Mouth sores may improve with topical steroids, which are applied directly to the sore, or intralesional steroids, which are injected into it. If they don't improve, an oral antimalarial medication may be needed. Ask your doctor whether one of these treatments may be appropriate for you.

Spicy, acidic, or crunchy foods can make an open sore worse. Try avoiding them while a sore is active and adding them back once it heals. Cool, soft, bland foods may be more comfortable to eat.

Firm bristles can make toothbrushing more irritating when you have mouth sores. Try using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a gentle, nonabrasive fluoride toothpaste. On days when brushing feels too uncomfortable, rinse your mouth with plain water after eating.

Some medications can make dry mouth worse. For example, people with a related condition called Sjögren's disease may need to avoid medications that can make dry mouth worse. These can include decongestants, antihistamines, and antidepressants.

Never stop taking a prescription on your own. Talk with the doctor who prescribed it if you're concerned about dry mouth.

As many as 4 in 10 people with lupus develop mouth sores that aren't associated with active disease. In some cases, medications may be responsible.

Every major category of lupus medication can affect the mouth, including:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• COX-2 inhibitors, a type of anti-inflammatory medication
• Antimalarials
• Corticosteroids (steroids)
• Immunosuppressants, such as methotrexate
• Rituximab

New mouth sores don't necessarily mean you're having a lupus flare. Ask your healthcare provider whether one of your medications could be contributing.

Painless sores are easy to miss, which is why a regular soft tissue exam, during which a dentist carefully checks the inside of your mouth, can be helpful. It takes only a few minutes, and you can ask for it as part of your routine cleaning.

People with lupus should see a dentist at least twice a year, or more often if they have ongoing oral health problems. Tell your dentist you have lupus and ask how familiar they are with caring for people with the condition.