8 Causes of a Mouth Ulcer

9. Quitting smoking

About one-third of people who quit smoking develop mouth ulcers and cold symptoms within one or two weeks after quitting. This is one reason why so many people who quit are likely to have setbacks. Fortunately, the symptoms are temporary and usually resolve within six weeks of quitting. One reason why quitting smoking may cause mouth ulcers is because smoking possesses antibacterial properties, which causes the body to “forget” to produce antibodies in the mouth because it relies on the cigarettes to do the work for it. After quitting smoking, the mouth is more vulnerable because it doesn’t have those antibodies, but this usually works itself out because the body “remembers” to do it on its own within a few weeks. If you have an ulcer that lasts for more than three weeks, or you develop a fever or other flu-like symptoms, make an appointment with your GP.