CANKER SORES

While no one knows for certain what causes canker sores, some researchers believe that the following could play a role in developing canker sores:

• Genetics
• Fatigue
• Stress
• Poor Immune System
• Undergoing Chemotherapy
• Biting the cheek, lips or tongue
• Chewing sharp bits of food
• A sharp tooth rubbing against the cheek
• A dental or orthodontic appliance rubbing against the cheek
• Nutritional problems or deficiencies
• Menstrual periods
• Food allergies

Canker sores are very common. Even though there is no way to say for sure what causes these painful little sores, they usually disappear in about 7 - 10 days.

How to Ease the Discomfort of Canker Sores

Canker sores hurt and there is no cure for canker sores. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to ease the pain until the sores go away on their own - usually one to two weeks. If a canker sore lasts more than two weeks, you should see your dentist.

Different treatments may work better for some people than others. If you get a canker sore, you might want to try several of these treatments to see which one best relieves your discomfort:

• Dilute one part hydrogen peroxide with one part water. Use a Q-tip^® to dab mixture on the canker sore. Next, dab a little milk of magnesia with a Q-tip^® onto the sore. Repeat two or three times a day. While this remedy is very soothing, some research suggests that this treatment could possibly speed up the healing process of canker sores.
• Rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash such as Crest Pro Health^® or Listerine^®.
• Use Tylenol^® or Ibuprofen for pain relief.
• Avoid hot and spicy foods and foods with sharp crunchy edges, such as nacho chips, which can poke into the canker sore. (Ouch).
• Avoid acidic foods or beverages such as orange juice. Anything acidic produces a burning sensation when it comes into contact with the sore. Trust me on this one.
• Let ice chips melt on the canker sore. This might help the discomfort a little.

Many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy develop a lot of canker sores. If this is the case with you or someone you know, your doctor or dentist can give you a prescription for a mouth rinse that might help more than over the counter products. The prescription mouth rinse called Duke's Magic Mouthwash^® worked the best for relieving their canker sore pain.

Canker sores, also called aphthous ulcers, are small sores that form inside of the mouth. Early symptoms of developing a canker sore could be a small bump or red spot that produces a slight burning or tingling sensation. Canker sores commonly appear inside the cheeks, lips, on or under the tongue, the roof of the mouth and on the gums. They are usually white, yellow or light gray and sometimes have a small red border surrounding them.

Canker sores can be very painful, especially when talking or eating. While there is no cure for canker sores, there are some treatments that you can try to ease the discomfort.

Canker sores are not the same as cold sores. Canker sores are not contagious, whereas cold sores are highly contagious. Cold sores usually form on the outside of the mouth around and on the lips and not on the inside of the mouth like a canker sore.