Your child has a mouth sore. These can be painful. They can make eating or drinking uncomfortable. But they are often not a serious problem. Most mouth sores can easily be managed and treated at home.
A mouth injury
Certain viruses and illnesses
Canker sores are the most common type of mouth sore. They are often white with red borders. Other types of mouth sores can be white, red, or yellow. Your child may have a single sore. Or they may have more than one at the same time. Mouth sore symptoms can include:
If your child has a sore outside the mouth, it’s likely a cold sore. Cold sores can be spread through direct contact. They may need different treatment than mouth sores. Ask your child’s healthcare provider for more information about cold sores if you think your child has one.
A mouth sore is diagnosed by how it looks. To get more information, the healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. He or she will also examine your child. You will be told if any tests are needed.
Mouth sores often go away in 7 to 14 days with no treatment.
You can do the following at home to ease your child’s symptoms:
Give your child over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to treat pain and fever. Don't give ibuprofen to children age 6 months or younger. Don’t give aspirin to a child younger than age 19 unless directed by your child’s provider. Taking aspirin can put your child at risk for Reye syndrome. This is a rare but very serious disorder. It most often affects the brain and the liver.
Cold liquids, ice, or frozen juice bars may help soothe mouth pain. Don't give your child spicy or acidic foods.
Liquid antacid 4 times a day may help ease the pain. For children older than 6 years old, a teaspoon (5 mL) as a mouthwash may be given after meals. For younger children, put the antacid on the mouth sore using a cotton swab.
Use the following treatments only if your child is over the age of
Put a small amount of OTC numbing gel on mouth sores to ease pain. The gel can cause a brief sting when used.
Have your child rinse their mouth with saltwater or with baking soda and warm water, then spit. The mouth rinse should not be swallowed.
Call the healthcare provider if you child has any of these:
A mouth sore that doesn’t go away in
More mouth pain
Signs of infection around a mouth sore (pus, drainage, or swelling)
Signs of dehydration (very dark or little urine, very thirsty, dry mouth, dizziness)
Fever (see "Fever and children" below)
Your child has had a seizure caused by the fever
Use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Don’t use a mercury thermometer. There are different kinds of digital thermometers. They include ones for the mouth, ear, forehead (temporal), rectum, or armpit. Ear temperatures aren’t accurate before 6 months of age. Don’t take an oral temperature until your child is at least 4 years old.
Use a rectal thermometer with care. It may accidentally poke a hole in the rectum. It may pass on germs from the stool. Follow the product maker’s directions for correct use. If you don’t feel OK using a rectal thermometer, use another type. When you talk to your child’s healthcare provider, tell him or her which type you used.
Below are guidelines to know if your child has a fever. Your child’s healthcare provider may give you different numbers for your child.
A baby under 3 months old:
First, ask your child’s healthcare provider how you should take the temperature.
Rectal or forehead: 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
Armpit: 99°F (37.2°C) or higher
A child age 3 months to 36 months (3 years):
Rectal, forehead, or ear: 102°F (38.9°C) or higher
Armpit: 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
Call the healthcare provider in these cases:
Repeated temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher
Fever that lasts more than 24 hours in a child under age 2
Fever that lasts for 3 days in a child age 2 or older