Painful oral mucosa
Aphthous ulcers, irritation or a persistent ulcer.
Inspect the site
Examine the oral mucosa for local irritation, including from sharp edges. An aphthous ulcer can heal spontaneously. A persistent or atypical lesion requires assessment of the cause and, if necessary, referral.
Local pain relief for an aphthous ulcer
For a typical aphthous ulcer that is very painful or makes eating or drinking difficult, consider briefly applying lidocaine oral gel 20 mg/g to the aphthous ulcer. This oral gel is authorised from 6 years of age. Check the age limit, contraindications and limits of use in the product information.
Other pain source
For unexplained or persistent symptoms, see Pain in the jaw and face for the wider distinction.
Prescription options
For a typical painful aphthous ulcer, lidocaine oral gel 20 mg/g is a local option. Follow the product instructions for age, application and daily maximum.
Sources for this topic
Reference for dentists on acute dental pain and pain after treatment.
- Thuisarts · NHG · Ik heb aften · Pijnlijke zweertjes · beloop en contactadvies
- CBG · Dynexan Mondgel 20 mg/g · RVG 113488 · SmPC §4.1–4.4, leeftijdsgrenzen, dosering en waarschuwingen
- NHG en betrokken beroepsverenigingen · Chronische aangezichtspijn · Differentiaaldiagnose, waaronder TMD en trigeminusneuralgie
