There are many misconceptions about canker sores and their relation to cold sores.  Canker sores, medically known as aphthous stomatitis, are not contagious and are not caused by a virus.  Canker sores occur inside the mouth while cold sores typically appear outside the mouth on the lips or under the nose. 

Canker sores are small shallow ulcers that appear on the soft tissues in your mouth.  For those of us that have experienced a canker sore a time or two, I think it is safe to say they can be very painful and irritating.  You will find that they occur on the soft palate (back portion of the roof of your mouth), on or under your tongue and on the inside of your cheeks.  You may even feel a tingling or burning sensation a day or two before the sore even appears.  Most of us experience minor canker sores that are oval in shape, red around the edges and white in the center which normally clear up in three to fourteen days.  But for those who have more severe or "major" canker sores, these are deep ulcers with irregular margins and can last for three to six weeks that leave you with extensive scarring. 

Now you may be asking yourself what causes these sores and how can I treat them?  The cause of canker sores is still unknown but it is suspected that stress, tissue injury, immune system deficiency or a combination of these contribute to the occurrence of them.  Other factors that can trigger canker sores are food allergies, vitamin B-12, zinc, folate or iron deficiencies, highly acidic foods, hormonal shifts, certain drugs, toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulfate and gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn's or Celiac disease.  Minor canker sores usually heal without treatment but you can do warm salt water rinses and apply over-the-counter ointments like Anbesol or Oragel to help with the pain. If you experience large or major canker sores, an antimicrobial rinse, corticosteroid ointment or a prescription to reduce the pain may be prescribed.

If you have experienced canker sores, you are not alone.  Good news is that you can prevent them!  Watch what you eat and choose healthy options to avoid any food sensitivities or allergies and help with nutritional deficiencies.  Avoid minor tissue injuries by not chewing and talking at the same time.  You can also prevent them with simply following good oral hygiene habits and avoiding rinses or toothpastes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.

Please give Dr. Saller a call if you experience an unusually large canker sore or sores that are persistent and painful.  Your oral health is our number one priority.
 

 

Getting that tingling feeling on your lip again?  Dreading what you know is coming?  Asking yourself, why now?  Well we are here to help.  Cold sores can be maintained if you know what signs to look for and if you start treating them in their early stages.