Mouth ulcers that won’t heal: when to see a dentist in Fourways
A mouth ulcer can make an ordinary meal, a conversation or brushing your teeth uncomfortable. Many small ulcers settle, but a sore that remains in the same place, or an unexplained patch or lump, deserves an examination. For adults in Fourways and nearby Johannesburg suburbs, knowing when to book a dentist or GP helps avoid repeatedly treating a symptom without understanding its cause.
Why do mouth ulcers happen?
An ulcer is a break in the lining of the mouth. Biting your cheek, a sharp tooth or a denture that rubs can cause a sore. Another common type is an aphthous ulcer, sometimes called a canker sore. These are often small, painful and round, with a pale centre and a red edge, and may come back from time to time.
Small aphthous ulcers commonly heal within one to two weeks. However, different mouth conditions can look similar. A white patch is not automatically an ulcer, and a photograph cannot reliably establish the cause. Avoid deciding that every new sore is the same as one you had before. The South African Dental Association’s guide to oral sores explains why persistent or recurring problems should be assessed.
When should you book an assessment?
Arrange a dentist or GP appointment if an ulcer has not healed within 10 days, is unusually large or keeps returning. South Africa’s Adult Primary Care 2026 guide advises clinicians to refer likely aphthous ulcers larger than 1 cm or still unhealed after 10 days. This is a reason to seek assessment, not a diagnosis of cancer.
Do not keep postponing a sore that reaches two weeks. CANSA advises seeing a dentist or doctor for sores or white plaques that have not healed within two weeks, as well as persistent changes in the mouth’s tissues. Seek help earlier if you are worried.
Other changes worth mentioning promptly
Book a prompt assessment for an unexplained red or white patch, lump, thickened area, bleeding or numbness. Also mention difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving your tongue, a lasting voice change, or a change in how your dentures fit. Do not wait for a patch to become painful before asking about it.
These symptoms can have less-serious causes, but some also occur with oral cancer. An examination is needed to decide what they mean. SADA’s oral-cancer patient leaflet describes the warning signs. Tobacco and alcohol are important oral-cancer risk factors; tell the clinician about your use so they can give relevant advice.
When is urgent care needed?
Seek emergency care immediately for difficulty breathing, an inability to swallow at all, or sudden tongue or facial swelling after a possible allergic trigger or with symptoms such as wheezing, widespread itching, dizziness, vomiting or collapse. An inability to open your mouth also needs urgent assessment. Do not wait for an online booking reply.
Get urgent same-day care if mouth or dental pain prevents you from eating or drinking, or if fever accompanies swelling of the face or jaw. These warning signs are covered in the mouth, throat and dental sections of South Africa’s Adult Primary Care guide.
What may happen at the appointment?
The clinician will ask about the problem and examine your mouth. A dental examination can include the lips, cheeks, tongue, palate, teeth and gums, as well as the face, neck and area under the jaw. Questions about general health, medicines, diet, smoking and alcohol help build the picture, as outlined in SADA’s dental-examination guide.
If the cause remains unclear or an area looks suspicious, further assessment or a biopsy may be recommended. A biopsy takes a small tissue sample for laboratory examination. Being referred for one does not itself confirm cancer. Ask where it will be done, who will arrange it and when the result should be available.
Make the visit easier to prepare for
- Note when the sore appeared and whether it has healed and returned or stayed continuously.
- Describe any change in size, pain, bleeding, swallowing or eating.
- Mention a sharp tooth, recent dental work, braces or dentures rubbing the area.
- Bring a list of medicines and supplements, allergies and relevant health conditions.
- Tell the clinician which mouthwashes, gels or other remedies you have tried.
A dated photograph can help you describe a change, but it should not delay an appointment or replace an examination. Ask about the consultation fee and any separate costs for tests or referrals.
What can you do while waiting?
Choose soft, moist foods and avoid foods that sting, including spicy, acidic or very hot foods. Keep your mouth clean and brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Drink fluids regularly. Ask a pharmacist, dentist or doctor which pain-relief product is suitable for you, particularly if you take other medicines.
These steps aim to make you more comfortable; they do not explain or cure every persistent sore. Victoria’s Department of Health provides supporting advice on mouth-ulcer care. Follow the assessment timing above rather than relying on repeated home treatment.
Finding dental or GP care in Fourways
Mediwell at Dainfern Square offers dental and general-practitioner services. Use the appointment-booking page to request a suitable visit and confirm availability. Say that you have a persistent mouth sore or oral change so the team can advise on the appropriate appointment.
Before leaving your consultation, agree on a review date and ask what changes should prompt earlier care. If the sore persists or worsens, contact the treating clinician again.
This article is general education for adults. It cannot diagnose a mouth lesion or replace individual dental or medical advice.
References and further reading
- National Department of Health: Adult Primary Care 2026, pages 52–54
- South African Dental Association: Common Oral Sores & Infections, Oral Cancers and Dental Examinations (2021)
- CANSA: Leukoplakia fact sheet (2021)
- Victoria Department of Health: Mouth ulcers (reviewed October 2025), supporting self-care information
