Canker Sores Can Cause the Mouth a Lot of Pain

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are small, open sores that develop at the bottom of the gum or on the mouth's soft tissues. Canker sores should not be confused with cold sores as it doesn't appear on the lips' outer portion and isn't catching. It can make chewing food hard because of the pain associated with it. Persons who suffer from canker sores will experience relief in one or two weeks. However, if the canker sore is not healing, is larger than usual, and is painful, they should visit the doctor or the dentist. There are different types of canker sores. Minor sores may appear one to four times yearly and usually affect persons whose ages range from ten to twenty. These canker sores normally go away within a week and are small. Major aphthous ulcers are rare. These are larger than normal and take more than a fortnight to heal. When it heals, there is scarring. While these are very rare, they show up in clusters of small sores, but they heal in a week. 

Causes of Canker Sores

The exact causes of canker sores are still not clear. Research done has shown that a combination of different factors can contribute to these sores. Some of the factors include: 

• Brushing too hard.
• Injuries after having dental work done.
• Different kinds of toothpaste or mouthwash which contain specific ingredients.
• Having sensitivities to foods like chocolate, eggs, coffee, strawberries, nuts, and spicy foods.
• A diet that doesn't contain iron and Vitamin B9, and Vitamin B-12.
• Having hypersensitivity to pathogens in their mouth
• A shift in a woman's hormones caused by menstruation
• Stress
• Some Medications 

They can also be caused as a complications of several diseases or conditions. These include: 

• Allergy to gluten which causes an intestinal disorder called Celiac disease.
• HIV/AIDS
• Having an immune condition that attacks the normal cells in their mouth instead of bacteria such as Lupus
• Having a disorder such as Behcet's disease that causes infection everywhere in the body.
• Crohn's disease which is a type of inflammatory bowel disease

A canker sore, unlike the common cold sore, is not associated with the herpes infection. Studies done show that every one in five persons gets them. Women are more inclined to get these sores because of hormonal interference.

Symptoms of Canker Sores

If someone is suffering from any of the symptoms below, they have aphthous ulcers. They include: 

• A large sore on the delicate palate of their mouth or the interior of their cheeks.
• A fiery or stinging sensation in their mouth before the sore appears.
• Sores in their mouth that are grey or white and have red edges.

Additional symptoms can also include: 

• Fever
• Swollen lymph node
• Tiredness

How to avoid getting canker sores

These sores are likely to occur, but people can reduce how often they show up. They simply need to follow these tips: 

• Watching what they're eating - Avoiding food that can irritate their mouth; these include chips, certain types of spices, some types of fruits such as pineapple, and avoiding food that triggers their allergies.
• Making healthier food choices - Eating many vegetables, whole grains, and fruits helps with the prevention of nutritional deficiencies.
• Protecting their mouth - Asking their dentist about orthodontic waxes to cover any harsh edges if they're wearing braces.
• Reducing their stress load - If their canker sore was stress-related, then figuring out the stressor and reducing it will help.
• Having excellent oral hygiene - Brushing and flossing their teeth after a meal can keep their mouth clear of build-up food which can cause canker sores. Avoid irritating their mouth by using a delicate toothbrush.

Aphthous ulcers sore pain normally goes away a few days after the sore emerges, and the sore goes away in approximately one week. If not, there are some treatment options. This can include simple things like using prescription mouthwash, medications or using specific supplements.