6 things to know about canker sores.
#1 - Canker sores only form in specific locations.
- The inside lining of the cheeks or lips.
- The tip or underside of the tongue.
- The floor of the mouth.
- In the back of the mouth near the tonsils.
- The soft palate.
Bottom line, if you have a mouth sore that has formed in a location other than one of those listed above, it most likely isn't a canker sore.
Need more details? Visit our page Identifying canker sores.
#2 - Canker sores have a specific look.
- A smooth, reddened border surrounding the sore.
- A white, loosely attached membrane covering
the sore's center ulceration. - Skin surrounding the sore that looks normal and healthy.
Additionally, canker sores ...
• Are small in size (less than 1/4 inch). • Only a few form (usually 1, possibly up to 6) • Heal within 4 to 14 days. • Are painful to touch, foods or beverages. • Are recurring (possibly several outbreaks per year). • Are not contagious.
Need more details? Visit our page Identifying canker sores.
#3 - A number of different factors can trigger canker sore outbreaks.
Research has yet to discover precisely why canker sores form but a number of events that seem to trigger them have been identified. For any one person, any one or combination of these factors might be involved.
Causes for canker sore outbreaks include ...
Need more details? Visit our page Canker sore triggers.
#4 - Home remedies for canker sores.
There are a number of things you can do to help to minimize your potential for having canker sore outbreaks.
- Since canker sore formation may be related to a dietary or nutritional deficiency, make sure you maintain a healthy diet. Taking a multi-vitamin may help.
- Monitor your diet so to determine if certain foods trigger your ulcer outbreaks. Keep a "food diary" or create "elimination" diets as a way of helping to identify those food items that lie at fault.
- Minimize your potential for mouth irritations that may develop into canker sores. Have your dentist repair broken teeth and dentures.
- Look for ways to moderate your stress levels. Yes, we know this is easier said than done, but doing so can certainly be beneficial.
Other things you can do to minimize canker sore outbreaks or alleviate ulcer pain:
• Swish with milk of magnesia / Benadryl mixture. • Eat "active culture" yogurt. • Use SLS-free toothpaste and mouthwash products. • Apply a tea bag. • Use a styptic pencil before the ulcer forms.
Need more details? Visit our page Canker sore home remedies.
#5 - Over-the-counter and prescription canker sore treatments and medications.
While there is no cure for canker sores, there are medications that can be useful in managing them.
The benefit of over-the-counter products is typically founded upon one of these treatment approaches.
- Products that create a protective film over canker sores. - A barrier film can help to minimize a sore's exposure to irritating substances such as hot or spicy foods and drinks.
- Medications used to numb canker sores. - Look for products that contain numbing compounds such as lidocaine, benzocaine or phenol. (Possibly incorporated into a barrier film-type paste.)
- Products that cleanse and sanitize canker sores. - A clean ulceration will likely heal faster and be less prone to developing a complicating secondary bacterial infection.
- SLS-free products. - Using products (toothpaste, mouthwash) that contain sodium lauryl sulfate may make a person more susceptible to canker sore formation.
Prescription medications useful in treating canker sores include: 1) Aphthasol (amlexanox) 2) Kenalog in Orabase 3) Collagenase inhibiting medications (tetracycline, chlorhexidine).
Need more details? Visit our pages OTC treatments for canker sores, Prescription medications for canker sores.
