Name: Bonjela: Relief From Pain Caused By Mouth Ulcers | Healthwords
Creator: Dr Roger Henderson
Published: 2021-03-05T12:47:13.866Z

The adult formulations should not be used by anyone below the age of 16. You should also not use bonjela if you are suffering from a [stomach ulcer](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/stomach-ulcer-611). If you are pregnant, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before using the gel.

Should anyone avoid taking it?

Bonjela is an over-the-counter medication that can be used to relieve pain and inflammation caused by mouth ulcers. Learn more about Bonjela with Healthwords.

Bonjela: Relief From Pain Caused By Mouth Ulcers | Healthwords

As with any medications, some people are bound to get some unwanted side effects. Some of the common ones include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, itching and swelling of face, tongue or throat. 

If you have shortness of breath, swelling of the mouth or tongue, or breathing difficulty and think this could be a severe allergic reaction you should call 999.

Are there any side-effects?

Bonjela (adult and cool mint varieties) can be used by patients over the age of 16. For patients below the age of 16, bonjela junior gel or bonjela soothing teething gel should be used instead.

Who is it for?

Bonjela Adult Gel Sugar Free (15g)

Bonjela Junior Gel (15g)

Bonjela Soothing Teething Gel (15g)

Bonjela contains two active ingredients, the antiseptic cetalkonium chloride that helps fight infections, and choline salicylate which helps relieve pain caused by inflammation. Bonjela has broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, alongside its anti-inflammatory and painkilling properties.

How does it work?

When we experience pain, we seek any means to relieve it. That’s how we evolved and survived as animals. Although cavemen didn’t have pharmacies to get their paracetamol from.

So when wandering around the pharmacy and faced with a multitude of choices, how do we know what’s going to hit the spot? And what if we’ve exhausted what the pharmacy offers and we still haven’t cracked it, what more can your doctor offer? Let’s talk you through [painkillers](https://www.healthwords.ai/treatment/painkillers) available to buy at the pharmacist, and the so-called ladder of pain relief, which may require your doctor to prescribe stronger medications as you climb upwards. By knowing the different classes of painkillers, you can also combine them if you need to.

It’s also good to be aware of side effects, and if these are unbearable, there may be other medications such as ones to treat [nausea](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/nausea-and-vomiting) with opioid medications, that help you feel more comfortable. The following relates to tablets or oral medications: we discuss [gels, creams](https://www.healthwords.ai/treatment/best-pain-relief-gels-and-creams-474), patches and other modes of [pain relief](https://www.healthwords.ai/treatment/pain-relief) in other articles.

You may also need medications to reduce risks if you’re taking medications for a long time, such as protecting against excess stomach acid caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Or switching to a cream or gel to avoid certain problems or risks. Let’s start with the science behind the main classes of pain relievers, or analgesics, as we call them.

Dr Kim - Pain Relief

Bonjela soothing teething gel is an over-the-counter medication that can be used for teething problems in infants over the age of 6 months and contains no anaesthetic, alcohol, sugar or artificial sweeteners. The treatment creates a protective film over the infant’s gums to help reduce pain and discomfort from the inflammation caused by teething.

Chlorhexidine mouthwash is used to treat inflammation, swelling and bleeding caused by inflamed or infected gums (gingivitis). It works by killing microorganisms in the mouth, and can be used to speed up the recovery and reduce the pain from [mouth ulcers](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/mouth-ulcer), irritation caused by dentures and other painful mouth conditions. You should speak to your dentist or [pharmacist](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/pharmacists-qualifications-knowledge-and-roles) for advice before starting using it for the first time.

Chlorhexidine can be purchased from supermarkets and pharmacies either as the branded version Corsodyl or as a generic version. It is important to be aware that chlorhexidine can cause teeth staining and is for short term use only. Maximum treatment is 30 days unless directed by a Dentist or Doctor. Chlorhexidine can also appear in toothpaste’s and is used in other skin disinfectants too.

Toothache is pain in and around the teeth and jaws that is usually caused by problems such as dental caries (tooth decay). The pain can range from mild discomfort to a severe, sometimes sharp or throbbing, pain in your head and ear. The inside of your teeth is made up of soft, delicate tissue that contains sensitive nerves and blood vessels. This tissue is called dental pulp and it is surrounded by layers of hard tissue called dentine and enamel for protection. The outermost layer of enamel is harder than bone. If the pulp becomes infected, it will be inflamed (pulpitis). It will also usually be painful (toothache).

## What causes toothache?

Toothache can be caused by a number of things including: 

Dental decay (caries) - which can lead to cavities (holes) forming in the hard surface of the tooth 

A fracture (crack) in the tooth - which is often so small that it cannot be seen with the naked eye 

Some types of dental treatment - such as a filling that has become loose or broken 

Receding gums - where the gums contract (shrink) exposing softer, more sensitive parts of the tooth root 

Repetitive motions, such as chewing gum or grinding teeth

There are a number of other conditions that can cause pain that is similar to toothache, even though the pulp of a tooth is not affected. These include an [abscess](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/tooth-infection) in the gum (lateral periodontal abscess), [ulcers](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/mouth-ulcer) on the gums (acute ulcerative gingivitis), [halitosis](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/halitosis-bad-breath-622) (bad breath) and sore or swollen gums around a tooth that is breaking through, such as when your [wisdom teeth](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/wisdom-teeth-and-tooth-removal) start to come through (pericoronitis). [Sinusitis](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/sinusitis) (inflammation of the sinuses) can also sometimes causes pain around the upper jaw, as can injury to the joint that attaches the jaw to the skull, which is known as the temporomandibular joint.

Difflam mouth spray, mouth rinse and lozenges

Difflam is a branded version of the anti-inflammatory and pain relief medication benzydamine. It primarily comes in three formulations: mouth spray, mouth rinse and lozenges. It is important that it is taken with food as it can cause stomach irritation. 

A mouth ulcer occurs when a part of the lining of the inside of your mouth becomes damaged. The area that hurts is known as a mouth ulcer. They are very common and can be caused by many different things. The majority are not caused by anything serious and usually improve within 2 weeks. They look like red and white lesions on the inside of your cheeks that are usually 1cm in size or less. You can sometimes get larger mouth ulcers which are bigger than this and they can also appear at the bottom of the gums, under or on the tongue.

Most people have at least one attack of mouth ulcers in their life but they are more common in women and under the age of 40. They cannot be passed on by kissing or sharing utensils. Unfortunately, up to 1 in 5 people have recurrent attacks of mouth ulcers.

Over a third of people with recurrent mouth ulcers have a family history of it and this figure rises to over 80% if both parents suffered from recurrent mouth ulcers. Certain medical conditions can also predispose to chronic mouth ulcers developing, such as;

- [Vitamin B12](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/vitamin-b12-545) deficiency.
- Viral infections – a very common trigger for mouth ulcers.
- [Iron deficiency](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/iron-deficiency-anaemia).
- [Coeliac disease](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/coeliac-disease) (intolerance to a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye and barley).
- Crohn's disease.
- Reiter's syndrome.
- HIV infection.

Occasionally, mouth ulcers can be linked to medication and common examples include;

- Painkillers such as [ibuprofen](https://www.healthwords.ai/treatment/ibuprofen-316) and [aspirin](https://www.healthwords.ai/treatment/aspirin).
- Nicorandil and beta blockers – both used in heart conditions.

Most of us have felt the effects of a [common cold](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/common-cold-655) – adults get one once or twice a year, and children up to six times a year. Less people have had the [flu](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/flu-521), but it's another bothersome virus causing trouble. Symptoms can include a [blocked nose](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/blocked-nose-and-nasal-congestion), [sore throat](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/sore-throat-triggers-and-treatments-to-soothe-and-repair-337), [headaches](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/headaches), muscle aches (not always), cough ([dry](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/dry-cough) or [chesty](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/productive-chesty-cough-621), sneezing, [temperature](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/high-temperature-fever) (not always), loss of taste or smell.

A mouth ulcer occurs when a part of the lining of the inside of your mouth becomes damaged. The area that hurts is known as a mouth ulcer. They are very common and can be caused by many different things. The majority are not caused by anything serious and will improve on their own within 2 weeks. They look like red and white lesions on the inside of your cheeks that are usually 1cm in size or less. You can sometimes get large mouth ulcers which are bigger than this and they can also appear at the bottom of the gums, under or on the tongue.

There are some over-the-counter treatments available from your pharmacist, but if you are looking for some things to try at home – Healthwords’s pharmacists have you covered.

Bonjela Junior Gel is an over-the-counter medication that can be used by children over the age of 5 months, and is also safe for use by adults and the elderly.

Orajel is for temporary rapid relief of toothache [pain](https://www.healthwords.ai/symptom/pain) in the mouth.

Orajel is a local anaesthetic with two strengths: single-strength over-the-counter and double-strength behind-the-counter. It comes only in a gel formulation, which is excellent for targeting a specific area.

Dr Kim -Pain Relief

Champix (Varenicline)- An aid to stop smoking

Champix is a product containing varenicline, a medicine to help you in the initial stages of [quitting smoking](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/quitting-smoking-how-to). Champix acts on the nicotine receptors in the brain, but doesn't reward you with dopamine, the feel-good hormone that nicotine produces. It therefore blocks nicotine from having its effect, breaking that pleasure-reward association, whilst at the same reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This all works towards reducing the pleasurable effects of smoking and nicotine.

This hopefully breaks the cycle to urge you to smoke again, and avoids feelings of [depression](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/depression), irritability and sleeplessness that can accompany nicotine cravings.

For the maximum chance of success, most people prefer to engage the NHS Stop Smoking service, which is free and will provide prescriptions for [stop smoking aids](https://www.healthwords.ai/treatment/stop-smoking-aids-replace-nicotine-reduce-cravings-317), including Champix, and help you find strategies to break the behavioural habit of smoking. Together you will set a stop smoking date, and they will help you prepare for that.

A cough is the body’s natural way of responding to irritation in your respiratory tract. When specialised sensors in your airways detect an irritant such as smoke, dust or pollution, it triggers a cough reflex that causes the muscles in your airways to contract and pushes a burst of air out through your airways in an attempt to remove the cause of the irritation – this is a cough. 

A dry cough is when you cough without bringing up any mucous or phlegm and can be irritating for your throat. It is a very common type of cough that can be caused by an infection, asthma, environmental irritant or irritation caused by acid reflux. It may also be a side effect of certain medications such as ACE inhibitors, used to treat high blood pressure. A constant dry cough is the result of your cough reflex becoming more sensitive than usual. 

Dr Kim - Cough

Dr Roger Henderson

Chief Content Officer

Bonjela is an over-the-counter medication that can be used by those over the age of 16 to relieve pain, discomfort and inflammation caused by [mouth ulcers](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/mouth-ulcer). It can also be used to treat pain in the mouth caused by other conditions such as cold sores and sore spots from dentures and braces.

Bonjela

Who is it for?

How does it work?

Pharmacist recommended products

Should anyone avoid taking it?

Are there any side-effects?

Related topics

Pain Relief: How do I choose which type?

Bonjela soothing teething gel

Chlorhexidine Mouthwash

Toothache

Difflam mouth spray, mouth rinse and lozenges

Mouth Ulcer

Cold and Flu Tablets

Mouth Ulcers Home Remedies

Bonjela Junior Gel

Orajel Pain Relief

Champix (Varenicline)- An aid to stop smoking

Dry Cough