Mouth Ulcer Treatment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Drug Class (Antimicrobial, Antihistamine, Anesthetic, Analgesics and Corticosteroids, Others), By Formulation (Sprays, Mouthwash, Gels, Others), By Indication (Aphthous Stomatitis, Oral Lichen Planus, Others) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2023-2031

Market Overview

The Mouth Ulcer Treatment Market size was valued at USD million 1,117.75 in 2022 and is projected to reach USD million 1,611.05 by 2031, registering a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period (2023-2031).

Mouth ulcers are painful sores that are formed on the soft tissue in the mouth, including lips, cheek, tongue, floor, and roof of the mouth and gums. They can be a result of hormonal changes during menstruation, after high consumption of spicy and acidic foods, and usage of toothpaste and mouth rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. In the last few decades, the global mouth ulcer treatment market has observed tremendous growth, owing to its rising prevalence and growing consciousness for dental and oral hygiene. The global prevalence of oral ulcers is estimated at around 4%, with aphthous ulcers being the most common, affecting 25% of the global population. The presence of moisture and saliva in the oral cavity often restricts the topical application medication.

Market Dynamics

Pharmaceutical firms are developing diverse medications, such as pastes, antibiotic mouthwashes, creams, and gels to prevent recurring ulcerations. For instance, Oralixir Mouth Wash, Orajel Mouth Sore Gel, Cloratin mouth paint are advanced products available in the market for the treatment of oral ulcers. These players are also focusing on producing various innovative drugs with fewer side effects and fast healing action. Apart from this, ongoing research to test the effectiveness of herbal products for the treatment of aphthous ulcers  and growing efforts of several nations for conducting oral health programs and campaigns to generate awareness among the population about the symptoms and causes of mouth ulcers are likely to support the market gorth in coming years. Moreover, active initiatives and tests are being conducted by healthcare professionals to increase awareness concerning harmful effects caused due to mouth ulcers. This trend is predicted to shape the market growth in the years to come.

Oral Cancer Foundation and National Oral Health Program are some of the prominent players currently focusing on oral health promotion to encourage the promotion of public-private partnerships model for achieving better oral health results. Also, in 2015, Singapore Lion started an Oral Health Education Program in association with the Singapore Health Promotion Board.

Increasing accessibility to various mouth ulcer treatment products through online distriubution channel is also supporting the market growth. These products are easily available across the globe on various platforms suchn as Netmeds, 1mg, Amazon, Flipkart, and Indiamart. These platform are attacting a large number of custromers because of easy ordering process, fast delivery, easy return and exchange process and heavy discounts.

Regional Analysis

The Asia Pacific market for mouth ulcer treatment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR on account of the rapidly growing population having mouth ulcers, low-cost treatment, and advancing healthcare infrastructure, and high consumption of spicy food and tobacco. For instance, about 240 million people in India consume tobacco in any form, which is around one-fifth of the global tobacco-consuming population. For treating oral ulcers, the country is more focused on ayurvedic, homeopathic, or natural products. In addition to this, every year, Colgate-Palmolive Company conducts an oral health month in rural India to increase awareness about oral hygiene.

In the last few years, North America has witnessed significant growth in awareness about the availability of various effective mouth ulcer treatments and technological advancement in the diagnostic procedures of oral care. As per our analysis, around 4% of the total population in the U.S. is affected by one of the most common causes of oral ulceration—aphthous ulcers. This is further supported by the growing consumption of junk foods, tobacco, alcohol, and smoking and a higher concentration of players engaged in the manufacturing of novel gels, creams, and drugs for the treatment of ulcers. 3M Xerostomia Relief Spray BY 3M, Oragel by Church and Dwilight and Colgate Peroxyl Mouth Sore Rinse by Colgate-Palmolive are some of the key products being offered in the region.

Europe mouth ulcer market is projected to register a considerable growth during the forecast period. It has been found that around 20% of the population in the U.K is affected by recurrent aphthous ulceration. About 8,300 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer every year in the U.K, which is around 1 in every 50 cancers diagnosed. In line with this, numerous players have undertaken research activities for developing innovative products that can effectively treat oral ulcers.

For instance,

• In June 2018, a team of scientists in London developed a novel biodegradable patch.
• In September 2018, Health Canada approved ETADINE Sore Throat Spray and BETADINE Sore Throat Gargle by Purdue Pharma to treat mouth ulcer and prevent sore throat

The Middle East and Africa is witnessing sluggish growth in the global market and is likely to continue  holding least share of the global mouth ulcer treatment market, owing to poor healthcare infrastructure, lack of awareness regarding mouth ulcer in developing countries. Africa has a large population having poor oral hygiene and inadequate exposure to fluoride. In order to address such issues, the local governments and some NGOs are trying to spread awareness among the population regarding oral health and available products to treat oral ulcers.  This is likely to encourage several players to tap the growth opportunity by offering a cost-effective product in this region, but low disposable income and inadequate health facilities may hamper the market growth to some extent.  

Segmental Analysis

Analgesics drugs to witness fastest growth

The global mouth ulcer treatment market is segmented into drug class, formulation, and indication. On the basis of drug class, the market is sectored into antimicrobial, antihistamine, anesthetic, analgesics & corticosteroids, and others.

Analgesics have anti-inflammatory properties that aid in fighting infection as well as reduce pain, which helps to boost the healing of ulcer or canker sore heel. In line with this, they are mainly used for treating pain resulting from cancer treatments, surgeries, neuropathic conditions, inflammation, and physiological injuries. Increasing investments in research and development activities by the public and private sectors with the growing emphasis on different classes of compounds for formulating new therapeutics are further expected to drive the product demand.

Gel segment to dominate mouth ulcer treatment market

On the basis of formulation, the market is sectored into sprays, mouthwash, gels, and others. Gels segment is likely to continue leading the global mouth ulcer treatment market due to its quick healing formulations, fast anti-inflammatory action, and anti-swelling properties. The gel has anesthetic properties that deliver temporary relief from intolerable pain of mouth ulcers without any side effects. Moreover, it does not interact with other medicines, which further adds fuel to its overall demand. It is easily available at affordable prices in diverse forms and flavors, which makes it suitable for both adults and children.

Higher prevalence of aphthous stomatitis

On the basis of indication, the market is sectored into Aphthous Stomatitis, Oral Lichen Planus and others. Aphthous stomatitis or oral ulcer majorly affect 5%–25% of the global population. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a common condition in which round or ovoid painful ulcers recur on the oral mucosa. It can result from the usage of toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate, tartar, and consumption of strawberries, chocolate, walnuts, cheese, and cow milk. Currently, a range of medicines is available in the market to treat aphthous stomatitis such as topical, intralesional, and systemic corticosteroids, azathioprine, dapsone, colchicine, pentoxifylline, oral tetracycline, and thalidomide.

Recent Developments

• In December 2019, Forward Science received FDA Clearance for OrapeuticTM, a non-opioid oral pain relief gel
• In July 2019, Celgene’s plaque psoriasis drug ‘Otezla’ received the U.S.FDA approval for the treatment of adult patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet’s
• In July 2019, FDA approved Apremilast for treating oral ulcers associated with behcet’s disease
• In June 2018, Researchers at the University of Sheffield, the U.K, and the Danish company Dermtreat had jointly developed an innovative patch known as the Rivelin to treat mouth ulcers. The patch offers highly targeted treatment for ulcers with steroids and other drugs while providing a protective barrier around the affected area
• In August 2017, Church & Dwight Co., Inc. acquired Water Pik, Inc., one of the market leaders in both replacement showerheads and oral water flossers, to expand its product portfolio of oral hygiene and treatments