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Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are small, shallow lesions that form on the soft tissues of the mouth or at the base of the gums. Canker sores, unlike cold sores, do not appear on the surface of your lips and are not communicable. They can, however, be painful and make eating and talking difficult.
Canker sores usually heal on their own in a week or two. Consult your doctor or dentist if you have canker sores that are unusually large or painful, or if they do not appear to heal.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CANKER SORES?
The majority of canker sores are round or oval in shape, with a white or yellow center and a red border. They develop inside your mouth, on or behind your tongue, inside your cheeks or lips, at the base of your gums, or on your soft palate. A tingling or burning feeling may occur a day or two before the sores form.
Canker sores are classified into three types: minor, large, and herpetiform.
Minor canker sores
The most prevalent are minor canker sores and they:
- Are often small
- Are round in shape with a red border
- Heal in one to two weeks without scars
Major canker sores
Major canker sores are rare and:
- Are more severe and deeper than small canker sores
- Are normally circular with distinct borders, but when very large, they may have uneven edges.
- Can be excruciatingly uncomfortable.
- May take up to six weeks to heal and may result in significant scars.
Herpetiform canker sores
Herpetiform canker sores are infrequent and typically appear later in life; nevertheless, they are not caused by herpes virus infection. These canker sores:
- Are pinpoint sizes
- Usually appear in groups of 10 to 100 ulcers, but might combine into one giant ulcer.
- Have erratic edges
- Heal in one to two weeks without scars
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CANKER SORES?
The exact etiology of canker sores is unknown, but researchers believe a mix of variables contributes to outbreaks, even in the same person.
Canker sores may be triggered by the following factors:
- A mild mouth injury caused by dental work, excessive brushing, sports incidents, or an unintentional cheek bite
- A diet deficient in B-12, zinc, folate (folic acid), or iron
- An allergic reaction to certain microorganisms in your mouth
- Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate toothpastes and mouth rinses
- Food allergies, especially to chocolate, coffee, strawberries, eggs, almonds, cheese, and spicy or acidic foods
- Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation
- Emotional tension
Canker sores can also be caused by a number of ailments and diseases, including:
- Celiac disease, which is a dangerous digestive ailment caused by a gluten intolerance, which is found in most cereals.
- Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which are examples of inflammatory bowel illnesses.
- Behcet's illness, which is an uncommon inflammatory sickness that affects the entire body, including the mouth.
- A malfunctioning immune system that attacks healthy cells in your mouth rather than invaders like viruses and germs.
- HIV/AIDS, which is a virus that inhibits the immune system.
- Canker sores, unlike cold sores, are not connected with herpes virus infections.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR CANKER SORES?
Canker sores can affect anyone. However, they are more common among teenagers and young adults, and they are more common in females.
People with recurrent canker sores frequently have a family history of the condition. This could be due to genes or a common environmental component, such as certain foods or allergens.
HOW ARE CANKER SORES DIAGNOSED?
Canker sores do not require any tests to be diagnosed. They can be identified visually by your doctor or dentist. In rare situations, you may be subjected to tests to rule out other health issues, particularly if your canker sores are severe and persistent.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR CANKER SORES?
Minor canker sores rarely require treatment because they heal on their own in a week or two. Large, chronic, or unusually painful sores, on the other hand, may necessitate medical attention. There are several therapy methods available.
Mouth rinses
If you have many canker sores, your doctor may prescribe a mouth rinse with the steroid dexamethasone or lidocaine to relieve pain and inflammation.
Topical medications
When applied to individual sores as soon as they emerge, over-the-counter and prescription medications (pastes, creams, gels, or liquids) may help reduce discomfort and hasten healing. Some items contain active substances like:
- Benzocaine (Anbesol, Kank-A, Orabase, Zilactin-B)
- Fluocinonide (Lidex, Vanos)
- Hydrogen peroxide (Orajel Antiseptic Mouth Sore Rinse, Peroxyl)
There are numerous different topical treatments for canker sores, including ones that have no active ingredients. Consult your doctor or dentist to determine which option is best for you.
Oral medications
When canker sores are severe or do not respond to topical treatments, oral medicines may be utilized. These could include:
Non-canker sore medications, such as the intestinal ulcer therapy sucralfate (Carafate) used as a coating agent and colchicine, which is generally used to treat gout.
When various therapies fail to relieve severe canker sores, oral steroid medicines are used. However, owing of the substantial adverse effects, they are normally used as a last resort.
Cautery of sores
A cautery procedure involves the use of an instrument or a chemical substance to burn, scorch, or kill tissue.
Debacterol is a topical treatment for canker sores and gum issues. This medicine may shorten the healing time of canker sores by chemically cauterizing them.
Silver nitrate, another alternative for canker sore chemical cautery, has not been proved to hasten healing, but it may help decrease canker sore pain.
Nutritional supplements
If you are deficient in certain nutrients, such as folate (folic acid), vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, or zinc, your doctor may advise you to take a nutritional supplement.
Related health problems
Your doctor will address the underlying condition if your canker sores are related to a more serious health problem.
HOME REMEDIES FOR CANKER SORES
Consider the following suggestions to help alleviate pain and expedite healing:
- Rinse your mouth. Use salt water or a baking soda rinse (1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water).
- Several times a day, dab a small amount of milk of magnesia on your canker sore.
- Avoid abrasive, acidic, or spicy foods, which can aggravate the irritation and pain.
- Allow ice chips to slowly dissolve over your canker sores to apply ice to them.
- Brush your teeth gently with a soft toothbrush and a foaming-agent-free toothpaste like Biotene or Sensodyne ProNamel.
HOW CAN CANKER SORES BE PREVENTED?
Canker sores frequently recur, however you may be able to limit their occurrence by following these guidelines:
- Take care with what you eat: Avoid foods that appear to irritate your mouth. Nuts, chips, pretzels, some spices, salty foods, and acidic fruits like pineapple, grapefruit, and oranges are examples. Avoid any foods that make you sensitive or allergic.
- Choose nutritious foods: Consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to help prevent nutritional deficits.
- Maintain healthy oral hygiene routines: Brushing your teeth after meals and flossing once a day can help keep your mouth clean and clear of things that could cause a sore. To avoid irritation to fragile mouth tissues, use a soft brush and avoid toothpastes and mouth rinses containing sodium lauryl sulfate.
- Protect your mouth: Ask your dentist about orthodontic waxes to conceal sharp edges if you have braces or other dental appliances.
- Relax and de-stress: If your canker sores appear to be stress-related, learn and practice stress-reduction strategies such as meditation and guided visualization.