A canker sore, or aphthous ulcer, is an open and painful mouth ulcer or sore. It’s also the most common type of mouth ulcer. Some people notice them inside their lips or cheeks. They’re usually white or yellow and surrounded by red, inflamed soft tissue.
Canker sore symptoms include:
- a small white or yellow oval-shaped ulcer in your mouth
- a painful red area in your mouth
- a tingling sensation in your mouth
In some cases, other symptoms may also be present, including:
- swollen lymph nodes
- a fever
- not feeling well
Canker sores aren’t contagious. They usually heal within one to three weeks without treatment, although the pain normally goes away in 7 to 10 days. Serious canker sores may take up to six weeks to heal.
How a canker sore is treated
Canker sores usually heal without treatment. However, there are many helpful lifestyle changes you can make to treat canker sores. Brush and floss your teeth regularly to prevent a bacterial infection. Avoid spicy foods to speed up the healing process. Drinking milk or eating yogurt or ice cream can also help reduce the pain.
Pain can sometimes be severe. You can lessen the discomfort by gargling with mouthwash or salt water. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but it will help reduce pain.
Some ingredients in over-the-counter topical products can help relieve and heal sores, including:
- benzocaine (Orabase, Zilactin-B, Kank-A)
- hydrogen peroxide rinses (Peroxyl, Orajel)
- fluocinonide (Vanos)
Your doctor or dentist may prescribe:
- an antimicrobial mouth rinse, such as Listerine or mouth rinses with chlorhexidine (Peridex, Periogard)
- an antibiotic, such as mouthwashes or pills with doxycycline (Monodox, Adoxa, Vibramycin)
- a corticosteroid ointment, such as hydrocortisone hemisuccinate or beclomethasone
- a prescription mouthwash, especially one that contains dexamethasone or lidocaine for inflammation and pain
Home remedies for canker sores
Applying ice or tiny amounts of milk of magnesia to your sores can help relieve pain and promote healing. Rinsing your mouth with a mixture of warm water and baking soda (1 tsp. per 1/2 cup of water) can also help with pain and healing. Honey has been shown to be effective in treating canker sores as well.
Causes and risk factors
Your risk for developing canker sores increases if you have a family history of canker sores. Canker sores have various causes, and the most common ones include:
- viral infection
- stress
- hormonal fluctuation
- food allergy
- menstrual cycle
- vitamin or mineral deficiency
- immune system problem
- mouth injury
A deficiency in certain vitamins, such as B-3 (niacin), B-9 (folic acid), or B-12 (cobalamin), can make you more prone to getting canker sores. Zinc, iron, or calcium deficiencies can also trigger or worsen canker sores.
In some cases, the cause of a canker sore can’t be determined.
Canker sores vs cold sores
Cold sores are similar to canker sores. However, unlike canker sores, cold sores can appear outside of your mouth. Cold sores also appear first as blisters, not inflamed sores, and become sores after the blisters pop.
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. This virus is carried within your body and can be triggered by stress, exhaustion, and even sunburn. You can also get cold sores on your lips, nose, and your eyes.
How a canker sore is diagnosed
Your doctor can usually diagnose a canker sore by examining it. They may order blood tests or take a biopsy of the area if there’s a severe breakout or if they think you might have:
- a virus
- a vitamin or mineral deficiency
- a hormonal disorder
- a problem with your immune system
- a severe breakout
A cancerous lesion may appear as a canker sore, but it won’t heal without treatment. Some symptoms of oral cancer are similar to those of canker sores, like painful ulcers and swelling in your neck. But oral cancer is often indicated by unique symptoms, including:
- bleeding from your mouth or gums
- loose teeth
- trouble swallowing
- earaches
If you experience these symptoms along with canker sore symptoms, see your doctor right away to rule out oral cancer as a cause.
Complications of canker sores
If your canker sore is left untreated for a few weeks or more, you may experience other, more serious complications, such as:
- discomfort or pain while talking, brushing your teeth, or eating
- fatigue
- sores spreading outside of your mouth
- fever
- cellulitis
See your doctor if your canker sore is causing you unbearable pain or interfering with your life, and home treatments aren’t working. And contact your doctor even if these complications happen within a week or two of the sore developing. Bacterial infections can spread and create more serious issues, so it’s important to stop a possible bacterial cause of a canker sore quickly.
Tips to prevent canker sores
You can prevent the recurrence of canker sores by avoiding foods that may have previously triggered the outbreak. These often include spicy, salty, or acidic foods. Also, avoid foods that cause allergy symptoms, such as an itchy mouth, a swollen tongue, or hives.
If a canker sore pops up due to stress, use stress reduction methods and calming techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation.
Practice good oral health and use a soft toothbrush to avoid irritating your gums and soft tissue.
Talk to your doctor to determine if you have any specific vitamin or mineral deficiencies. They can help design a suitable diet plan and prescribe individual supplements if you need them.
Contact your doctor or dentist if you develop:
- large sores
- an outbreak of sores
- excruciating pain
- a high fever
- diarrhea
- a rash
- a headache