Canker Sores: Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Definition

Canker sores are the most common type of mouth ulcer. They typically occur in people ages 10-20 and reoccur 3 or 4 times a year. These ulcers are found inside the mouth, typically inside the cheeks or lips, or on the tongue.

Canker sores are often confused with cold sores, however, they are very different types of mouth irritations. On the one hand, canker sores are not contagious, are often hereditary, and are found inside the mouth. While on the other hand, cold sores are highly contagious and are a symptom of the herpes infection, often occurring outside the mouth.

Symptoms

Canker sores are white, yellow or grey sores occurring in the mouth that are surrounded by inflamed soft red tissue. The sores can cause discomfort for around 7-10 days and may induce feelings of sluggishness, cause lymph nodes to swell and experience a fever. Canker sores often generate a tingling or burning sensation and can make eating and talking very uncomfortable.

Causes

There are varied causes of canker sores and in some cases, the cause of the sores are unclear. In most cases, the ulcers are caused by stress, viral infections, tissue injury or vitamin and mineral deficiencies. In other cases, cankers can be caused by hormonal disorders, menstrual cycle and food allergies. Certain foods, including acidic and citrus fruits and vegetables can trigger the sores or lengthen the healing process.

Treatments

Canker sores typically heal within 1-to-3 weeks without treatment, while the pain from the sores often disappears in 7-10 days. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics, antibacterial mouthwash or an ointment to speed up the recovery process. If you are looking for fast relief, dental lasers can be used to remove canker sores and relieve pain almost instantly.

While there is no cure for canker sores, you can take some preventative measures to reduce their frequency of recurring. For a simple at-home treatment, eat soothing foods such as yogurt, ice cream or milk to help minimize the pain, and avoid consuming spicy foods as they cause irritation.

Prevention

There are a few preventative measures that can be taken in order to reduce the frequency of canker sores. It is important to avoid foods which have triggered canker sores in the past or that cause allergy symptoms, such as tenderness and swelling.

To reduce stress, take long deep breaths or schedule a time for daily meditation or other calming exercises. If you suffer from vitamin or mineral deficiencies, speak to your doctor about a suitable diet plan to ensure your body is receiving the proper nutrition. 

Finally, regularly flossing and brushing your teeth will help to minimize the risk of a bacterial infection. If you experience canker sores for longer than 3 weeks or if the sores begin to spread, contact your family doctor.

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