Causes of Canker Sores
Simple canker sores
Canker sores most often affect people aged 10-20, occurring a few times a year. They are small, white sores on the mouth’s soft tissue, usually caused by trauma from biting or friction from braces. They are uncomfortable but typically heal on their own within a week and don’t require dental treatment.
Complex canker sores
Less common and typically larger than simple canker sores, complex canker sores often appear deeper in the tissue. They often present in clusters and take several weeks to heal. Occasionally patients with complex sores experience a fever or swelling in the neck area. Complex canker sores are thought to be caused by serious health problems like vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin B-12 deficiency or a poorly functioning immune system are likely causes. If you think you are experiencing the complex version of these sores, you should make an appointment with your dentist in Lincoln, NE to evaluate the area.
Common causes:
- Vitamin B-12 deficiency
- Food allergies
- Lifestyle stress (work, school, family)
- Eating a diet high in acidic foods (tomatoes, citrus, pineapple)
- For women, hormonal changes from medication, irregular menstrual periods and menopause.
- Sensitivity from sodium lauryl sulfate from toothpastes. Some patients need to avoid this ingredient due to allergies or sensitivities.
Canker Sores and Your Overall Health
As mentioned previously, patients who experience these sores on a chronic basis may have an underlying medical problem. Below are the most common medical problems related to chronic complex canker sores:
- Gluten intolerance
- Celiac Disease – a Genetic autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine.
- Crohn’s Disease.
- IBS.
- A small percentage of patients may develop severe canker sores which are persistent and rather uncomfortable.
- In infants, these sores can interfere with eating and require a visit to the pediatrician.
- HIV patients
- Patients undergoing chemotherapy
Home Relief Remedies
- You can wait for the sores to heal on their own, usually this can range from 1-4 weeks depending on whether it is a simple or complex.
- To help heal the sores faster, you can get a prescription from your dentist in Lincoln, NE for Debacterol, a prescription strength treatment, prescription mouth rinse or steroid medication.
- Avoid trigger foods-Gluten and Citrus
- Apply healing essential oils to the area with a cotton swab
- Apply Aloe Vera gel to the wound
- Rinse with milk of magnesia and liquid antihistamine for topical relief.
- Dab the ulcer with a cotton swab soaked in one part hydrogen peroxide and one part water
Lifestyle Changes For pevention
- Managing stress
- Managing anxiety
- An adequate amount of sleep
- Addressing nutritional deficiencies such as: Iron-seafood, peas, spinach.
- Vitamin B12-eggs, cheese, red meat, fish
- Folate-leafy greens, broccoli, asparagus, avocado
Commonly Asked Questions About Canker Sores
How do you get canker sores?
How do you get canker sores? Canker sores can be caused by irritation or trauma to the area, food allergies, stress, anxiety, vitamin B-12 deficiency, poor diet and poor overall health can all trigger canker sores.
Are the sores contagious?
Are canker sores contagious? No, canker sores are not contagious. Sometimes patients confuse canker sores and cold sores. Cold sores are contagious and are caused by a virus.
How long do these sores last?
How long do canker sores last? Simple canker sores usually heal within a week or two while complex canker sores may take several weeks to completely heal without treatment. If your canker sore has not healed after two weeks, you should call your dentist in Lincoln, NE to evaluate the area.
Why do I keep getting canker sores?
Why do I keep getting canker sores? Recurrent canker sores or canker sores that do not heal promptly could be due to an underlying systemic condition such as food sensitivities (gluten or acidic foods) or triggered by stress and anxiety.
What is the difference between a cold sore and a canker sore?
What is the difference between a cold sore and a canker sore? Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Virus Type 1. Cold sores are contagious and spread from person to person via saliva or direct contact with the skin. Cold sores cause a blistering lesion to form on the mouth and lips. Other names for cold sores are fever blisters or oral herpes. Canker sores are usually caused from irritation, stress, vitamin deficiency or some other underlying medical condition. If you frequently get either type of lesion, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor or dentist in Lincoln, NE to make sure you do not have underlying medical or dental problems.
What does a canker sore look like?
What does a canker sore look like? Canker sores are usually a round or oval shaped ulceration that is white in the center and has a red halo. They are generally found on the mucosal lining of the mouth (around lips and cheeks or under the tongue. If your canker sores are not healing normally after two weeks, you should call your dentist in Lincoln, NE to check the area.
What’s an excellent way to treat canker and cold sores?
Asking “what’s an excellent way to treat canker and cold sores?” Canker and cold sores are different enough from each other. Cold sores are often caused in part by a weakened immune system. Eating a diet full of vegetables can offer your body the required vitamins and minerals. Using Vitamin C and probiotics daily can decrease the likelihood of both cold sores and canker sores.
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