What are canker sores?

Aphthous ulcers, more commonly known as canker sores, are shallow, painful sores that appear on the tongue and inside of the cheeks and lips. In severe cases they can appear on the roof of the mouth and at the base of the gums. 

Are cold sores and canker sores the same thing?

No! Unlike cold sores, canker sores don't occur on the surface of your lips and they aren't contagious. However, they can be quite painful and can make day to day activities difficult. Most canker sores go away on their own in a week or two.

What causes canker sores?

The exact cause of most canker sores is unknown, but most develop where the inner-mouth tissue has already been damaged. Anything from biting the inside of your mouth, to irritation from braces rubbing the inner mouth and even eating certain foods can cause a canker sore to appear.

 

Who gets canker sores?

Anyone can develop canker sores, but they occur more often in teens and young adults, and they're more common in females. Often people with recurrent canker sores have a family history of the disorder. This may be due to heredity or to a shared factor in the environment, such as certain foods or allergens.

Treatment

Thankfully there are a ton of home remedies you can do yourself, ranging from baking soda or salt water rinses to the application of a black tea bag directly on the sore.

Avoid problem foods like potato chips and popcorn that are hard and crunchy and can cut the inside of your mouth, which can induce canker sores. Citrus fruits, sweets, and coffee have also been identified as triggers. Pinpoint your sensitivities and drastically reduce or eliminate them completely from your diet.

Although most canker sores are nothing to worry about, if you have a sore that is unusually large and painful, or canker sores that won't seem to heal, come into Kelowna Dental Solutions to have it checked out.