Common Causes of Canker Sores

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are not dangerous, but they are annoying.

They’re small, round bumps with a white or yellow center that form on your mouth. Most canker sores appear on your tongue, inside your cheek, or on the inside of your lip. They’re usually painless, although some people experience mild tingling or burning before they appear.

Are They the Same as Cold Sores?

Cold sores and canker sores are not the same things. Cold sores are caused by a viral infection, and they are contagious. Canker sores are not contagious and won’t spread to other parts of your body.

Types of Canker Sores

There are three types of a canker sore.

Minor: These are the type most people get. They are small, and they usually disappear without scarring in about a week.
Major: These are large and deep. They can be very painful and may take up to six weeks to heal. They often leave scars.
Herpetiform: These are rare. They are tiny sores that occur in large clusters of 20 to 100 or more. They heal in about two weeks without scarring. Despite their name, they are not caused by the herpes virus.

What Causes Canker Sores?

Doctors aren’t sure what causes canker sores. Here are some things they believe might trigger an outbreak.

Nutrition deficiencies: A diet low in vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, folic acid, or iron can cause canker sores.

Injury: Minor injuries can lead to canker sores. These injuries include minor bumps, biting something hard, dental work, or dental appliances.

Hormonal and emotional changes: Hormonal shifts or emotional stress can show up as canker sores.

Food sensitivities: Certain foods, including chocolate, coffee, strawberries, nuts, eggs, cheese, and spicy foods, can cause outbreaks.

Illness: Chronic illnesses like Chron’s disease, HIV/AIDs, or other immune system disorders can make you more susceptible to outbreaks.

What Can You Do About Them?

You can soothe the pain of canker sores and help them heal with home remedies.

Saltwater rinse: Rinsing with salt water is a good home remedy for many oral conditions.

Saltwater and baking soda paste: This is an excellent home remedy for canker sores. Mix hot water and baking soda into a paste, and add salt. Apply the paste directly to your canker sores.

Milk of magnesia: This old-fashioned remedy is an excellent treatment for canker sores. Apply it directly to your canker sores.

Honey: Like saltwater, honey is a natural disinfectant. Dab it on your sores.

When To See a Dentist

In most cases, your canker sores will heal on their own. You should contact a dentist if you experience:

Unusually large sores that don’t heal in a week.
Frequently recurring sores.
Persistent sores that last more than two weeks.
Pain when you eat or drink.
Fever or other signs of infection.

Your dentist can prescribe a special mouth rinse and topical treatments that will help your sores heal and ease the pain.

Take Care of Your Oral Health

At Malan Family Dentistry, we know how important good oral health is. If you’re troubled by frequent or painful canker sores, call us today.