Canker Sores Are the Worst!
Canker sores are open, painful sores that occur in the mouth.
They are generally white or yellow with an inflamed red center.
These sores are not cancer, nor are they cancerous.
Oral cancers can start with what appears to be a canker sore, but unlike canker sores, they do not heal.
A small canker will take between seven and ten days for the pain to subside, and up to three weeks to heal.
A larger sore, greater than 1mm, can take up to four weeks to fully heal.
If what appears to be an open wound in your mouth has not healed within four weeks or so, a medical professional should be consulted for an appropriate diagnosis.
Symptoms can vary, but generally begin with localized pain, usually a tingling or burning, at the source of the lesion, which will then erupt into the open sore described above.
Sores can be comprised of a bump or even a grouping of bumps.
Other symptoms may or may not accompany the sore, including fever, general malaise and swollen lymph nodes.
Cankers often return, usually in the same spot.
Canker sores are also called mouth ulcers.
They occur more in women than in men, and usually appear between the ages of ten and forty.
They usually appear inside the cheeks and lips, on the palate, the tongue and the base of the gums.
They can appear spontaneously, but can also be triggered by aggressive tooth brushing, dental work or accidentally biting the tongue or inside of the mouth.
Other triggers can include auto-immune disorders, stress, dietary deficiencies or food allergies, hormonal changes due to the menstrual cycle or other hormonal shifts and imbalances.
Viral infections can also cause the eruption of these open wounds in your mouth.
There is no specific treatment, they will heal on their own, but it is advisable to avoid spicy foods that could cause discomfort to the open sore.
Over the counter medicines are available, and mouth washes or salt water can be effective in reducing the pain of a canker sore.
To prevent the sore from being infected with hostile bacteria make certain to brush the teeth and gums regularly, taking care not to aggravate the sore.
If cankers persist, or return rapidly and repeatedly then they should be looked at by a medical professional.
Other causes of mouth ulcers include allergies, herpes infection and fungal infections, to name a few.
If canker sores are a cause for concern they should be investigated.
A health care provider will be able to asses the sore and perform tests that will rule out more concerning health issues, and be able to provide informed advice in regards to treating a sore whose source is less benign than that of a canker sore.
They are generally white or yellow with an inflamed red center.
These sores are not cancer, nor are they cancerous.
Oral cancers can start with what appears to be a canker sore, but unlike canker sores, they do not heal.
A small canker will take between seven and ten days for the pain to subside, and up to three weeks to heal.
A larger sore, greater than 1mm, can take up to four weeks to fully heal.
If what appears to be an open wound in your mouth has not healed within four weeks or so, a medical professional should be consulted for an appropriate diagnosis.
Symptoms can vary, but generally begin with localized pain, usually a tingling or burning, at the source of the lesion, which will then erupt into the open sore described above.
Sores can be comprised of a bump or even a grouping of bumps.
Other symptoms may or may not accompany the sore, including fever, general malaise and swollen lymph nodes.
Cankers often return, usually in the same spot.
Canker sores are also called mouth ulcers.
They occur more in women than in men, and usually appear between the ages of ten and forty.
They usually appear inside the cheeks and lips, on the palate, the tongue and the base of the gums.
They can appear spontaneously, but can also be triggered by aggressive tooth brushing, dental work or accidentally biting the tongue or inside of the mouth.
Other triggers can include auto-immune disorders, stress, dietary deficiencies or food allergies, hormonal changes due to the menstrual cycle or other hormonal shifts and imbalances.
Viral infections can also cause the eruption of these open wounds in your mouth.
There is no specific treatment, they will heal on their own, but it is advisable to avoid spicy foods that could cause discomfort to the open sore.
Over the counter medicines are available, and mouth washes or salt water can be effective in reducing the pain of a canker sore.
To prevent the sore from being infected with hostile bacteria make certain to brush the teeth and gums regularly, taking care not to aggravate the sore.
If cankers persist, or return rapidly and repeatedly then they should be looked at by a medical professional.
Other causes of mouth ulcers include allergies, herpes infection and fungal infections, to name a few.
If canker sores are a cause for concern they should be investigated.
A health care provider will be able to asses the sore and perform tests that will rule out more concerning health issues, and be able to provide informed advice in regards to treating a sore whose source is less benign than that of a canker sore.
