# Mouth ulcer not healing: when to see a dentist or doctor By Maylands Dental Centre AI-generated illustration A sore inside your mouth can make you wonder whether to leave it alone or have someone look at it. The important details are how long it has been there and whether you have noticed any other changes. **If a mouth sore or ulcer has not healed within two weeks, seek urgent medical advice.** Queensland Health also recommends urgent medical advice for red or white patches, a mouth or neck lump, difficulty swallowing or speaking, repeated bleeding, or numbness in the mouth. These signs need assessment; they do not tell you the cause on their own. [\[1\]](https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/mouth-and-dental-health/oral-health-conditions/mouth-sores) If you have a persistent sore, you can also contact a dental practitioner for advice. This guide explains what to tell the clinician and why a sore that keeps rubbing against a denture or brace still deserves attention. It is not a way to diagnose a mouth condition from its appearance. [\[1\]](https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/mouth-and-dental-health/oral-health-conditions/mouth-sores) ## How long is too long for a mouth ulcer? Two weeks without healing is a reason to seek urgent medical advice, according to Queensland Health. You do not need to identify the type of sore yourself before asking for help. Its guidance also says to consult a dental practitioner about persistent ulcers. [\[1\]](https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/mouth-and-dental-health/oral-health-conditions/mouth-sores) When you call, describe the timing plainly: “I first noticed this sore about two weeks ago and it has not healed.” If you are unsure of the date, say that rather than guessing. Mention changes in its size, bleeding or feeling, and any difficulty swallowing or speaking. Do not use the two-week point as an instruction to wait if other warning signs are already present. Queensland Health lists those signs separately and recommends urgent medical advice. [\[1\]](https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/mouth-and-dental-health/oral-health-conditions/mouth-sores) ## Does a mouth sore always mean something serious? No. Queensland Health says most mouth ulcers and swellings are not cancer. It also explains that mouth sores can have different causes, including injury, infection and oral cancer. Finding the cause matters because it informs treatment. A persistent sore therefore needs an examination rather than reassurance based only on a description or photo. [\[1\]](https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/mouth-and-dental-health/oral-health-conditions/mouth-sores) Pain is not a reliable reason to dismiss a change. Queensland Health notes that most oral cancers are not painful in their early stages. This does not mean a sore without discomfort is cancer; it means the absence of pain does not replace assessment of a sore that is not healing. [\[1\]](https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/mouth-and-dental-health/oral-health-conditions/mouth-sores) ## What other changes should you mention? Tell the clinician about changes elsewhere in the mouth or neck, not just the sore. Queensland Health identifies the following as reasons for urgent medical advice: * A sore on the tongue, cheek or gums that has not healed within two weeks. * Red or white patches inside the mouth or on the lips. * A lump or swelling in the mouth or neck. * Trouble swallowing or speaking. * Repeated bleeding in the mouth. * Numbness or reduced feeling anywhere in the mouth. This is a list of changes to have assessed, not a diagnosis or a prediction about your own health. In an emergency, call **000**. [\[1\]](https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/mouth-and-dental-health/oral-health-conditions/mouth-sores) ## Could a denture, brace or an injury be involved? Yes. Queensland Health describes traumatic ulcers and sore spots caused by damage to the mouth lining. Dentures, braces and plates can be involved, and biting your cheek or lip can also injure the area. Persistent ulcers still need dental advice, even if you think you can identify something rubbing against them. [\[1\]](https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/mouth-and-dental-health/oral-health-conditions/mouth-sores) Tell your dentist where the rubbing happens and which appliance you wear. You could ask: “Could this be irritating the area, and does it need to be checked?” Let the clinician assess the sore rather than treating a suspected cause as confirmed. For background on appointments involving an appliance, our [denture information](https://maylandsdentalcentre.com.au/restorative-dentistry/dentures/) explains the service at Maylands. It is separate from having a persistent mouth sore assessed. ## What can you do about discomfort while arranging advice? ![AI-generated illustration of a toothbrush, glass of water and white basin.](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/mouth-ulcer-not-healing-when-to-seek-advice-maylands-2.jpg) AI-generated illustration Queensland Health says a warm saltwater mouth rinse may help with relief and healing of traumatic ulcers and sore spots. It also notes that pharmacy products may give temporary relief. Ask a pharmacist about an appropriate product rather than assuming that relief establishes the cause of the sore. Persistent ulcers still require dental advice. [\[1\]](https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/mouth-and-dental-health/oral-health-conditions/mouth-sores) Temporary relief is not a reason to put off the urgent medical advice recommended for a sore that has not healed within two weeks, or for the other warning signs above. Keep the assessment question separate from the question of how to manage discomfort. [\[1\]](https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/mouth-and-dental-health/oral-health-conditions/mouth-sores) ## What should you say when contacting Maylands? Start with the concern, not just a request for a routine clean: “I have a mouth sore that is not healing. Can you advise me about having it assessed?” Mention when it started, where it is, any rubbing from a dental appliance and any other mouth or neck changes. Follow the urgent medical advice above rather than waiting for a routine dental appointment when those warning signs apply. [\[1\]](https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/mouth-and-dental-health/oral-health-conditions/mouth-sores) You can [contact Maylands Dental Centre](https://maylandsdentalcentre.com.au/contact-us/) on [(08) 9370 5464](tel:0893705464). The clinic is at **185 Guildford Road, Maylands WA 6051**. Our [clinic and team page](https://maylandsdentalcentre.com.au/about/) introduces the practice and explains that treatment requirements and a fee estimate are discussed at your appointment. Ask what appointment is appropriate and what it will cost; this article does not quote a fee or promise a particular treatment. [\[2\]](https://maylandsdentalcentre.com.au/contact-us/) [\[3\]](https://maylandsdentalcentre.com.au/about/) ## Sources and date checked Checked 11 November 2026. This is general information about seeking assessment, not a diagnosis or individual treatment advice. The clinical information is based on Queensland Health guidance; clinic contact and appointment information comes from Maylands Dental Centre. 1. [Queensland Health — Mouth sores](https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/mouth-and-dental-health/oral-health-conditions/mouth-sores), updated 17 March 2022. Clinical guidance paraphrased and condensed from © The State of Queensland, under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); see the [Queensland Government copyright terms](https://www.qld.gov.au/legal/copyright). No government endorsement is implied. 2. [Maylands Dental Centre — Contact](https://maylandsdentalcentre.com.au/contact-us/). 3. [Maylands Dental Centre — About and team](https://maylandsdentalcentre.com.au/about/). Images are AI-generated illustrations, not photographs of Maylands Dental Centre, its team or patients. They do not show a mouth condition, examination or treatment outcome.