Canker Sores (Aphthous Stomatitis Or Recurrent Mouth Ulcers)

Book an Appointment Call Now

September 18, 2017

What Is It?

Canker sores are painful, round mouth sores. They show up in several places:

  • On the inside of the lips
  • Inside the cheeks
  • On the tongue
  • At the base of the gums
  • On the roof of the mouth (palate)

Canker sores often run in families. They also are linked with other diseases, including Behcet's syndrome. You may have only one canker sore at a time, or many of them all at once. Most people get one, two or three sores at a time. But some people have 10 or more at a time. People who get canker sores typically have them a few times each year. Canker sores are not contagious.

Scientists don't know what causes canker sores. Most believe that there is a problem with the body's immune system. Emotional stress, menstruation or injury to the mouth are common triggers for simple canker sores. Certain foods such as citrus or acidic foods may trigger a canker sore or make one more uncomfortable.

Other conditions cause similar sores:

  • Blood and immune system diseases, including HIV
  • Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  • Allergies
  • Trauma
  • Crohn's disease
  • Lupus

Canker sores are often confused with cold sores. Cold sores are caused by a virus.

About half of the population get canker sores. Smaller canker sores usually heal within a couple of weeks and do not leave scars. For most people, they are just annoying. But some people get larger canker sores (almost one-half inch across or larger). These take longer to heal. They can be painful, and may leave scars. These sores may be so uncomfortable that it is sometimes hard to eat or speak.

Symptoms

You may feel a burning or tingling on your inner cheek, lip or tongue before a sore starts. Each sore takes two to three days to form. The sores are round and shallow.

Diagnosis

Usually, you do not need to visit a doctor for your canker sores, unless it is the first time you have them. If your sores become worse over time, or start showing up more often, see your physician or dentist. He or she can do some tests for blood diseases, connective tissue diseases, drug reactions and skin disorders.

Sometimes a biopsy is needed to make sure the mouth sore is not a different disease. In a biopsy, the area is numbed and a small piece of tissue is removed. Then it is examined in a laboratory.

Expected Duration

Canker sores are painful for 3 to 10 days. Most go away after 2 weeks.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent canker sores.

Treatment

Only the symptomms of canker sores can be treated. Treatment is meant to make you feel better until the sores heal. Treatment cannot stop you from having canker sores again.

To reduce discomfort, you can:

  • Eat bland foods
  • Rinse with warm water
  • Use pain-relieving gels or creams on the sores

People with larger or very painful sores may need steroid medicines. These are gels or creams that are placed on the sores. They make the sores heal faster. They also keep the sores from growing.

Other possible treatments include injected steroids. There are also a few medicines you can take by mouth, but this is for the most serious cases.

When To Call a Professional

You should visit your dentist or physician if:

  • You are having sores for the first time
  • Your sores are larger than 1centimeter (almost one-half inch) across
  • You get more sores now than you used to
  • You get sores more often than you used to
  • You have other symptoms with your sores, such as:
    • Rashes
    • Joint pain
    • Fever
    • Diarrhea

Prognosis

Most canker sores clear up without treatment and do not leave scars. In more severe cases, medicines often help to speed up healing.

Back to Press Center

Testimonials

The dentist fit me in last minute when my normal dentist was unavailable I tried them on the recommendation of a friend after I broke a veneer and had 3... Read more

Mark Krawiec (Hollywood, FL)

Dr. Dmitry Gorbatov and his team provided an exceptional dental experience. Their attention to detail, gentle approach, and thorough explanations made me feel at ease throughout the procedure. Truly a... Read more

LANA C

I are retired dentist and visit dr Gorbatov,s office like a patien for dental works. We graduate the same school New York university and l can tell you the dr... Read more

Shmuil Aronovich (Hallandale Beach, FL)

I have been a patient of dr.Gorbatov for almost 10 years. His approach to every dental problem or concern is extremely professional and very compassionate. My complicated oral surgery went... Read more

Serguei Eremkine

Very impressed with Dr. Gorbatov's ethics. He truly cared about my situation, the fact that I was from another city and had limited time off of work to address my... Read more

Tatiana Safonova (Sunny Isles Beach, FL)

The best Doctor and assistants, who really care about their patients and work professionally. They helped me to save a tooth, when other doctor refused to do so, and what... Read more

A

Dr. GORBATOV is the most charismatic, cheerful Dentist with tremendous energy. Today I can confirm that he is the best dentist in Florida. He had been looking for a good... Read more

Myriam Harter

S u p e r b ...Immaculate dentistry! I was impressed with a GREAT attention to details! His work is truly an ART and priceless! Everyone in the office is... Read more

Gordana Skracic (Aventura, FL)

Very gentle. Did not feel the needles. Dr. Gorbatov has great bedside manners. Explain the treatment in detail.

qspasalon hollywood beach florida

Book an Appointment
Skip to content

Appointment







Fill out email and/or message