Canker sores are small sores that appear on the inside of the mouth, especially the cheeks, the inside of the lips, and the tongue. They're also called aphthous ulcers. Rarely, they may develop on the gums or on the roof of the mouth. Small canker sores disappear within 14 days and don't scar. Large ones are less common, take weeks to heal, and can leave scars. Canker sores aren't contagious like cold sores are.
At any given time, 20% of Canadians will have a canker sore. They're most common in women and in people aged 10 to 40 years. Many people get them regularly, at least once a year. In the most severe cases, people get one after another.
Doctors don't know exactly what causes canker sores. They may be hereditary, but doctors have not figured out exactly how people inherit the tendency to get them. Researchers think they may be an overreaction to the Streptococcus bacteria, because the bacteria are often found in the canker sore. People with canker sores often have small injuries from dental injections and toothbrushes in the lining of the mouth. Allergies also may be associated with an increased risk for canker sores.
Canker sores often occur near the time of a menstrual period. They may also be brought on by stress - for example, many students get them during exams. Other possible causes include lack of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), folic acid, or iron. Certain foods may be triggers for canker sores or act as nutrients for the Streptococcus bacteria.
A canker sore appears as a round white spot with a red border. It forms on the soft tissues in the mouth, such as inside the lip or cheek, or on the roof of the mouth. Small ones are about 1 mm to 2 mm across and often come in groups. Large ones have an irregular shape.
Some people may feel burning or tingling up to 24 hours before a canker sore appears. Canker sores cause a lot of pain that lasts between 4 and 10 days. The pain is worsened by hot or spicy foods that touch the sore. Complications of canker sores can include fever, swollen glands, and feeling run-down. Sores that keep coming back can indicate that important vitamins may be low or that there is an underlying health problem.
Fortunately, canker sores do disappear over time and no further health risks are associated with them.
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