Canker Sores

Canker sores are small mouth ulcers that appear in the inside of your mouth. They can appear anywhere in the mouth like tongue, cheeks,roof of the mouth and inside of the lips.

These canker sores cause extreme discomfort to the extent that it makes eating and drinking very painful.

Unlike cold sores caused by viral infections, the canker sores are not contagious. Medically called as Aphthous ulcers, these ulcers can be either minor or major.

A canker sore appears like a white yellowish center with a red border. They are usually very small, less than a millimeter.

Canker sores are usually self diagnosed and self treated.They heal on their own within one or two weeks but over the counter gels, ointments and mouthwashes are available that helps to reduce pain and discomfort.

It is usual for a person to have two-three sores for a year , though some may see the sores are-appearing more often that need medical attention.

To reduce panic and discomfort, it is recommended for you to know the potential causes and management and when to seek medical help.

Related : What your tongue says about your health ?

What causes canker sores:

It most commonly appears in teen ages when there are noticeable hormonal changes but also occurs in any age .

Though you cannot associate any one cause for canker sores, there are some factors that trigger the cause of mouth ulcers.

Possible factors :

• Nutritional deficiencies : Lack of essential nutrients like vitamin B12,zinc , folic acid and iron have been associated with aphthous ulcers.

• Stress

• Hormonal changes : Like those related to menstrual cycle and during pregnancy when you have extreme hormonal fluctuations.

• Acidic or spicy foods can also trigger canker sores in some individuals.

• Minor mouth injuries : Sometimes, trauma to the oral mucosa caused by factors like aggressive tooth brushing, accidental cheek biting can also cause traumatic mouth ulcers.

• Ill fitting dentures that cause irritation to the oral mucosa and use of braces may predispose to canker sores.

  Related : The link between oral health and overall health

Underlying Medical Conditions :

Certain medical conditions can cause complex canker sores which include :

• Celiac disease - An autoimmune disorder resulting in malabsorption of nutrients leading to frequent canker sores.

• Crohn’s disease- This disease causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract extending upto the mouth and this inflammation in turn causes canker sores .

• Behcet’s disease- Recurrent canker sores which are more severe and numerous is a typical symptom of this disease.

• Ulcerative Colitis - This is also another form of inflammatory bowel disease manifesting as ulcers in the mouth .

• Autoimmune diseases like AIDS, systemic lupus erythematosus causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the healthy tissues leading to ulcers.

Are canker sores contagious ?

No, canker sores are not contagious. This is because they are not caused by any infection. You cannot spread canker sores by contact .

Are canker sores herpes ?

No, canker sores are not caused by herpes simplex virus or other sexually transmitted virus. There are separate herpetiform ulcers that are caused by herpes.

Types of canker sores :

1. Minor canker sores - They are small shallow ulcers less than one centimeter with red borders and white or yellowish center. Though smaller in size, they cause extreme pain white eating.

2. Major canker sores - Also called as major aphthous ulcers, these are severe forms of canker sores and look larger than the minor sores. They are usually caused by any underlying disease and take longer to heal.

Canker sores treatment :

Though canker sores heal on their own within a few weeks, you can get medical help to alleviate pain and speed up the healing process.

How to heal a canker sore faster :

The treatment options for canker sores include -

• Topical gels and Ointments : Medications containing benzocaine, hydrogen peroxide can provide pain relief by numbing the area and reducing irritation.

• Antiseptic mouth rinses that contain chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide .

• For severe canker sores, topical corticosteroid ointments are prescribed.

If you worry how long these canker sores last, rest assured - a canker sore heals itself within two weeks even without any medication.

Medications :

• In case of nutritional deficiencies causing mouth ulcer, your doctor may prescribe nutritional supplements to prevent the ulcer from recurring.

• Underlying health conditions that cause sores like AIDS and other immune disorders are treated with immune-modulators.

Home Remedies for canker sore relief :

• Apply honey : Dab a little amount of honey and apply it to your ulcer. It feels soothing and provides temporary relief.

• Saltwater rinse : Mix a spoon of salt in water and rinse it for two to three times a day. Salt water being natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory promotes faster healing.

• Apply coconut oil : It is an age old therapy of applying coconut or sesame oil to mouth ulcers that soothes the pain.

• Avoid hot and spicy foods till your sore heals as it is necessary to avoid irritation .

• Drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated.

When should I see a doctor for a canker sore ?

1. If a canker sore is larger in size and lasts longer than two weeks, it is necessary to visit your healthcare professional to rule out any underlying disease.

2. If it occurs recurrently like two to three times within a month, your doctor may check for any nutritional deficiencies.

3. If it is extremely painful and cannot be managed by over the counter medication and home remedies.

4. If it is accompanied by fever or infection of sore like pus formation.

5. If you notice it spreading to other areas.

Can I prevent canker sores ?

You cannot stop canker sores from occurring, but you can follow certain practices to reduce the risk like :

• Good oral hygiene routine - Brushing and flossing

• Take a balanced diet rich in all nutrients.

• Avoid triggering foods like citrus fruits and spicy foods.

• Reduce stress and anxiety by meditation and other stress management techniques.

So, next time a canker sore makes an unwelcome appearance, you’ll know exactly what to do !!