Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Canker Sores

Do you have an irritating bump inside your mouth that’s causing discomfort and making it harder to eat or speak?

As uncomfortable as the occasional canker sore might be, knowing more about what they are and why they happen can help you get rid of a current sore and prevent them in the future.

We’ll provide expert answers to all your most important questions about canker sores in this article and help you discover ways to deal with this common medical concern in this article.

Ready to learn more about that painful bump inside your mouth? Let’s get started.

What are Canker Sores?

Canker sores occur inside the mouth in areas like the inner lips, gums, lining of the cheeks, and tongue. Most people notice a canker sore because it’s painful and may cause discomfort when eating, drinking, speaking, or brushing their teeth.

Also referred to as ​​aphthous ulcers in the medical community, canker sores can be a problem people only encounter occasionally, while others might develop them frequently.

What’s the Difference Between a Canker Sore and Cold Sore?

If you’ve developed a sore in or around your mouth, it’s understandable that you might wonder whether it’s a canker sore or a cold sore and how to tell the difference between the two.

It can be challenging to tell the difference between a canker sore and a cold sore without the help of a doctor because the causes and symptoms can be similar for both conditions.

Only a trained medical professional can make an official diagnosis based on your individual symptoms. Never attempt to self-diagnose or treat canker sores and cold sores without consulting a doctor.

But you may be able to identify which condition you have based on a few factors:

• Canker sores are not usually chronic and can go away with avoiding irritating foods and beverages or receiving the right treatment for medical conditions (like stress, hormonal imbalances, or allergies).
• Canker sores only develop inside of your mouth and usually heal within a couple of weeks.
• Cold sores are caused by a virus and can come back repeatedly, triggered by events like hormonal changes, being sick, stress, sun exposure, or facial trauma.
• Cold sores can develop anywhere in the oral region, both inside or outside your mouth, and can take six weeks or longer to heal.
• Cold sores start by appearing as a single or cluster of blisters that can change in texture or appearance, while canker sores tend to be a single spot of irritation inside of the mouth.

What Causes Canker Sores?

If you’ve determined that you have a canker sore, the first thing you probably want to know is how it happened.

And for a good reason: canker sores can be highly annoying, causing pain and discomfort when you move your mouth to eat or speak.

Fortunately, most canker sores have harmless causes. You may develop a canker sore due to one of these common reasons:

• Biting your cheek while chewing food or some other physical cause
• Stress
• Hormonal shifts
• Allergies and sensitivities to food, medicines, or dental care products (like toothpaste or mouthwash)
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Some bacterial infections

Are Canker Sores Contagious?

Fortunately, canker sores are not contagious, and they usually go away with the proper preventative measures.

However, cold sores are highly contagious, so knowing which type of sore you have to avoid transmitting a virus to someone else is crucial. Visit a doctor if you aren’t sure which type of mouth sore you have so you can prevent the spread of a potentially contagious condition.

Keeping yourself and others safe when you have a cold sore is pretty simple, as long as you follow a few basic rules while experiencing an outbreak:

• Don’t share lip balm, eating utensils, drinking cups, or straws.
• Avoid kissing until the sore has healed.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after touching your mouth or brushing your teeth.

How Can You Get Rid of a Canker Sore?

The first step in getting rid of a canker sore is to confirm your diagnosis with a medical professional, like a doctor or dentist specializing in oral health conditions.

Knowing the exact cause of your symptoms and having an expert prescribe the appropriate treatment is the safest way to properly get rid of your condition.

Treatment for canker sores usually focuses on preventing current and future irritation with measures like these:

• Track what you eat, avoiding the foods and drinks that tend to cause irritation.
• Make sure you consume enough B vitamins in your diet or through supplements.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush regularly and kill bacteria.
• Avoid alcohol-based mouthwash and certain kinds of toothpaste that may be too harsh for your needs.
• Protect your mouth with a night guard if you have jaw pain, wear braces, or deal with bruxism (teeth grinding).
• Reduce stress as much as possible.

Conclusion

It’s never convenient or fun to have a painful sore inside of your mouth! But it can happen to anyone, regardless of how well you care for your teeth or whether you’ve changed anything about your lifestyle.

Luckily, the information we’ve covered in this article will help you eliminate a canker sore and prevent future incidents.

But remember: if you experience pain or unusual symptoms that don’t go away with home oral health care techniques, see a dentist as soon as possible for professional help.