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Mouth Ulcer Not Healing in 2 Weeks? Common Sore or Oral Cancer Warning Sign—Recognize Symptoms
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News18•26-09-2026, 20:36
Mouth Ulcer Not Healing in 2 Weeks? Common Sore or Oral Cancer Warning Sign—Recognize Symptoms
- •Seek medical advice if a mouth ulcer persists for over two weeks, reappears in the same spot, or grows in size.
- •For gutkha, khaini, cigarette, and alcohol users, changes in the mouth can signal serious illness.
- •Dr. Sanjay Kala emphasizes that timely screening can detect oral cancer early, improving treatment outcomes.
- •Hardening of mouth tissues (oral submucous fibrosis) or white/red patches (leukoplakia/erythroplakia) can be precancerous signs.
- •Unexplained bleeding, difficulty swallowing, voice changes, or neck lumps require immediate medical attention.
Key Questions Answered
While common sores usually heal within a few days, a mouth blister or ulcer that persists for more than two weeks, reappears in the same spot, or grows in size requires immediate medical attention.
Leukoplakia and erythroplakia refer to white or red patches that can appear on the inside of the cheeks, tongue, or gums. While not every patch is cancerous, these changes can be warning signs and must be medically examined.
Continuous consumption of gutkha and betel nut can cause inner mouth tissues to harden into a condition called oral submucous fibrosis. This gradually narrows the mouth opening, causing long-term difficulties with eating and speaking.
