Canker Sores and What You Can Do About Them

Have you ever experienced a sharp jolt of pain in your mouth? If you’ve ever suffered from a mouth ulcer in the past, you know how difficult it can be to get through everyday life without wincing. Canker sores are a nuisance to have, but dealing with them isn’t as hard as living with them.

What Is a Canker Sore?

Also called aphthous ulcers, they are small, painful, and non-contagious sores that can appear along the lips, cheeks, and throat. You can identify a canker sore by looking in the mirror. They are yellow or white spots, varying from a millimeter to an inch in diameter, with red, swollen lining.

Types of Mouth Ulcers

• Simple: Anyone can get canker sores, but they occur more frequently from ages 10 to 20. Simple mouth ulcers can last for as short as a week, three to four times a year. Some people are more prone to them than others.
• Complex: These are less common, more painful, and larger than a simple canker sore. They can last for a month or more and even leave a scar. Underlying health conditions are often the primary cause. Complex mouth ulcers can occur if you have the following health conditions:
  • HIV-AIDS
  • Auto-immune diseases (i.e., Celiac disease, Chron’s disease, Behcet’s disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, and Lupus)
  • Oral care product allergies

What Is the Difference Between a Mouth Ulcer and a Cold Sore?

People often use the terms cold sore and mouth ulcer interchangeably, but they are entirely different conditions.

• Cold sores are blisters filled with fluid, and mouth ulcers are yellowish or off-white spots with a red halo.
• Mouth ulcers are not contagious, while cold sores are transmissible. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and genital herpes virus (HSV-2).

What Are the Canker Sore Symptoms?

A tingling or burning sensation a day before the sore appears is the most common way to tell when it’s coming. Other less common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Weight loss
• Sluggishness
• Thrush infection

Contact a doctor if your canker sore…

• …has already lasted over three weeks in duration.
• …is spreading.
• …is larger than usual.
• … makes it difficult to drink water.
• …is causing severe pain.

What Causes Canker Sores?

The exact cause is unknown; however, you’re at greater risk if your family has a predisposition to contracting mouth ulcers. Other common causes include, but are not limited to:

• Mouth injuries (due to dental work, braces, dentures, sports)
• Food allergies
• Citrus consumption
• Vitamin B12, folic acid, zinc, or iron deficiency
• Stress
• Abnormal sleep schedule
• Hormones
• Smoking
• Oral cancer

Some medications can also trigger mouth ulcers, such as:

• Beta-blockers
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Aspirin
• Antibiotics
• Immunosuppressants
• Platelet aggregation inhibitors
• Antihypertensives

What Are Canker Sore Treatments?

Consult a doctor or a reliable online source if you don’t know how to get rid of canker sores. Most cases usually go away after a few days, so they shouldn’t warrant further research or attention; however, to quicken the healing process, there are over-the-counter medications you can purchase.

1. Analgesics are considered temporary anesthetics. They are numbing gel/liquid products containing benzocaine and momentarily easing discomfort.
2. Antiseptics have active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, sodium bicarbonate, and chlorhexidine gluconate. They can speed up the healing process of your mouth ulcer by killing the bacteria around the sore.
3. Occlusives are films that serve as a layer of protection. They last longer compared to analgesics, and you can easily purchase them from most drug stores.
4. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can alleviate pain and minimize swelling. Read the instructions carefully to consume the proper dosage and avoid any side effects.

Suppose the mouth ulcer doesn’t go away after a few days, and new ones are appearing. In that case, your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid ointment, prescription antibacterial mouthwash, or an alternative solution to reduce discomfort and pain.

There are also home remedies with unproven benefits you can try, like:

1. Putting ice chips in your mouth to combat pain and discomfort.
2. Avoiding acidic and spicy food and drinks.
3. Using mouthwash and topical medication to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Alternatively, you can rinse your mouth with a saltwater or baking soda solution or chamomile- and sage-infused water (used four to six times a day).
4. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush gently.
5. Drinking carrot, cantaloupe, or celery juice.
6. Switching out your toothpaste and mouthwash if they have sodium laureth sulfate.
7. Consuming zinc lozenges. They may speed up the healing process and provide relief. Don’t give lozenges to children because they can be a choking hazard.

Advanced Dental Group will connect you to the best dentists in your area if you or someone you know is suffering from a complex canker sore or another dental concern. Call us today.