General Facts:

• appear in the mouth on soft movable tissues eg. the cheek, tongue and soft palate
• look like small round shallow ulcers
• usually have a white/grey centre and a round red halo around it
• they are not contagious
• will usually go away in a week
• more prominent in women

Causes:

Actual cause is unknown but may be triggered by the following

• consumption of citrus fruits
• physical trauma (toothbrushing, abrasive foods, dental braces)
• stress
• lack of sleep
• sudden weight loss
• food allergies
• immune system reactions
• deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron and folic acid