What Are Canker Sores, What Causes Them, and How to Treat Them?
1. Where do canker sores appear?
These mouth ulcers appear on the mobile mucosa. The most common sites are:
The inside of the cheeks
The inside of the lips and tongue
On the gums
On the soft palate
They usually appear as single lesions, but there is a condition known as recurrent aphthous stomatitis. This condition causes multiple lesions, typically no larger than 3 millimeters, which can merge to form a large ulcer with irregular edges.
2. Causes of Canker Sores
The causes of canker sores are often unknown. However, in cases of recurrent aphthous stomatitis or frequent isolated canker sores, there may be an association with one of the following factors:
Previous injury
Stress or depression
Smoking
Folic acid deficiency
Zinc deficiency
Iron deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Food allergies
Hormonal changes
3. Symptoms of Canker Sores
The main symptoms are the appearance of a white or yellowish sore with an erythematous (red) border. The first symptom of an oral ulcer is a burning or tingling sensation that precedes the appearance of the sore. When a patient experiences canker sores only occasionally, they can be difficult to distinguish, but for those who suffer from recurrent canker sores, they are easily identifiable.
In addition, the main symptom of canker sores is pain, which can even limit chewing. In cases of severe lesions, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and general malaise may occur.
4. How to Treat Canker Sores
There is no specific treatment, and healing usually occurs on its own within a maximum of 14 days, though typically sooner.
Until the lesion has healed, it is advisable to avoid foods that are overly spicy or acidic, such as citrus fruits.
There are gels available at pharmacies without a prescription that help soothe discomfort and promote healing. Some gels contain an anesthetic to reduce pain in more severe cases and maintain normal function.
For immunocompromised patients, it is recommended to use a chlorhexidine mouthwash to prevent infection of the canker sores and promote healing.
In cases of severe or debilitating pain, an anti-inflammatory medication will be prescribed to aid in recovery and the resolution of the lesions. The anti-inflammatory drugs of choice are: benzydamide, carbenoxolone, hydrocortisone, triamcinolone, or dexamethasone.
In cases of recurrent aphthous stomatitis or recurring isolated canker sores, laboratory testing should be considered to rule out vitamin deficiencies or food allergies.
Patients do not usually visit the dental clinic because of a canker sore, since these lesions heal without the need for intervention. However, dentists, for their part, must be alert to these signs that help assess patients’ oral health.
To do so, ongoing continuing education in dentistry is necessary so that dentists can identify these warning signs. At Inspiria Dental, you can find online dentistry courses covering more than 12 specialties.
