Can vaping cause mouth ulcers?

What mouth ulcers actually are

Mouth ulcers, also called canker sores or aphthous ulcers, are small painful sores that appear on the inside of your lips, cheeks, tongue or gums. They are not contagious and most clear up on their own within one to two weeks.

They have many possible causes including stress, injury (like biting your cheek), certain foods, vitamin deficiencies and irritants. Vaping falls into the irritants category for some people.

How vaping can trigger ulcers

Vaping does not cause ulcers in everyone, but it sets up the conditions that make them more likely. Four main factors are usually at play.

Where vape-related ulcers typically appear

If your ulcers fit one of these patterns, vaping is worth considering as a trigger.

• Inside the lips, where the mouthpiece sits and vapour first hits the tissue.
• The tip and sides of the tongue, which are the most exposed to vapour flow.
• The inside of the cheeks, particularly on the side you tend to hold your vape.
• Behind the front teeth on the gums, where airflow concentrates with certain inhaling styles.

PG sensitivity is a real thing

Some people are genuinely sensitive to propylene glycol. It is not a true allergy in most cases, but repeated exposure can cause inflammation, dryness and recurring sores.

If you started getting ulcers within a few weeks of taking up vaping, and they keep coming back, PG sensitivity is the most likely explanation. The fix is usually switching to a higher-VG blend.

Most e-liquids are blended PG/VG. Nic salts and disposables tend to be 50/50, which is high PG. Sub-ohm shortfills are usually 70/30 or 80/20 VG/PG, which is much gentler on the mouth.

How to clear them up

Try these in order. Most people see improvement within a week or two.

1. Drink more water

   The simplest fix. Keeping your mouth properly hydrated helps existing ulcers heal and reduces the chance of new ones forming.

2. Switch to a higher-VG e-liquid

   If you are using a 50/50 nic salt or disposable, try a 70/30 freebase shortfill. The reduction in PG is usually enough on its own for many people.

3. Change your flavour

   Drop anything with cinnamon, menthol, citrus or sour notes for two weeks and see if the ulcers stop. If they do, that was your trigger.

4. Lower your nicotine strength

   If you are on 20mg nic salts and prone to ulcers, dropping to 10mg gives your mouth less of the nicotine that slows healing.

5. Use a saltwater rinse

   Half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, swilled around for 30 seconds twice a day. Reduces inflammation and helps existing ulcers heal faster.

6. Try over-the-counter mouth ulcer gel

   Products containing benzydamine or lidocaine numb the area and shorten healing time. Available from any UK pharmacy without prescription.

The bottom line