Common symptoms and what could be causing them. This week: Mouth ulcers

THE white sores, which appear inside the mouth or on the tongue, are rarely a sign of anything serious but can be uncomfortable.

They can be triggered by irritation – such as biting the inside of the cheek or badly fitting dentures – stress and anxiety, or hormonal changes during pregnancy and the menopause.

In less common cases, mouth ulcers can be caused by a rashlike condition called lichen planus, or digestive illnesses such as Crohn’s disease and coeliac disease.

If a mouth ulcer lasts longer than three weeks, the NHS recommends seeing a GP or dentist.