What are canker sores?
Canker sores (also
called aphthous ulcers) are different than fever blisters. They are small, red
or white, shallow ulcers occurring on the tongue, soft palate, or inside the
lips and cheeks; they do not occur in the roof of the mouth or the gums. They
are quite painful, and usually last 5-10 days.
Eighty percent of the
U.S. population between the ages of 10 to 20, most often women, get canker
sores. The best available evidence suggests that canker sores result from an
altered local immune response associated with stress, trauma, or irritation.
Acidic foods (e.g., tomatoes, citrus fruits, and some nuts) are known to cause
irritation in some patients.
Are canker sores contagious? How are they treated?
Because they are not
caused by bacteria or viral agents, they are not contagious and cannot be
spread locally or to anyone else. Treatment is directed toward relieving
discomfort and guarding against infection. A topical corticosteroid preparation
such as triamcinolone dental paste (Kenalog in Orabase 0.1%®) is helpful.
When should a physician be consulted?
Consider consulting a
physician if a mouth sore has not healed within two weeks. Mouth sores offer an
easy way for germs and viruses to get into the body, so it is easy for
infections to develop.
People who consume
alcohol, smokers, smokeless tobacco users, chemotherapy or radiation patients,
bone marrow or stem cell recipients, or patients with weak immune systems
should also consider having regular oral screenings by a physician. The first
sign of oral cancer is a mouth sore that does not heal.
What kind of screenings are performed?
The physician will
most likely examine the head, face, neck, lips, gums, and high-risk areas
inside the mouth, such as the floor of the mouth, the area under the tongue,
the front and sides of the tongue, and the roof of the mouth or soft palate. If
a suspicious lesion is found, the physician may recommend collecting and
testing soft tissue from the oral cavity.
