Canker Sore Help

What Are These Nasty Little Things?

Also known as "aphthous Ulcers," canker sores are small, painful ulcers that can appear on the tongue, the lips, the gums or the insides of the cheek. A sore begins as a red spot which then becomes covered with a mixture of fluids, bacteria and white blood cells. The development of the sore may be preceded by a burning or tingling sensation. Occasionally, the sore can display an open area in its center and be very painful, especially when it comes in contact with salty or spicy foods. These sores can either become quite large or stay very small depending on their location.

Canker sores do not form blisters as do cold sores (Herpes Simplex I), and they are NOT Herpes. They range in size from a small pinhead to the size of a quarter. They can appear suddenly, and just as suddenly disappear. Sometimes they last only 24 hours. Usually, they persist from a couple of days to 3 weeks. Some experts believe these painful mouth irritations are contagious, but others disagree.

What Causes Canker Sores?
Canker sores occur most often in females, for some reason. They can be attributed to a number of factors, including poor dental hygiene, food allergies, premenstrual syndrome, a viral infection, trauma (such as biting the inside of your cheek or tongue), stress and fatigue. They are also occasionally associated with vitamin deficiencies. Stress is, however, probably the most common cause of these sores. For more on Stress Management, check out that article.

Treatment
A health-care provider will sometimes prescribe a mouthwash that contains antibiotics. Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater often speeds up healing. Never use more than 1 tsp. of salt per glass of warm water, and DO NOT swallow this mixture. If you have an ulcer in your mouth that does not heal, consult your dentist, especially if you are a smoker.