Small ulcers that occur in the lining of the mouth are known as Canker sores. These are often painful and sensitive. Canker sores are the most common causes of mouth sores. They are also known as Aphthous Stomatitis. They cause discomfort while eating and talking. They are not contagious and occur on the internal soft tissues of the mouth. They can occur at any age and may reoccur once healed



Canker sores are the most commonly occurring type of all sores or ulcers in the mouth. Canker sores typically appear as whitish oval or round ulcers of around a centimeter or less and have a reddish border. These ulcers or sores develop on mucus membranes in the mouth and could develop on the sides of the mouth or even on the tongue. The occurrence of canker sores is so high that it is believed that at almost any given time at least twenty percent of our population is afflicted with the problem.



Canker sores can affect almost anyone irrespective of age, but they generally tend to occur more often in women and teenagers. This may have some connection with hormonal changes and in some cases the problem may also be hereditary. Individuals with a family history of canker sores may not necessarily suffer frequent outbreaks but are definitely a lot more susceptible.

Canker sores are an extremely common and non threatening condition, but despite the fact that almost all of us have or will experience canker sores at some time in our lives there is a lot of confusion and a lack of information on the subject. It isn’t uncommon to hear one ask questions like “how long do canker sores last?”

Canker sores in the mouth and close to the lips are also often confused with cold sores that are caused by the much dreaded herpes virus. Canker sores however are not caused by any type of infection and are not in the least bit contagious. Looking through some cold sore and canker sore pictures should give you a better idea and help you identify the problem a lot more easily.



Canker sores are not a serious health condition and generally resolve naturally within a week or two, requiring no medical intervention or treatment as such. Home remedies for canker sores treatment can help to relieve the pain. Canker sores can however be extremely painful and discomforting, particularly when eating. Hot or spicy foods could cause the symptoms to intensify severely.

Home remedies for canker sores on the mouth, throat or lip, like salt water gargles can offer considerable canker sore relief and are frequently used as home treatments for both kids and adults. There are also plenty of over the counter medications for the treatment of canker sores in the mouth and canker sores on the tongue, and most of these involve applying gels or mouthwashes to the affected area.

Treating canker sores on the tongue or cheeks with home remedies alone may not help cure the condition effectively enough. Making simple dietary changes however can help with healing canker sores in the mouth naturally a lot faster.



Canker sores may often be confused with cold sores but this is quite erroneous as unlike cold sores, caused by the herpes virus which is highly contagious, cold sores are not contagious at all. Canker sores are usually not caused by any type of infection, but are generally a result of trauma or injury to the mouth, anxiety and a various other factors.



Cankers sores may be grouped into three categories based on the size of the sores:



Minor sores are the most common of all types of canker sores and may vary in size from just a millimeter to ten millimeters in diameter. Upto 80% of all canker sores fit into this category and they generally last for just a week to ten days.



Major sores are generally larger than ten millimeters in diameter and they could last for as long as a month or heal in as little time as ten days. Canker sores of this nature tend to cause some scarring once they heal.



Herpetiform ulcers heal quite quickly, lasting for just seven to ten days, like minor sores. The difference in this type of canker sores is however unmistakable in that they appear as a cluster of smaller sores, each measuring not more than three millimeters.

Burning and Tingling Sensation

Some of the symptoms of canker sores are as follows:-



Painful sores on the movable parts inside the mouth e.g. tongue. A sore may be small, red and may measure less than 10 mm. There could be a burning or tingling sensation before the sore appears. Once the sores burst there may be a white or yellowish coating over it and a reddish color around it. Apart from the ones mentioned above, other symptoms of canker sores could be swollen lymph nodes, listlessness and fever.

Symptoms of Canker Sores

Canker sores although often confused with the dreaded herpes induced cold sores are not all that hard to recognize. Canker sores are almost always characterized by their round or oval shape, with the center being white or slightly yellowed, with a red and inflamed looking border. Canker sores only form inside the mouth and you could develop canker sores on the tongue, on the cheeks, lips or towards the base of the gums, but it is unlikely for anyone to ever suffer canker sores in the throat. Although the sores may not be noticeable when they just begin to form you may notice some sort of a burning or tingling sensation in the area before the actual onset of the canker sores.



Canker sores do tend to occur quite frequently and those who are vulnerable to canker sores will experience the condition frequently. Unlike cold sores however you would never have an outbreak on any part of the body except in the mouth. If you are still worried about herpes you could always consult your doctor.



In very severe cases of canker sores it is possible that you may experience some other symptoms as well like fever, listlessness or sluggishness, and swelling or inflammation of the lymph nodes. In such a scenario it would be best to seek medical treatment from your doctor. Make sure that you seek medical treatment if you experience any of these other symptoms:



• If the canker sores appear to be unusually large



• If you suffer recurring ulcers with such a high frequency that new ones appear before the older ones can heal completely



• If the canker sores are persistent and refuse to heal, lasting for as long as three weeks or more



• If the canker sores extend into the lip themselves



• If the pain is excruciating and cannot be relieved with otherwise effective self care measures



• While some amount of difficulty eating is to be expected, it should not be so unbearable that eating or drinking becomes a task in itself



• If the canker sores are accompanied by a high fever



Canker sores in children are often caused by the appearance of new teeth but they can also be caused by misaligned teeth. Likewise the appearance of wisdom teeth or the presence of uneven or chipped teeth can cause abrasions against the inner mouth resulting in the frequent appearance of canker sores. If you suspect that the canker sores are caused by any dental problem or due to the use of certain dental appliances then it would be advisable to visit a dentist to get the problem rectified. This would be the only lasting solution to prevent frequent outbreaks of canker sores.


 

Deficiency of Nutrients

The actual cause of canker sores is not known till date. Some of the reasons believed to cause canker sores are follows:- Immune system malfunction A minor injury caused by eating rough foods like chips and nuts or by biting the inner portion of the mouth, Menstrual period, Food allergies, Deficiency of nutrients like zinc, iron, folic acid and vitamin B12, Heredity, Trauma, Bacterial infections, Gastrointestinal tract related diseases, Hormonal disorders.

Causes of Canker Sores

The exact causes of canker sores are not really understood but most observations would reveal the most common cause as being tissue injury from trauma or stress. Certain acidic foods may also trigger or worsen canker sores and psychological conditions like stress and anxiety can also cause the occurrence of canker sores. At times the problem may be attributed to an underlying health condition or nutritional deficiencies.

Remedies for Canker Sores

Canker sore prevention may be a lot easier than treatment in some situations, but very often, despite the best precautions you may still be afflicted with the painful condition. If modifications to your diet, reduction of stress levels, increased levels of dental hygiene and care and other preventive measures do not help prevent the appearance of canker sores you could try using a variety of natural canker sore remedies to relieve the pain and symptoms and hasten the healing process. You may often come across the question “how to get rid of canker sores fast?”, but the truth is that there is no quick cure for the problem. Most canker sore remedies for kids, toddlers or adults simply help to relieve the pain and symptoms and may hasten recovery to some extent, but there are none that work fast enough. With the best treatment canker sores will still last for a couple of days. Taking precautions and using remedies however will help to prevent further problems and will help avoid aggravating the condition, which would naturally prolong it.



Some of the effective home remedies for canker sores are as follows:-



• Rinse your mouth with aloe juice frequently.



• Put some alum on the canker sores. Repeat this twice a day. It helps to relieve the pain and quickens healing.



• Apply some baking powder on the sores. It could be used either in the powdered form or in the paste form. It will reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth.



• Rinse your mouth several times a day by a mouthwash prepared by mixing one tsp. of baking soda in half cup of warm water.



• Prepare a mouthwash by putting 5 to 6 drops of Grapefruit seed extract in a glass of water. Rinse your mouth with this at least once in a day. It is an excellent disinfectant.



• Prepare a mouthwash using three parts of water and one part of hydrogen peroxide. Use this mouthwash twice a day.



• Onion is another excellent home remedy for canker sores. Apply some raw onions to the sores.



• Rinse your mouth with plum juice. If the sore is too bad then apply the juice on the sore using a cotton ball.



• Eat fresh papaya fruit or chew fresh papaya leaves. If fresh papaya leaves or papaya fruits are not available then you can also use papaya tablets.



• Gargle your mouth with a solution made by mixing 1 tsp soda and 1 pinch of salt in a cup of warm water.



• Apply tea tree oil to the sores.



• Rinse your mouth three to four times a day with a solution made by mixing 2 tbsp. salt to 6 ounces of warm water.



• Apply some powdered Goldenseal powder to the sore or rinse your mouth with a mouthwash prepared by mixing ½ tsp Goldenseal powder to ¼ tsp salt and 1 cup of warm water.

Diet for Canker sores

Eat foods rich in vitamin B. Foods like whole grain and green leafy vegetables are good sources of vitamin B. Eat easily digestible foods, well cooked soft grains and light cooked vegetables. Eat yogurt daily. Active acidophilus in yogurt helps to heal and prevent the outbreak of canker sores. Avoid foods like coffee, citrus fruits and spices, as they may irritate your mouth. Spicy and acidic foods increase the pain; it is advisable to avoid them. Avoid hard foods like chips, wafers and nuts. Avoid diary products, salty foods, sweet foods, oily foods, and animal protein.

Suggestions for Canker sores

Do not eat and chew simultaneously. Brush your teeth regularly after meals. Application of ice eases the pain caused by Canker sores.