Canker sores are painful white sores in the mouth. They usually begin with a tingling feeling, followed by a red spot or bump that turns white. Canker sores appear most often on the tongue, inside the cheeks, and inside the lips.
They can be very painful and can make talking, eating, and drinking difficult. A canker sore may form after an injury or stretching of tissues in the mouth, which can happen, for example, during a dental procedure or teeth cleaning. If you accidentally bite your tongue or the inside of your cheek, you may end up with a canker sore. Other possible causes are infection, certain foods, and stress.
Canker sores are not contagious. The pain from your canker sore should decrease in 7 to 10 days, and it should heal completely in 1 to 3 weeks. In most cases, a canker sore will go away by itself. Home treatment can ease pain and discomfort. If you have a large or deep canker sore that does not seem to be getting better after 2 weeks, your doctor may prescribe medicine.
Canker sores often come back again. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Sodium lauryl sulfate SLS , an ingredient in many toothpastes and mouthwashes, has been linked to canker sores, and sometimes the sores can be a sign of an immune system problem.
Finally, not getting the right nutrition such as not getting enough iron or vitamin B12 also might contribute to some cases of canker sores. Canker sores are fairly common, but that doesn't mean they should be ignored. If you have sores that last longer than 2 weeks or you can't eat or drink because of the pain, call your doctor.
Also call if you get the sores more than two or three times a year. Usually, no tests are needed to diagnose canker sores. Your doctor can identify them based on your medical history and physical exam alone. In some cases, doctors may want to do blood tests to find out if another condition — like a vitamin deficiency, a problem with your immune system, or even a food allergy — could be contributing to the sores.
Most canker sores will heal on their own in a few days to a couple of weeks. While you're waiting for them to disappear, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for the pain.
You'll also want to watch what you eat. Spicy foods and acidic foods such as lemons or tomatoes can be extremely painful on these open wounds. Stay away from hard, scratchy, or crunchy foods like nuts, toast, pretzels, or potato chips for a while. Avoid canker sores with these tips: Brush and floss after meals to keep your mouth clean and free of excess foods. Use a soft toothbrush to prevent irritation to your mouth and gums.
Use orthodontic waxes to cover up any sharp edges on braces or other dental devices. Practice stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation. Keep a food diary. You may find connections between when canker sores appear and what you eat. When to see a doctor about canker sores? Tags: Expert Advice. Popular Categories. Canker sores are open, painful sores in the mouth caused by various genetic factors. They appear as circular lesions and often cause a tingling or burning sensation in the mouth. If you have canker sores that make you feel sluggish, along with a fever and swollen lymph nodes, seek medical attention immediately.
Sometimes canker sores are confused with boils. While the two can sometimes appear similar, they are different. Boils form from infections that develop in the oil glands or hair follicles on the skin.
Often boils start as a sensitive area of the skin that eventually firms. A boil usually contains a pus-filled center that oozes. A canker sore is a flat ulcer that has lost the outer coating of tissue. It is not a fluid-filled lump or bump. It may be white, yellow, or gray with a red border. In some cases, a canker sore may ooze with pus. If this happens, the canker sore is likely infected. Call a healthcare professional or seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing the following from your canker sore:.
Canker sores are shallow wounds. They are not blisters, boils, or pimples. Canker sores cannot pop as there is nothing to squeeze out. When canker sores develop, your mouth may tingle before they appear. Shortly after, a small red bump forms. After a day or so, the bump bursts. A shallow white or yellow open wound is left with a red border.
Canker sores are unlike boils because boils are filled with pus while canker sores are not. Boils appear as bumps and canker sores look flat. There are several home remedies and over-the-counter treatments to speed up the healing process of mouth sores. If you have several mouth sores, your doctor may prescribe a mouthwash containing the steroid dexamethasone.
This type of mouth rinse helps reduce the pain and inflammation of mouth sores. Topical over-the-counter and prescription items may help reduce pain and speed up healing when applied to individual canker sores. Topical products for mouth sores often include ingredients like benzocaine, fluocinonide, or hydrogen peroxide. When mouth ulcers are severe or do not respond to topical products, oral medications may be prescribed. Ibuprofen may reduce pain from canker sores. Oral steroid medications are also an option.
Mouth sores rarely prompt any side effects. However, some canker sores may require advice or attention from a doctor. There is no overnight cure for canker sores.
However, there are home remedies and OTC treatments for them.
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