Canker Sore: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

canker sore image

Canker sore is a white, red or yellow open sore in the mouth. It is different from mouth cancer and cold sore (fever blister). They are shallow lesions found in the mouth soft tissues.  It is a form of mouth ulcer that can be found inside your lips, the base of the gum, and inside the cheeks. It can result in eating difficulty. It mostly related to the body immune system. Canker sore is common in women than in men. It affects anybody irrespective to age, race or sex. It is also called aphthous ulcer. It can run in the family.

Unlike cold sore, canker sore is not contagious. There are 2 types of canker sore:

Simple canker sore- this is common among the teenagers. It can occur for about 3 to 4 times in a year . it usually heal up in a week

Complex canker sore - it is not really common. It occurs in people that previously had it.

Canker Sore Vs Cold Sore

canker sore versus cold sore

Canker sore breaks out inside the mouth while cold sore affects the lips

Herpes Simplex virus (HSV -1 and HSV -2) causes cold sore while it does not cause canker sore

Canker sore is not contagious while cold sore is contagious

Mouth cancer may first appear like mouth ulcer or canker sore, but canker sore cannot cause mouth cancer

What are the causes of canker sore?

The causes of canker sore are not really known. It has been related to the following;

1. Biting your tongue or cheek while chewing or eating can cause canker sore.
2. Roughly brushing the teeth- brush your teeth gently to avoid mouth ulcer and canker sore. Roughly brushing your teeth does not ensure thorough cleaning of the teeth. Use soft bristle to brush your teeth.
3. Injury from dental work- injuries in cases of dental implants and other dental activities can cause mouth ulcer and canker sore. Sharp dental appliances like braces can cause and worsen canker sore.
4. Hormonal changes for example during menstruation, pregnancy and puberty. This is one of the reasons why canker sore is common among the teens and women.
5. Vitamin and mineral deficiency- poor nutrition can cause canker sore. Ensure you eat balanced diet and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. Avoid acidic fruits like citrus
6. Emotional stress
7. Allergies to food

What are the Symptoms of Canker Sore?

If you observe the follow signs and symptoms, it might be as a result of canker sore:

• Painful, red or yellow spots inside the mouth
• Burning sensation on the first day of the sore
• Fever
• Swollen lymph node
• Discomfort or malaise

Treatment of canker sore

Canker sore naturally heals up in about 10 days. Click here to see the home remedies for canker sore. Treatments help to fasten the healing process. Note that canker sore do not cause mouth cancer.

Avoid hot or spicy foods if you have canker sore. Rinse your mouth with salt water and avoid taking alcohol if you have canker sore.

Pain killers like ibuprofen will help in relieving the pain. Your health care provider can prescribe corticosteroid for you to place on the sore. 

 

When to see your doctor

Consult your doctor if;

Canker sore or mouth ulcer does not heal in 2 weeks. The doctor may carry out test to check for other causes like bullous lichen planus, drug allergies, erythema multiforme and herpes infections

If it re-occur more than 4 times a year

If you have fever, headache or skin rash accompany your canker sore.