Frequently Asked Questions About Canker Sores

Frequently Asked Questions About Canker Sores

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Canker Sores

Canker sores are a very common health problem. Almost everyone will have at least one in their lifetime, and at any given moment around 20% of the population is currently suffering from one. For how prevalent they are, these painful mouth sores are often misunderstood or confused with other issues. Here are some of the most common questions about canker sores answered.

What is a canker sore?

They are small, painful ulcers located in the mouth usually on the tongue or on the inside linings of the lips and cheek. They come in a variety of sizes but are usually pretty small in size. These lesions start as a red swelling that bursts open and is then coated in a thin yellow or white substance surrounded by a red circle.

How do you get canker sores?

It is not certain how canker sores form, and more than one cause is likely, even in one individual case. They are frequently food related, either because of allergies, hot temperatures, acidity, or spice. Other things that can bother the inside of the mouth such as chewing tobacco, smoking, braces, and careless biting may also lead to the sores. Female sex hormones, genetics, and immuno-suppressant disorders such as HIV/AIDS can also lead to ulcers in the mouth for different reasons.

Are cold sores the same thing as canker sores?

No, they are very different. Cold sores come mainly from the type one herpes simplex virus and cannot be cured. The virus lies dormant in the nerve cells in between breakouts and is very contagious. They also appear on or around the lip area as opposed to the inside of the mouth.

Are they contagious?

No, unlike cold sores which were just discussed, canker sores do not come from a virus or bacteria, so they can not be passed from person to person. It is recommended however to not kiss or share objects that interact with the mouth while there is an open sore because another person's bacteria may get in and aggravate it.

How do you treat a canker sore?

They will go away on their own with no help as they heal, but there are ways to alleviate the pain and prevent further infection. Things around the house like milk of magnesia, vitamin E oil, wet tea bags, and mouthwash can be put onto the opening to help. There are also medications both over the counter and prescription including benzocaine and anti-inflammatory gels or ibuprofen to dull pain.

Is there any way to prevent them?

There is no foolproof way to prevent a canker sore, but by avoiding certain things it is possible to lower the chance of getting one. Abrasive foods like potato chips, or spicy, acidic, and very hot foods should be eaten more rarely and in smaller amounts. Being careful with your mouth by avoiding injury in any way is another good way to prevent an aggravation.

Common Questions About Canker Sores

For such a common health issue, there is a lot of unknown surrounding what a canker sore really is. Everyone in the world will likely experience one of these painful mouth ulcers, but many will confuse them with something else, or not realize the cause. Following are a few frequently asked questions about canker sores.

What are canker sores?

A canker sore starts as a red swelling which is aggravated and finally opens into a lesion covered in a white or yellow colored film circles by a red, inflamed halo. They are found on the inside of the mouth on the linings of the cheek and inside of the lips, or on the tongue. There are three different types depending on what size they are, minor are the most common while major and herpetiform are less likely to occur.

How do you get a canker sore?

No one knows for sure why they develop, but there are many ideas including that there is generally more than one thing contributing to the sore. There are many ways that food can cause a canker sore to appear, because of how they affect the mouth. Spicy, acidic, and food that is too hot along with food causing allergies can aggravate the mouth and cause a sore. Other things that bother the mouth like rough contact from braces or teeth can also cause the swelling. Also there have been links to female sex hormones, immuno-suppressant disorders, and genetics as different causes.

Are they the same as cold sores?

Cold sores are very different from canker sores, despite the similar name and appearance. The herpes simplex virus is what causes the cold sore and it never can be completely gotten rid of. Instead the virus hides on the nerve cells between outbreaks when the virus can be passed to another person. Cold sores are also not in the same place, instead forming on or around the outside of the lips.

Can you catch them from someone?

No, canker sores are not contagious because they aren't cause by viruses or bacteria. Even though they can't be passed, you still shouldn't share things that come into contact with the mouth with others or engage in too much kissing, since your mouth will be more vulnerable to outside bacteria causing infection.

How are they treated?

Canker sores can heal on their own in as little as a week depending on the severity. There are many ways to reduce the pain and speed the healing process. Many items in your house can be used like vitamin E oils, wet tea bags, milk of magnesia, and especially some types of mouthwash. They also can help prevent further infection. Over the counter medicines like benzocaine and ibuprofen can help with pain, and a doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory gels if it is more serious.

How can you prevent canker sores?

There is no way to guarantee you will never get a canker sore, but by refraining from some foods and habits, you can reduce the chance of getting one. Foods that fall under the categories of possible causes mentioned earlier should be avoided like strong peppers and food that has not cooled off. Precautions should also be taken to prevent injury to the mouth, like well fitting braces and dentures and the use of mouth guards in sports.

Canker Sores: Your Questions Answered

If you've ever had a small, painful sore in your mouth, chances are you, along with most of the population, have experienced a canker sore. They are a very common dilemma that most people will endure at least once in their lives, but for something that occurs so often, canker sores are often mistaken for something else, or misunderstood altogether. Below are some of the more common questions asked about these small bothers.

What's a canker sore?

Canker sores are irritating sores that generally start as a red swelling that bursts open. They look like a small white or yellow ulcer surrounded by a burning red halo. There are three kinds of sores classified by their size, and are always located on the inside of the mouth, usually on the tongue or the linings of the lips and cheeks.

What causes a canker sore?

There are many potential reasons that canker sores form, and most agree that it can be a combination of these factors. Often times the aggravation in the mouth will start because of food, since it spends time in your mouth. Allergies, spice, acidity, and high heat can all affect the sensitive parts of the mouth leading to swelling. Also anything causing damage to the mouth like braces and biting can start a canker sore. Other disorders, hormones, and genetics may also be related.

Isn't it just another word for cold sore?

Actually, canker sores and cold sores are very different. Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, which is very contagious and cannot be cured. Outbreaks of the cold sores will continue for the rest of the patient's life, with the virus simply lying dormant when it is not visible. It also is not inside the mouth, but on or around the lips.

Is it possible to pass a canker sore to someone?

Because canker sores do not come from a virus or bacteria or anything that can be passed by contact, they are not contagious. However, it is wise to refrain from kissing or sharing saliva in any way while you have one, since bacteria from others may come into contact with the open sore and cause an infection.

Is there any way to treat them?

There is no serious need to treat a canker sore, since they will heal on their own in a short amount of time, though there are many ways to relieve the pain and speed the healing process. Milk of magnesia, vitamin E oil, tea bags, and many kinds of mouthwash are some home remedies. There are also medications available both over the counter and by prescription like anti-inflammatory gels or ibuprofen to aid discomfort.

Are they preventable?

There are ways to lessen your chances of getting a canker sore, though nothing is 100 percent effective. By avoiding the types of food discussed in causes, there is a smaller chance of a reaction in the mouth leading to one of these small lesions. It is also important to protect the inside of your mouth from harm during things such as contact sports by using mouth guards.

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