Canker sores are painful ulcers inside the mouth, linked to genetics, oral trauma, and dietary deficiencies. They are not contagious and can be treated with topical medications. Women are more prone to them, and avoiding rough foods and consuming vitamins can help. If they spread or last longer than two weeks, see a doctor.
Canker sores are painful areas of ulceration along the delicate lining inside the mouth. The exact causes of these sores are not clearly understood, but they appear to be linked to genetic factors, oral trauma, and dietary deficiencies. Usually, they go away on their own after a short time, but if they’re spreading or painful, a doctor may prescribe topical medications to help reduce pain and reduce sores. Canker sores are also sometimes called canker sores.
A canker sore is not the same thing as a cold sore. Cold sores are associated with the highly contagious herpes virus and tend to appear on the lips, around the nose and other areas of the face. Canker sores appear only inside the mouth, along the inner lips, the lower margins of the gums, inner cheeks and under the tongue. Typically, they will appear red and sore and sometimes develop a cloudy white covering. They are also not contagious.
Women are more prone to canker sores than men and usually begin to appear in middle childhood. Women between the ages of 20 and 12 have the highest incidence and usually decrease after that time. For people prone to these sores, avoiding rough foods and sources of oral trauma will help reduce their incidence, as will consuming more vitamin B, folic acid, zinc, and iron. They also appear to have a genetic link; if someone in a person’s family has these sores, he or she is more likely to get them too.
When an ulcer does appear, it can be quite painful. Many people treat them at home by taking aspirin to reduce pain or by applying topical analgesic gels directly to the sore. Additionally, people with active sores should avoid eating acidic foods and chocolate, which can aggravate the ulcer. Even very salty and crunchy foods can be unpleasant to eat. Some foods, such as pineapples and mangoes, also contain enzymes that can be irritating.
If canker sores start spreading, last longer than two weeks, or are extremely painful, the person who has them should see a doctor. Although they are benign most of the time, these sores can sometimes be an indicator of a more serious medical problem, such as oral cancer. Additionally, a professional can prescribe medications to treat painful mouth sores and speed up the healing process.
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