Fix Canker Sores

Aphthous ulcers, or canker sores, are small lesions that form on the soft tissue in the mouth or base of the gums.  Canker sores, unlike cold sores, are not contagious and do not develop on the lips but may be painful and could create difficulties talking and eating.  Generally, canker sores will clear up on their own in one to two weeks.

Symptoms & Types of Canker Sores

Canker sores are usually oval or round with a yellow or white center and red border.  The sores form inside the mouth on the soft palate, base of the gums, inside of the cheeks or lips, or under the tongue.  Some patients may notice a burning or tingling sensation 24-48 hours before sores begin to appear.

Canker sores come in several types including major, minor, and herpetiform.

  • Major Canker Sores:  Less common than minor canker sores, major sores are deeper, larger, and can be very painful.  Major canker sores are generally round and have defined borders but may have irregular borders if very large.  Healing time can take up to six weeks and can leave scars.
  • Minor Canker Sores:  The most common type of canker sore.  Generally the sores are small, have an oval shape with red border, and heal without scarring within one to two weeks.
  • Herpetiform Canker Sores:  Usually herpetiform canker sores form later in life and are uncommon.  Despite the name, these sores are not caused by the herpes virus.  Herpetiform sores are very small (pinpoint sized), often form in clusters of 10-100 sores that may merge into one large sore, can have irregular borders, and generally heal in one to two weeks without leaving scars.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing canker sores does not require tests as a dentist or doctor can visually identify them.  Should canker sores be ongoing and severe, some tests may be ordered to rule out other health problems.

Treatment

While treatment generally isn’t necessary for minor canker sores, painful or persistent sores may require medical treatment.  Treatment options may include:

  • Mouth Rinses:  A dentist or doctor may prescribe steroid containing mouth rinses to combat pain and inflammation.  Rinses containing lidocaine can also be used to relieve pain.
  • Topical Products:  Several prescription and over-the-counter products are available to relieve pain while speeding up the healing process.  Some common active ingredients in these topical products include Benzocaine (Abnesol, Orabase), Fluocinonide (Vanos, Lidex), and Hydrogen Peroxide (Peroxyl, Orajel Antiseptic).
  • Oral Medications:  If topical treatments fail, oral medications may be used to treat sores.  Because some of these medications, such as oral steroids, can have serious side effects, these medications are generally a last resort and must be used under close doctor supervision.
  • Cautery of Sores:  Cautery involves burning or searing tissue using a chemical substance or instrument.  Debacterol and silver nitrate are two examples of chemical options that can be used to treat canker sores and gum problems.
  • Nutritional Supplements:  If the doctor believes the canker sores are related to a nutritional deficiency, they may prescribe supplements such as vitamin B, zinc, or folate to boost the immune system and restore nutrient levels.

More on Fixing Sensitive Teeth