Canker Sores

People who have suffered from those open, shallow sores in their mouths know how painful and annoying they can be. Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, appear in the mouth and can really put a damper on eating, drinking and talking due to pain and discomfort. They are fairly common with about one in five people getting them recurrently. There are different types of canker sores that range from minor to severe herpes-like sores.

Symptoms

Canker sores are usually red or may sometimes have a white coating over them. In most cases, they are painful and show up on the inside of your lips, your cheeks or at the base of your gums. Unlike fever blisters, canker sores will not appear on the outside of the mouth. Symptoms may also include:

• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fatigue

Causes/Risk factors

While there is reason to believe that certain types of bacteria and viruses have a role in stimulating the growth of canker sores, the exact causes are still unknown. However, studies have shown that there are some risk factors that may make someone more apt to getting canker sores than others. Women and people in their teens and 20s tend to get them more often. Mouth injuries, stress, poor nutrition, food allergies and menstrual periods may also increase your chances of getting these painful sores. Canker sores might also run in the family, so if your siblings or parents get canker sores often then you will be more likely to get them as well.

Treatment

Minor canker sores don't usually require a treatment plan as they tend to clear up on their own, but larger sores often need medical care. For those who need treatment, there are a number of options.

• Mouth Rinses
• Topical Pastes
• Oral Medications
• Debacterol
• Nutritional Supplements

While there hasn't been a cure for keeping canker sores at bay, there are things that you can do to reduce their frequency. Avoid acidic or spicy foods that irritate the mouth, brush your teeth with a soft bristled brush and try not to chew gum regularly. Always call your doctor is the sores begin to spread or last longer than 3 weeks so they can relieve some of your discomfort and stop the sores from getting worse.