“Sore mouth” and “sore ulcer” are interchangeable terms for painful spots inside the mouth caused by irritation, stress, or medication. Cold sores, caused by a virus, are different and often occur outside the mouth. Chronic sores may indicate more serious health conditions. Prevention includes avoiding highly acidic foods and maintaining good dental hygiene. Treatment is usually not required for canker sores.
In most cases, the terms “sore mouth” and “sore ulcer” refer to exactly the same thing, and as such the difference is usually only in usage. Oral health experts generally acknowledge that the terms are interchangeable when used to refer to painful spots or bumps inside a person’s mouth. Bumps by any name are usually caused by irritation, sometimes from highly acidic foods but sometimes also from accidentally biting the inside of the mouth. Stress can also be a cause, and sores can also be a side effect of some medications and medical conditions. Most of the time they will go away on their own with time and usually stop being painful about a day after they develop. There is usually a difference when it comes to sores that are on the outside of the mouth. These are usually known as cold sores; cold sores are usually caused by a virus and as such are often contagious, which is not a problem with normal mouth or canker sores. Doctors and dentists sometimes prescribe medications to relieve cold sores as well. Treatment is usually not required for canker sores.
Basic characteristics and symptoms
Sores inside the mouth are usually thought of as small sores or pockets of tissue that form in response to some sort of irritation. For most people, the mouth is a place that comes into contact with all sorts of substances through food, drink and regular air intake; as a humid environment, it is also a haven for all kinds of bacteria. Under ideal circumstances, these attributes all work together. When things go wrong or imbalances occur, however, sores and irritation sometimes develop, usually along the inside of the cheeks or at the gum line.
Symptoms of canker sores and mouth ulcers include painful gums and sores on the tongue, soft palate, or inside the cheeks. If mouth sores are indicators of a more serious health condition, you may be suffering from fever, swollen lymph nodes, or fatigue. These symptoms can be relieved with an antimicrobial mouthwash, ointment, or prescription. When it comes to prevention, most experts recommend that people avoid eating highly acidic foods and maintain good and regular dental hygiene.
Main causes
These types of internal mouth sores can be caused by a couple of different things, and some people are more prone to developing them than others. In most cases, stress and eating highly acidic foods are the most common culprits. Lemons and fresh pineapple are some foods often blamed; undercooked tomatoes and hot peppers can also be aggravating factors. Some medications, including chemotherapy, some arthritis medications, and some sleep aids, also list canker sores as a known side effect.
Reasons to worry about
Most of the time, canker sores and mouth ulcers shouldn’t be a cause for alarm. They usually go away on their own and treatment is rarely needed. However, there are some situations that may require further investigation. Chronic sores can be indicators of more serious health conditions, including cancer and non-herpetic infections. Canker sores and canker sores are also sometimes caused by a deficiency of various vitamins, such as iron and zinc. They can also suggest Crohn’s disease or a condition of the gastrointestinal tract.
Differentiate cold sores
Cold sores, also sometimes called fever blisters, are often lumped together with mouths and canker sores in casual conversation, although the two are very different in a couple of important respects. Location is one of the first distinguishing features, as cold sores most often occur outside the mouth, often on or just next to the lips. They are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). If there is an open wound, HSV can enter through the skin break. There may also be a tingling or burning sensation in the mouth as a kind of warning when an outbreak has just started.
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