is there a way to prevent the pain of canker sores?
canker sores are painful and annoying, but there a ways to prevent the burn, including avoiding spicy foods, alcohol and using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
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canker sores are a bit of a mystery as nobody knows exactly why they occur most of the time. getty
also known as aphthous ulcers, canker sores come by their name honestly. aphthous is derived from the greek
aphthae, which means “to set on fire” — and if you’ve ever had a canker sore, you know how appropriate that descriptor is.
unlike cold sores which occur outside of the mouth, canker sores are small, inflamed lesions that form on the mucous membrane inside the mouth on the lips, tongue, cheeks, or gums and are quite common for people of all ages.
what are the symptoms of canker sores?
canker sores are usually white and reddish, only appear on the inside of the mouth, and the main symptom is, well, pain. while the sore is forming you may experience a burning or tingling sensation in that spot as a little red bump grows. the bump bursts after a day or so, leaving the whiteish open wound in its place. eating acidic, spicy or abrasive food may irritate the sore further. symptoms are usually quite mild and disappear on their own.
some people get a canker every few months or longer, but they can also show up in groups of two to four and pop up again after a few weeks, according to the national library of medicine.
canker sores can also vary in size, and while most of the time they appear quite small and are just a few millimetres in size, they can appear up to half an inch across. a normal-sized canker sore is referred to as a minor canker sore, while the larger size is called a major canker sore. they can sometimes appear pinhead sized in a cluster and are referred to as herpetiform canker sores in that instance. herpetiform canker sores are not common and typically occur in older people, reports the mayo clinic — they are not related to a herpes infection.
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why and how do we get canker sores?
canker sores are a bit of a mystery as nobody knows exactly why they occur most of the time. the national library of medicine reports that cankers are believed to run in the family and that stress, hormonal changes and a weakened immune system could influence how often they occur.
some experts believe vitamin b or iron deficiencies, injuries to the lining of the mouth, as well as a sensitivity to chocolate, coffee, strawberries, eggs, nuts, cheese, or spicy or acidic foods can lead to more canker sores developing.
we do know that canker sores are not contagious and can not be spread through saliva, so you can’t pass them along with a kiss or by sharing food.
how can canker sores be prevented?
since we don’t often know exactly what causes canker sores, there is no medication or method you can use to prevent them. but cedars sinai recommends keeping your mouth clean of food that could trigger an outbreak by brushing your teeth and flossing regularly. taking steps to reduce damaging tissue in your mouth by reducing your intake of fizzy drinks, and alcohol, wearing a night guard if you grind your teeth, and brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
how many people get canker sores?
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because they are so mild, it is difficult to say exactly how common canker sores are, but some experts believe they occur regularly in one in 10 people while other estimates believe that number could be one in 5.
either way, canker sores are common and can occur in any one at any age, though they usually start to show up in people between 10 and 20 years old, according to kidshealth.
they are also more common in women than in men, and 85 per cent of people who get canker sores get the minor version. just 10 per cent of people with canker sores get a more bothersome version.
how are canker sores treated?
in most cases, canker sores heal on their own and disappear after a few days. there are topical treatments such as gels and creams that can soothe the sores, but most people don’t need any treatment at all.
for people that have major canker sores, which can last up to six weeks and leave “excessive” scarring, anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed as well as creams or gels.
when to see a doctor
when the canker sores are abnormally large or won’t heal after a couple of weeks, check with a doctor to see what kind of treatment might work for you. it’s also worth getting medical advice if you are having repeated outbreaks with no sores forming before old ones heal, if the pain becomes unbearable, you are having a hard time eating or drinking anything or you get a fever along with the sores. some diseases such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease or behçet’s disease might cause inflammation of the mouth that is very similar to canker sores.
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nick beare is a toronto-based writer.
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