Dentists call canker sores aphthous ulcers. They are small white sores that occur on the inside of the mouth. The appearance is usually a white or yellow ulcer with a red ring around the lesion. Most canker sores occur on the inside of the cheek or lips. Other locations include below the gum-line, floor of the mouth and soft palate. Canker sores will often be grouped in clusters and tend to recur periodically. These sores may occur at any age and women tend to have more canker sores than men.
The cause of these ulcers is not known. Researchers think they may be related to the immune system or allergic reaction based on testing with anti-inflammatory drugs. Canker sores will often appear in response to stress, during the menstrual cycle, hormonal changes, food allergies and diet deficiencies. Additionally, any kind of mouth injury can create these lesions. Examples are toothbrush injury, recent dental work, dental cleaning or a chewing abrasion.
The most common treatment for this problem is over the counter salves. There are many on the market including Orabase with benzocaine and Anbesol. These ointments are merely numbing agents that will take away the pain and soreness for a while. They are helpful to make it easier to eat or if the sore is very uncomfortable. The sores usually cause pain for about 4 days and then will go away on their own in 10 - 14 days. To prevent further outbreaks some common sense approaches will help. Try to reduce stress as much as you can seems to be the top advice. Use a soft toothbrush and avoid foods that are crunchy, acidic or salty. Taking vitamins that are high in B-6, B-12 and iron also seem to be related to preventing these outbreaks.
Cold sores are not the same as canker sores. Dentists advise patients that sores occurring on and outside the lip are usually cold sores. These type of sores are caused by the Herpes virus and can be contagious. More information about this and gum disease is available at: www.Napervilledentistonline.com