not particularly uncomfortable and it does not affect their eating, no special treatment is needed. You can rinse with saline solution morning and evening. Avoid consuming spicy, irritating, overly hard, overly salty, or overly hot foods to prevent damage to the oral mucosa. For infants who are still breastfed, mothers should also ensure cleanliness of the breasts. Of course, if it affects eating and the baby is also crying and restless, it is recommended to go to the hospital for timely treatment. For children's oral ulcers, it is advisable to focus on prevention. Always pay attention to oral hygiene, have a reasonable diet, increase physical exercise, and enhance the body’s own resistance.

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What are the signs before the onset of oral ulcers?

Oral ulcers are a type of erosion of the oral mucosa that generally do not show any particular signs before they develop. They may occur when a person’s immune resistance is low, possibly associated with symptoms of "getting heated" (a traditional Chinese medicine concept often referring to inflammation or infection). When oral ulcers occur, the affected area of the mucous membrane becomes eroded and painful, creating a sensation of a foreign object in the mouth that can disrupt the eating and drinking habits of the patient. Eating can become painful, and in severe cases, the patient might be unable to eat at all. Therefore, it is advised that patients seek timely treatment for oral erosion to avoid affecting their intake of food. During this time, nutritional supplementation is necessary for healing. If nutrition is not adequately maintained, it might impede the healing of the eroded oral tissue.

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What is oral ulcer?

Oral ulcers refer to the erosion and inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth, a common ulcerative condition occurring on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. They commonly appear on the inner side of the lips, tongue, underside of the tongue, cheek mucous membranes, vestibular groove, soft palate, etc. They may be accompanied by symptoms like bad breath, chronic pharyngitis, constipation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, irritability, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. There are two types of conditions: one is recurrent mouth sores, also known as aphthous stomatitis; characterized by repeated outbreaks but heals without scarring. The other type is called periadenitis, where there is a red halo around the eroded area that heals with scarring. Therefore, it is advisable to rinse with saltwater regularly, maintain oral hygiene, consume zinc-rich foods, regulate emotions, avoid staying up late, smoking, and drinking. This can promote the healing of oral ulcers. Additionally, under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist, some heat-clearing and detoxifying traditional Chinese medicines can be taken.

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Can stomach fire cause oral ulcers?

If there is excessive stomach fire, it can cause oral ulcers, because excessive stomach fire leads to poor digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. If food cannot be digested properly, it will reflux into the mouth, and may also cause symptoms like throat pain and a dry, itchy throat. Therefore, if stomach fire occurs, it is essential to treat it promptly to avoid worsening the condition. Drinking some rose tea or chrysanthemum tea can effectively clear heat and detoxify, helping to reduce stomach fire. Most importantly, do not drink alcohol, smoke, or eat spicy and irritating foods, as these can exacerbate stomach fire.