Canker sores are small, painful lesions that erupt in various places in the mouth. They usually appear red but may have a white coating and/or white circle (halo) around them. Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are called ulcers because they create a depression in the skin (as opposed to a raised area). Aphthous ulcers can occur on the lips, tongue, floor and roof on the mouth, and on the tonsils. Canker sores may also be called aphthous stomatitis (stomatitis is inflammation of the mouth)
What do canker sores feel like?
Cankers sores are painful – with the canker sore on tongue being one of the most egregious. While this may seem obvious, it is actually a very important clinical feature. Because there are many different mouth sores that mimic canker sores, the way they look and the way they feel to the patient help doctors distinguish between them. In general, canker sores cause more pain than other mouth sores. In fact, aphthous ulcers are so painful that people tend to eat and drink less to avoid the pain that these actions cause. Dehydration is a major problem in young children that have canker sores because they refuse to eat or drink—it is simply too painful.
How long do canker sores last?
People with canker sores often notice a prodrome, that is, a burning or itching that occurs one to two days before the canker sore actually appears. Simple canker sores usually last about a week and then heal on their own. On the other hand, major aphthous ulcers can last up to a month without relief. In people with depressed or deficient immune systems, canker sores can be quite extensive and last for months. Unfortunately many people that have canker sores one time will be plagued with them again and again throughout life, a condition known as recurrent aphthous ulcers.
Who gets canker sores?
Sadly just about anyone can get canker sores. Most people will get their first canker sore around age 10 to 15; however, canker sores can occur in people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Women tend to get canker sores more than men, but this may be due in part to the fact that women seek medical attention for canker sores more frequently than men. Unlike some similar lesions, like cold sores, aphthous ulcers are not contagious. Interestingly, the risk for developing canker sores can be passed in families. In other words, if you parents had canker sores, you are more likely to have them as well.
What causes canker sores?
The short answer to this question is that no one really knows. There are some causes of canker sores that have been theorized, but none have been proven. For instance, doctors and patients have noticed that emotional and physical stress can trigger the eruption of a canker sore. However, many people that endure stressful situations do not develop aphthous ulcers. Other examples of possible causes include vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, hormonal changes (such as during the different phases of the menstrual cycle), and as a consequence of viral infections. Most often, the canker sore appears in an area of the mouth that was injured in some way. This injury may have occurred from an accidental bite, vigorous tooth brushing, or sharp food abrading the tissue on the inside of the mouth.
