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CANKER SORES

Men's Health, Women's Health / By

CANKER SORES

Canker sores are small, open and painful lesions that develop in the mouth.

  • They appear on the soft tissues in your mouth including the base of your gum, tongue, inside linings of the cheeks, throat, and lips.
  • They are usually white, gray or yellow in color, with a red border.
  • Also known as aphthous ulcer, canker sores aren’t contagious and usually heal within one to two weeks without treatment.
    Canker sores are categorized into three types:
  • Minor sores are the most common types and measure from 3 to 10 millimeters. Sore last 10 to 14 days without scarring.
  • Major sores have an uneven or irregular border and are larger and deeper than the minor sores. They measure more than 10mm, take weeks to months to heal and may scar after healing.
  • Herpetiform sores are small ulcers that measure from 2-3mm characterized by a large group of multiple sores, there may be as many as 100 ulcers present at the same time that may merge into large ulcer. They heal without scarring.

CAUSES

Possible triggers for canker sores are:

  • Injury to the mouth from vigorous tooth brushing, dental work, sports injury, or an accidental cheek bite.
  • Emotional stress
  • Toothpaste and mouth rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate
  • Allergy to certain bacteria in the mouth
  • Smoking
  • A vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid or iron deficient diet
  • Sensitivity to certain foods such as acidic foods, coffee, chocolate, eggs, and spicy foods.
  • Hormones
  • Celiac disease
  • Autoimmune disorder
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases
  • HIV/AIDS, cold or organ transplant that may weaken or suppress the immune system

SYMPTOMS 

  • A burning, tingling sensation in your mouth
  • A painful lesion that is white, gray and yellow with a red border
  • Difficulty speaking, eating or swallowing

Less common symptoms that may indicate a serious underlying condition may include:

Fever

Weight loss

Swollen lymph nodes

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

DIAGNOSIS

Tests are not usually needed to make a diagnosis. Your doctor or dentist can identify them with a visual exam.

In cases where canker sores are severe and ongoing, your doctor may request tests to check for other health problems.

TREATMENT

Minor canker sores which tend to heal on their own does not require treatment. However, large, persistent and painful sores often need care. A number of options are available.

Mouth rinses containing the steroid dexamethasone for severe canker sore.  Your doctor may prescribe this to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Nutritional supplements may be prescribed if you consume a low amount of important nutrients, such as folic acid, zinc, or vitamin B-12.

If your canker sores are as a result of a serious health condition, your doctor will have to treat the underlying medical condition

Some active ingredients in the over-the-counter and prescription topical products (paste, cream, gels, and liquid) such as benzocaine, fluocinonide, and hydrogen peroxide may help to relieve pain and speed healing process.

Oral medications may be used for severe canker sore that does not respond to topical treatments.

Some lifestyle changes can also help relieve pain and speed healing. These may include:

  • Avoiding spicy or acidic foods.
  • Applying ice to the canker sore
  • Brushing teeth gently
  • Saltwater or baking soda mouth rinse