What is a canker sore
A canker sore, also known medically as aphthous ulcer, it is a common form of mouth ulcer, it is a painful open sore that is found in the mouth. They are normally found on the inside of the cheeks, under the lips or tongue, or on the base of the gums. Canker sores are generally yellow or white with a bright red outer border area. They are not cancerous.
A canker sore is not the same as a cold sore, in that cold sores usually only appear on the outside of the mouth and unlike cold sores canker sores are not contagious.
Canker sores can effect anybody and most people will have a canker sore at some point in their lives, it is estimated that as many as 1 in 5 people will regularly suffer from canker sores. However they do appear to effect people in the fifteen to thirty five age group and they tend to effect more women than they do men.
Canker sores may become more painful when you eat, drink and talk.
Types of canker sore
There are three main classifications of canker sores they are:
- Minor – typically under 1/2 inch in diameter, thay can be painful but they are often healed within two weeks.
- Major – typically over 1/2inch they can appear in odd shapes and will ususally last more than two weeks. this type of canker sore is not as common and can sometimes leave a scar.
- Herpetiform Canker sores – this is a group of very small blisters that look like one large canker sore. herpetiform canker sores can last from a week to a month.
What causes Canker sores
Despite vast amounts of research the actual cause of canker sores is still unknown. They do however tend to run in families, more so with sufferers of herpetiform canker sores. It is important that you understand that canker sores are unlike cold sores that are caused by the herpes simplex virus HSV-1
You may also develop canker sores when you:
- Damage your mouth, like biting your lip.
- Are tired or stressed.
- Have braces on your teeth, or sharp edge on your teeth.
- Badly fitting dentures.
- Suffer from food allergies.
- Consume products that include a lot of acid, such as orange juice.
- Have a deficiency of vitamins and minerals in your diet, especially iron and B12.
- Menstrual periods and hormonal changes.
If you suffer from recurring canker sores then you may have a condition known as Recurrent Apthous stomatitis this condition can be very painful. Recurring canker sores can also be an indication of a more serious problem as they are often the result of a lowering of the immune system so it is very important that if you find yourself with recurring canker sores that you seek medical assistance.
There are remedies for canker sores available in both over the counter and prescription forms. the over the counter remedies can come in the form of liquid sprays and patches. Prescription remedies are generally only used for chronic cases.