CANKER SORE or APTHOUS ULCER
Canker sores are an autoimmune condition with the exact cause not really known. They present themselves as a small shallow round sore with the appearance of being white or grey with red edges. A tingling or burning sensation may happen before the sores appear. Canker sores commonly appear on the soft parts of the mouth, such as the tongue, soft palate, inside the cheeks and lips, and the floor of the mouth. It’s not real sure why they happen but they’re recurrent and non-contagious.
There are two types of canker sores
Simple canker sores
Sores appear three to four times a year lasting up to a week at a time. Usually appear in ages 10-20 years old.
Complex canker sores
Sores appear more often throughout the year in people who have previously had canker sores. May be from an underlying health condition.
Sometimes canker sores are confused with cold sores, they are completely different. Cold sores are from the herpes simplex virus and are contagious. These sores appear outside of the mouth and start out as blisters and become sores after the blisters pop.
Canker sores have been mistaken with cancerous lesions. Lesions won’t heal and go away on their own. Oral cancer can change in size, color and bleed, with other side effects of trouble swallowing, loose teeth and possible earaches. Canker sores appear as way one and does not alter as they heal.
Causes
It’s not real clear what triggers canker sores, but here are some conditions that can trigger a breakout:
Stress or weakened immune system
Allergies to certain foods
Diet acidic and citrus foods such as fruits and vegetables
Trauma, by biting the lip or cheek, or a sharp tooth
Ill fitting dentures, retainers or orthodontics
Viral infection
Vitamin or mineral deficiency: such as B-3, B-9,B-12, Zinc calcium, folic acid and iron
Gastrointestinal tract disease, celiac or crohn’s disease
Hormonal changes or fluctuations
Genetics
Keeping track of when the canker sores happen and what causes them could be helpful in preventing them.
Treatment
Canker sores can be irritating, uncomfortable or outright painful. This discomfort can make it challenging to eat, drink, swallow or speak.
Time is the best remedy, it takes about 1-2 weeks to heal
Warm salt water
Gel or patch medication, acts as a cover on the sore to prevent the canker sore from being irritated by spicy or acidic foods
Antiseptic mouth rinse helps clean and provide relief from pain or discomfort
B-12
Chamomile tea with honey reduces pain and inflammation
Avoiding certain foods such as spicy, salty, acidic, and crunchy
Hydrogen Peroxide rinses
Benzocaine
Fluocinonide
Dental laser
Home Remedies
Ice
Milk of magnesia
Mixture of warm water and baking soda
Honey
Warm salt water rinse
