Canker sores, or mouth sores, can be caused by injury, stress, or certain diseases. They can be minor, major, or herpetiform and may require medical attention if they persist or worsen. Treatment options include prescription mouthwashes, topical medications, and dietary supplements.
Mouth sores, also known as canker sores, are oval-shaped sores that form on the surface of soft tissue inside the oral cavity. Due to various factors, including injury and stress, canker sores can manifest in different ways and affect the ability to eat or speak normally. There are a variety of treatments for canker sores and their use depends on the individual and the severity of the lesion. A mouth sore that doesn’t heal, or gets worse, may be indicative of a more serious condition and require additional medical attention.
Canker sores can be classified into three distinct categories. Minor wounds are less than half an inch (about 12 mm) in diameter, usually heal within two weeks, and leave no scars. Irregularly shaped canker sores, which are more than half an inch in diameter, are considered major sores and can take more than a month to heal and scar the affected tissue. Herpetiform lesions of the mouth are small, oddly shaped sores that form in clusters and can heal within two weeks without scarring. An individual with canker sores may experience additional symptoms, including fever and swollen lymph nodes.
There are a variety of factors that contribute to the development of canker sores. Individuals subjected to extreme stress, have certain food allergies, or consume a diet lacking essential vitamins and minerals, including B-12, iron and zinc, may be more susceptible to developing mouth lesions. Those who have sustained a mouth injury or accidentally bitten the inside of the cheek may be at a higher risk of developing an ulcer. The presence of diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and Behcet’s disease, or a compromised immune system can also contribute to an individual’s susceptibility to mouth ulcers.
There are no established tests for diagnosing canker sores. Most sores are easily identified and can be discovered during a routine exam. Individuals experiencing recurring mouth sores, unmanageable or extreme discomfort with a mouth sore, or extensive fever in the presence of canker sores should seek immediate medical attention. Persistent symptoms may be indicative of a more serious condition that requires further testing and treatment. Although mild canker sores don’t usually require medical attention, larger mouth lesions usually do.
Prescription mouthwashes are helpful in shortening healing time and easing the discomfort associated with larger canker sores, but their use can increase an individual’s susceptibility to further outbreaks. Topical medications can be applied directly to the wound to ease discomfort and shorten healing time. For major sores that do not respond to standard treatment, an oral antibiotic or steroid drug may be prescribed. Sores that form due to an unbalanced diet can be relieved through the use of dietary supplements, available over the counter. Individuals suffering from canker sores resulting from a secondary condition may undergo additional treatment to alleviate the underlying cause of the outbreaks.
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