Canker sores (aphthous ulcers or aphthous stomatitis) are small, painful ulcers inside the mouth. They may occur on the tongue and on the inside linings of the cheeks, lips, and throat. They usually appear white, grey, or yellow in color, with a red border.
Canker sores are among the most common types of oral lesions, affecting about 20% of people. Women get canker sores more often than men. Canker sore susceptibility may be inherited, and the condition can run in families.
Unlike cold sores, canker sores don't occur on the surface of your lips and they aren't contagious. They can be painful, however, and can make eating and talking difficult.
You might notice a tingling or burning sensation a day or two before the sores actually appear.
There are several types of canker sores, including minor, major and herpetiform sores.
Minor canker sores
Minor canker sores are the most common and:
⇝ Are usually small
⇝ Are oval shaped with a red edge
⇝ Heal without scarring in one to two weeksy
Major canker sores
Major canker sores are less common and:
⇝ Are larger and deeper than minor canker sores
⇝ Are usually round with defined borders, but may have irregular edges when very large
⇝ Can be extremely painful
⇝ May take up to six weeks to heal and can leave extensive scarring
Herpetiform canker sores
Herpetiform canker sores are uncommon and usually develop later in life, but they're not caused by herpes virus infection. These canker sores:
⇝ Are pinpoint size
⇝ Often occur in clusters of 10 to 100 sores, but may merge into one large ulcer
⇝ Have irregular edges
⇝ Heal without scarring in one to two weeks
Some possible causes of canker sores include the following:
⇝ Injury to the mouth may cause simple canker sores. Injury could be from vigorous tooth brushing, dental work, braces or dentures, or a sports accident.
⇝ Acidic foods, including citrus fruits, may trigger a canker sore or make it worse.
⇝ Food sensitivities or allergies (anything from highly acidic foods to chocolate and coffee)
⇝ Diets low in vitamins B12, zinc, folate (folic acid), or iron
⇝ Toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate
⇝ Allergy to certain bacteria in the mouth
⇝ Hormones
⇝ Emotional stress
⇝ Smoking
⇝ Gastrointestinal tract diseases such as Celiac disease or Crohn's disease
⇝ Autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosusor Behçet's disease
⇝ Other immune system weakness such as a cold or the flu, HIV/AIDS, or an organ transplant
⇝ Systemic conditions such as Crohn's disease or nutritional deficiencies
⇝ Oral cancer
⇝ Certain drugs may cause canker sores, including:
- Aspirin
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Beta-blockers
- Oral nicotine
- Chemotherapy medicines
- Immunosuppressants
- Sulfa drugs
- Phenytoin
- Anticholinergic bronchodilators
- Platelet aggregation inhibitors
- Vasodilators
- Protease inhibitors
- Antibiotics
- Antiretrovirals
- Antihypertensives
When to see a doctor
Consult your doctor if you experience:
⇝ Unusually large canker sores
⇝ Recurring sores, with new ones developing before old ones heal, or frequent outbreaks
⇝ Persistent sores, lasting two weeks or more
⇝ Sores that extend into the lips themselves (vermilion border)
⇝ Pain that you can't control with self-care measures
⇝ Extreme difficulty eating or drinking
⇝ High fever along with canker sores
See your dentist if you have sharp tooth surfaces or dental appliances that seem to trigger the sores.
What remedies cure canker sores?
In most cases, canker sores do not require any treatment, and there is nothing specific you need to do to get rid of a canker sore because it usually will heal on its own. Home remedies can be used to help relieve pain and inflammation of canker sores.
If a you already have a canker sore, there are home remedies that can be used to help relieve the pain or irritation caused by the sore and to speed healing:
⇝ 1. Topical medications applied directly on the sore, mouthwashes, and oral medications can relieve pain or inflammation.
⇝ 2. Allow ice chips to dissolve slowly in your moth for relief of pain.
⇝ 3. Avoid acidic foods such as citrus fruits or spicy foods that may aggravate the sore.
⇝ 4. If there is any vitamin deficiency (a doctor can test for this), take supplementation as prescribed.
⇝ 5. Brush teeth gently and use a brush with soft bristles.
⇝ 6. Use toothpaste and mouthwash that does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
⇝ 7. Another home remedy is to mix milk of magnesia with Benadrylliquid and use as a mouth rinse. You can also dab milk of magnesia directly onto the canker sore with a cotton swab.
⇝ 8. Rinse your mouth with a salt water or baking soda rinse. Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda per ½ cup water, and rinse.
⇝ 9. Other natural remedies include goldenseal mouth rinse, deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) gargled in warm water, and saltwater rinses.
⇝ 10. Zinc lozenges may help provide relief and speed healing time. Do not give lozenges to young children, as they may be a choking risk.
⇝ 11. Vitamin C, vitamin B complex, and lysine can be taken orally when lesions first appear and may help speed healing.
⇝ 12. Infuse sage and chamomile herbs in water and use as a mouthwash four to six times daily.
⇝ 13. The herb Echinacea may help speed healing
⇝ 14. Carrot, celery, and cantaloupe juices may also be helpful.
Prevention
Canker sores often recur, but you may be able to reduce their frequency by following these tips:
⇝ Watch what you eat. Try to avoid foods that seem to irritate your mouth. These may include nuts, chips, pretzels, certain spices, salty foods and acidic fruits, such as pineapple, grapefruit and oranges. Avoid any foods to which you're sensitive or allergic.
⇝ Choose healthy foods. To help prevent nutritional deficiencies, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
⇝ Follow good oral hygiene habits. Regular brushing after meals and flossing once a day can keep your mouth clean and free of foods that might trigger a sore. Use a soft brush to help prevent irritation to delicate mouth tissues, and avoid toothpastes and mouth rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
⇝ Protect your mouth. If you have braces or other dental appliances, ask your dentist about orthodontic waxes to cover sharp edges.
⇝ Reduce your stress. If your canker sores seem to be related to stress, learn and use stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation and guided imagery.
